Meet B&T’s Best Of The Best Mentors, Turning Promising Into Exceptional, Presented By Finecast, Part Of GroupM Nexus
Everyone needs a comforting hand on the shoulder, a point in the right direction and a bit of friendly constructive criticism every now and then — especially in adland.
It’s at those junctures that people need a good mentor to help them out. Now, while no mentorship is ever really bad, there are some figures in the industry who are transformative in the lives and careers of their mentees. We’re sure you can guess who some of these might be but, as ever, B&T is here to reveal the Best of the Best, Presented by Finecast, part of GroupM Nexus.
Every week on B&T, we’re rounding up the best people in a range of disciplines across adland. Last week, we had the best Project Managers and, before that, the best Recruiters.
In the coming weeks and months, we will be revealing the Best of the Best in the following categories: Public Relations – Consumer, Strategist – Media, Developer, Casting Director, Industry Association Chief, Experiential Producer, Social Change Maker, Journalist, HR, Planning Director – Media, and Marketer.
Everyone always asks how we come up with these lists and, frankly, it’s an inexact science. We talk to all our industry insiders to produce a long list of names and then, as an editorial team, we shout and bicker across the office to whittle that list down to just 10. So, with that out the way, here are adland’s Best of the Best Mentors.
10. Andy Procopis, head of campaign design & delivery, ARN
Leading ARN’s campaigns team, Procopis is responsible for one of the most important teams within the radio network and has previously been a nominee for the Mentor category in B&T‘s Best of the Best Awards. “Getting to coach and support the people I work with is one of my favourite parts of the job” he said when the shortlist was announced and that certainly hasn’t changed. With Procopis on board, everyone at ARN stands to benefit.
9. Lara Brownlow, head of channel sales APAC, LinkedIn
Brownlow is the first of many members of the IMAA’s Female Leaders of Tomorrow programme on this list and she has helped countless people throughout her near-decade at LinkedIn. She has openly spoken about the mentors who made her, saying she was “blessed to have crossed paths with some of the most remarkable and giving mentors”. Brownlow has also helped elevate the careers of LinkedIn staff from around APAC and regularly talks about the role of leadership within organisations.
8. Nikki Rooke, Sydney sales director, Nine
If you want to get ahead in the world of media sales, you could barely do better Rooke. She’s part of the IMAA’s Female Leaders programme and has openly spoken about the importance of being safe to approach and showing mentees that you believe in them. She leads Nine’s award-winning sales team, showing that she is able to improve the work and lives of her dedicated mentees as well as her regular reports.
7. Melinda Petrunoff, managing director, Australia & New Zealand, Pinterest
Petrunoff has one of the most important jobs in the world of digital media and, while Pinterest goes from strength to strength, she also makes time to help the industry’s young guns get ahead. Another member of the IMAA’s Female Leaders programme, Petrunoff dedicates her precious time to elevating the next generation of women. She also sits on the IAB’s Executive Technology Council, offering oversight on the digital advertising world.
6. Katie Rigg-Smith, chief strategy officer, Australia & New Zealand, WPP
Promoted to the chief strategy role at WPP last year, Rigg-Smith is a titan in Australia’s adland. However, she has been a mentor for up-and-comers in the industry for many, many years. In fact, she has been part of The Marketing Academy’s mentorship programmes since 2015 and has coached some of the industry’s current best and brightest in that time. Another face on B&T‘s Women in Media Power List (she came 17th this year, if you’re keeping score) she is also a regular speaker on leadership and all manner of topics, using her wisdom to help others that she doesn’t directly mentor, as well.
5. Melissa Fein, CEO, Initiative
Rarely a day goes by when we’re not mentioning Fein here on B&T. She was our Women in Media Woman of the Year and our Best of the Best Mentor last year. We’re not saying that Fein has become a worse mentor with her fifth place here, just that the competition is very, very strong. Under her tenure, Initiative has grown to become a powerhouse within the industry and much of that success has come from her mentorship and empowerment of the agency’s young guns.
