Havas PR Australia CEO Simone Gupta Reveals The Best And Worst PR She’s Ever Seen
After recently being promoted to the new role of CEO at Havas PR Australia, Simone Gupta revealed what she considers to be the worst example of public relations, and how she’d fix it.
As an experienced communications professional, Simone Gupta has either led, headed, or sat on the boards of some of the United Kingdom and Australia’s leading PR, social and marketing agencies.
She’s also an active proponent in the gender equality discussion. As well as hosting industry panels on women in senior creative and management roles, Gupta was the founding deputy chair of PR industry body the PR Council of Australia, the founding chairperson of girls’ rights charity One Woman at a Time, and is an experienced leadership coach.
Recently, Gupta took the time to answer a few questions about herself and her industry, revealing who she admires, her biggest mistakes, and what she considers the best and worst use of PR that she’s encountered.
She also revealed why she would be in Africa, contributing to the valuable work of One Woman at a Time, if she weren’t working in our industry.
There’s that and more in this quickfire Q+A with one of PR’s leading professionals, Simone Gupta.
Simone, what advice would you give your younger self?
- To thine own self be true—Shakespeare knew what he was talking about.
- Follow the green lights (Matthew McConaughey has taken this one from me).
- Don’t try and solve the world’s problems in one day, life happens one day at a time.
What were your biggest mistakes and what would you do differently?
I feel fortunate that I don’t look back and see mistakes; I usually see stepping-stones to where I land. And it changes. I sometimes wonder if I’d have set up my own agency where I would be now.
Who do you admire most in the industry?
Michelle Hutton is my number one inspiration for bossing PR agency leadership with determination and empathy. Also Chris Brown, my old boss at DDB, and who is now CMO at Maccas.
Chris is a quick thinker and incredible problem solver. He gave me the confidence to bring my authentic self to leadership. Both, Michelle and Chris, like to have a giggle along the way. Maintaining a sense of humour is important.
Simone, what’s the worst example of public relations that you can think of, and why?
The Crown—The Real Crown. A hierarchy of dysfunctional comms teams supporting senior royals, embedded in a toxic relationship with UK media owners and editors, all working on conflicting agendas.
How would you put out that fire, as a PR professional?
Family therapy.
And, on the flip side, can you think of the best instance you’ve ever seen?
Alan Joyce, Andrew McGinnes and the Qantas team. How Joyce has communicated with employees, the media and government over the past 12 months is world class.
If you weren’t working in our industry, where would you be?
Leadership coaching and working with inspiring leaders who are doing meaningful work.
I recently started a love affair with Africa, through work I did with One Woman at a Time, an NGO that helps pay for girls to go to school and university in Kenya.
The girls have escaped child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).
There has been a significant increase of child marriage and cases of FGM due to schools closing for to COVID-19, and the girls play a role in the village economy—the girls are married off in exchange for a dowry of livestock.
I would like to go back and continue working with the community leaders and teachers who are doing incredible work.
What particularly blows your mind about your industry?
The impact of technology. We’ve moved from faxing press releases and manually scouring through publications for coverage to launching multiple campaigns a week (sometimes a day) and holding virtual media events.
What’s a hidden talent of yours?
Qualified yoga teacher—not teaching these days, but our incredible head of people Thierry Lalchere convinced me to host a weekly Zoom yoga class for the Havas Village during lockdown. Stretching and breathing matters.
What has been your greatest source of pride during your journey?
That the industry and I have evolved together to the point that I can manage a senior role and parent, with the help of an incredibly supportive husband and the Havas Village team.
Is there something—perhaps a quality—that has helped you succeed?
Clear communication and empathy.
The 30 Under 30 Awards will be held at The Factory Theatre, Sydney on Thursday, 15 April.
If you’d like more information on the event, head to this website.
Other key information
- People’s Choice Poll launches Wednesday, 3 March 2021
- Judging period: Wednesday, 3 March to Friday, 19 March 2021
- Shortlist announced Wednesday, 24 March 2021
- Early bird tickets close at 11.59pm Wednesday, 2 April 2021
- Full price tickets on sale at 12am Thursday, 3rd April 2021 (until sold out)
- People’s Choice Poll closes Friday, 26 March 2021.
Thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this event possible.
Latest News
Enjoy A Hahn Solo… And May The Fourth Be With You
This May the fourth Hahn will celebrate alongside Star Wars fans rewarding their passion via a giant Hahn travelling solo through the sky. It’s the one day of the year when all sci-fi fans rejoice and giggle to themselves and Hahn in partnership with Thinkerbell, UM and Affinity is celebrating with an out of this […]
DMARGE Founder Unveils Creator-Led Social Media Agency Feedstar
New creator-led social media agency Feedstar to be aimed directly at Gen Zs. Well, they'd hardly want print, would they?
TV Ratings (02/05/2024): A total of 1,753,000 Aussies Witness Port Adelaide’s Defeat
Seven's AFL numbers almost double that of the NRL last night. The NRL still easily winning for ruptured ACLs.
Hotglue Cashes In With La Trobe Financial Digital Media Account
Hotglue staffers learning their cashflows from their collaterals today after nabbing La Trobe Financial's digital media.
M&C Saatchi’s Sydney Creative Lead Exits
B&T's stopping short of calling it a revolving door at M&C at the present, but there's definitely heat on the hinges.