4. Emma Robbins, executive creative director, M&C Saatchi Melbourne
Female ECDs can be hard to come by, making Robbins’ career impressive and instructive to others within advertising. Fortunately, Robbins is generous with her time as part of The Aunties — the adland mentoring group of powerful women and the next generation. Robbins is part of The Aunties’ senior mentorship program designed for women with between five and 10 years in the industry looking for wisdom, guidance and support as they navigate their way towards leadership.
3. Margie Reid, CEO, Thinkerbell
Reid has had an exceptional career in advertising, having previously served at OMD and UM. But, moving to Thinkerbell in 2017, saw her take on a leadership role within the independent shop and bring some order to the creativity chaos. Since then, the team has grown to 160-strong and many of those staff have come straight from university and progressed up the ladder with the agency — with Reid playing a big and important role in their success. She is also a mentor to university entrants working with The Aunties and The Trenches. That kind of impact is hard to overstate.
2. Cathy O’Connor, CEO, oOh!media
O’Connor is one of the most powerful women in media. In fact, she came second in our Women in Media Power List just last month. But, with great power comes great responsibility and O’Connor is certainly no stranger to taking mentorship of other future leaders very seriously. She’s one of the IMAA’s Female Leaders of Tomorrow programme that pairs experienced industry heads with impressive up-and-comers from around the indie agency scene. What’s more, Danielle O’Meara, oOh!’s NSW sales director has personally thanked her boss for leading her through a moment when she “battled with my career aspirations versus starting a family.”
1. Sarah Scott Paul, head of people & culture – Australia, Enero Group
Scott Paul is not only a very deserving winner for our Mentor category but she’s a popular winner here at B&T. Last month, Scott Paul took home the trophy in the Mentor category during our Women in Media Awards and, frankly, it’s very hard to think of anyone who has made more of an impact on her company and the people who work within it. She’s spent the last decade making Enero a better place to work for its staff through various initiatives and developing a human-centric learning culture consisting of more than 50 courses for staff to undertake. Some 180 leaders have graduated through her courses to date, making her impact unmistakable.
Please login with linkedin to comment
Best of the bestLatest News
‘Blair Is Mr Happy, Beau Is Mr Dopey, I’m Mr Grumpy’ – Top Gear Australia Hosts Reveal What It Was Really Like Filming
Top Gear features the cars you could never afford to drive. It's a bit like the bogan's Gourmet Traveller, really.
Nine’s Total TV Sales Lead Richard Hunwick To Step Down
Nine's Richard Hunwick calls time after 15 years. Hoping for a last trip to the Olympics before getting the gold watch.
Yahoo Academy Culminates With Pitch-Off For Musicians Making A Difference With Trip To Cannes In Cairns On The Line
B&T happy to support the Musicians Making A Difference initiative. Particularly any that encourages more Watusi.
TV Ratings 16/5/24: Nearly 2 Million Tune In To See Sky Blues Win In Women’s State Of Origin
B&T does make jokes about the Budget reply speech but, to his credit, Mr Potato Head rated OK last night.
Binge Launches “Scene:Scents” Sensory Entertainment Campaign, Via Thinkerbell
There's now scented candles to pair with BINGE shows. We're hoping Rex Hunt's Fishing Adventures doesn't hear about it.
Jolt Partners With Veridooh For Verification Of Its EV Charger Placements In UK
Although B&T's an avid supporter of EV cars, we'd definitely miss the smell of petrol and the service station pie.
Nine Ad Manager Named Principal Sponsor Of CommBank SmallBiz Week
CommBank's SmallBiz Week is coming to Melbourne on the 29-30 May. B&T's as confused as you are on how that's a week.
Pet Circle & Seven Communications Partner On “Pawtition” To Get Pets On Public Transport
B&T's concerned about the fleas, urine & faeces on public transport - and that's just from fellow passengers!
‘A Win-Win’ – How The Matildas Helped CommBank Become A ‘Globally Iconic Brand’ For The First Time
CommBank's sponsorship of the Matildas is a sport marketing masterclass. The opposite to Nick Kyrgios & his sponsors.