Taylor Swift’s Music Re-Enters TikTok As Universal Pens Landmark Deal
Yes, B&T may have spent 152 hours failing to get Taylor Swift tickets, but, as you'll read here, it's all behind us now.
HAVAS Red launches inaugural Influencer White Paper
Havas Red has debuted its first influencer white paper. Unless you print it out in colour, of course.
Two Sides Global Campaign Reports Increasing Greenwashing As Organisations Focus On Sustainability
New report confirms greenwashing's on the rise. Apparently Mars' 'work, rest & play' claims also under investigation.
Aruga Launches New HQ & Changed Ownership Structure
PR agency Aruga proves Brisbane is 'so hot right now'. So hot in fact, Adelaide's had to go on anti-anxiety meds.
Delicious & American Express Partner To Launch Month Out 2024 In Sydney
Cost of living got you eating noodles prepared in the two-minute style? Why not live vicariously through this.
Aussie Ad Market Continues Decline In March
The belt-tightening in adland shows signs of a turnaround soon. Bar the belt-loosening at the all-you-can-eat buffet.
VMA Focuses On Skills And Training For Members
If there was a post-COVID hangover (bar the anti-vax ranters) it was the rise in skills shortages. Here's another one.
Nearly 90% Of Consumers Want Transparency About AI Images, Finds Getty Images Report
Study finds consumers want transparency around AI images. Couldn't care less about photoshopped magazine covers.
The National Breast Cancer Foundation Partners With VML To Boost Funds
Anyone else feel we've exhausted the office morning tea for cancer? B&T proposes the office moonshine still instead.
Perry ‘Pez’ Lazaris Named New National Hit Network Announcer
Why is it mandatory for the media to only publish the nicknames of people in radio & underworld crime figures?
Before Adland: Garry Dawson’s Journey From Teacher To Marketer
Here, the Hopeful Monsters marketer talks his shift from the classroom to the room wherever marketers congregate.
Scott Cam Urges Tradies To Prioritise Sun Protection
The Block host promoting sun protection to tradies. Also, don't try getting into the RSL after 6pm wearing high viz.
PubMatic Study: Advertising On Retail Media Is 50% More Effective Than Social Media
New study finds retail media 50% more effective than social. B&T says two-for-one Tim Tams trumps the lot.
From MOWING to life GROWING: Jim Penman launches ‘Life Coaching’ services
Can't decide on getting the hedges trimmed or finding a deeper meaning to life? You're in luck with this new venture.
Budweiser Brazil Turns Songs That Name Drop The Iconic Brand Into Spotify Ads
It's strange that Budweiser never found a market among beer-swilling Aussies. Then again, neither did the fluffy duck.
Effie Worldwide Strengthens Board With 6 New Members
B&T hopes everyone's wearing their Maseur sandals at the Effies, as it's standing room only at the next board meeting.
Special Enlist A Penguin Named Nigel In Latest Energy Campaign For Contact
Special unveils Nigel the penguin in work for energy provider Contact. Apparently Percy the peacock was booked.
Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth & George Miller Ignite Sydney For Epic Mad Max Launch
The Mad Max film franchise is Australia's cinematic gift to the world. That & Chris Hemsworth's near perfect cheekbones.
IAS Launches First-To-Market Integration With Roblox To Provide 3D Immersive Measurement
Always thought you could do with better 3D immersive measurement? Happy days are ahead here.
Fast And Furious: Top Gear Australia Launch Thrilled Motorheads, Car Entusiasts And Guests
B&T is still no closer to knowing who the new Stig is, except that she is a woman and a ridiculously fast.
TV Ratings (02/05/2024): Seven’s The 1% Club Wins The Night
The 1% club did not live up to its name when it comes to TV ratings last night.
TRA Welcomes Raft Of New Hires; Bolstering Expertise Across Markets
Insights and research agency TRA announces slew of new hires. Still no news on the return of marble wash denim, however.
CX Lavender Hires Boston Consulting Group’s Kim Verbrugghe as Chief Strategy Officer
CX Lavender announces new strategy hire and channels 'acoustic folk act at local RSL' for the publicity pic.
Opinion: Community standards, will they be the death of us?
This columnist is talking community standards. Sadly not those people who put dogs in trolleys in supermarkets.
Tegel gets heads bobbing with new free-range chicken platform
Sure, there's a lot of moral considerations when buying a chook. Yet, not as baffling as buying eggs or canned tuna.
Study: 66% of Aussie men believe masculinity is under attack
Two-thirds of Aussie blokes say masculinity's under attack. That said, sales of Solo lemon drink appear robust.
‘Equal Writes’: Canyon reveals new campaign and refreshed brand for women and non-binary writers
As this brand redesign again proves, nothing beats black on white. Well, white on black in this instance.
Icon Agency bolsters consumer and integrated offer with major hires
Icon Agency unveils new recruits. As press photo confirms office moustache competition now a lay-down misère.
Clemenger launches agricultural graduate program
Has Farmer Wants A Wife triggered an interest in dagging & hay balers? This grads program may resonate.
Levi’s Appoint UM As Global Media Agency For $217m Account
Levi's are the jeans for rockstars, models & the cool kids. Although that's not stopped dads from ruining their image.
QMS Nabs Sean Rigby From oOh!media
Things set to get spicy at the next Outdoor Media Association dinner and dance as a rival gets poached.