VML Australia Dominates The One Show With 5 Gold Pencils
VML Australia flying the flag at the One Show Awards in New York. Not that we need more flag waving at the moment.
Social Soup: Consumers Looking For “Informative” Not “Funny” Social Content When Making Buying Decisions
In a further blow to ventriloquism everywhere, new research says consumers prefer information over funny videos.
GIO Unveils New “Protect Precious” Brand Positioning & Campaign, Via Ogilvy
Insurer asks what's precious in our lives in new work. Which is better than asking is this business highly flammable.
Digitas & Heckler Singapore Launch Animated Symphony For Riot Game’s Valorant Champions Tour Pacific
Stony silence between you and the graphic arts team at Friday drinks? This gaming news could be an ice breaker.
Wavemaker Global CEO Toby Jenner Appointed Global President, GroupM Clients
Wavemaker’s Toby Jenner continues his career trajectory. But is it enough to move him up to the first class lounge?
Fast 10: Mindshare Head Honcho Maria Grivas On Her “Resting Smiling Face”
Mindshare is having a very fruitful 2024. Here, CEO Maria Grivas reveals her fertilisers & pruning tips to success.
Real Home Care Clients & Staff Star In New HammondCare Campaign
Aged care commercial uses real life clients & staff. B&T has not contacted the actor's union for comment.
Mutinex’s Henry Innis: “I’m Imperfect As A Leader”
Mutinex is being touted as one of the hottest start-ups in the land. And we don't mean that in an Elizabeth Holmes way.
Slew Of Senior Hires At Sparro by Brainlabs & Jack Nimble
B&T loves to report new hires as it shows the healthy state of the industry. That and cocaine usage at work functions.
Initiative’s Fein, Geer, Colter To Depart For Accenture Song
As you read first in B&T, there are significant comings-and-goings at Initiative. Though mainly goings, if we're honest.
Pizza Hut Fined $2.5m For Spamming Customers
To be honest, if you're going to spam customers, cheap pizza deals is probably on the low side of the dodgy scale.
Jetstar & Qantas Perception Ratings Soar After Bonza Cancelled Flights, YouGov Finds
This poll is further proof nothing builds a positive brand image like your competitor monumentally f@cking up.
Pedigree Launches AI-Powered Ad Initiative To Give All Dogs A Home, Via Colenso BBDO & Nexus Studios
B&T encourages this dog adoption initiative. And that's despite us barely being able to look after our own selves.
Apparent Launches “All Heart, No hassle” Integrated Campaign For Flight Centre’s Corporate Traveller
Apparent charged with Flight Centre's Corporate Traveller creative. Has avoided any gags about stolen hotel bathrobes.
South African Tourism CMO: ‘We Want Consumers To Experience SA Through The Eyes Of A Child’
B&T chats with South African tourism's Aussie CMO. Admittedly, we had to quickly rectify our Barossa Valley questions.
Market Research Firm TRA Names KFC’s “Look On the Fried Side Of Life” As Australia’s Favourite Ad
A poll of everyday Aussies has revealed our favourite ads. And it'll make difficult reading for the Harvey Norman team.
‘A Big, Big Step In The Right Direction’: Media Buyers React To News Corp’s D_Coded
There was a universal thumbs up for News' D_Coded event. Although there were calls for glitter bombs at the finale.
CommBank Announced As Presenting Partner Of Vogue Codes 2024
Vogue Codes is a top initiative encouraging women into STEM-based careers. All while wearing Jimmy Choos, apparently.
Brad Garbutt Joins OMA As Marketing Lead
Seasoned adlander Garbutt joins the outdoor association. Says he's got the DOOH down pat, but working on the PDOOH.
TV Ratings 15/5/24: Gruen Pulls A Crowd For Aunty As It Enters 16th Season
Although B&T typically shuns predictions, we're expecting big numbers for Peter Dutton's Budget reply speech tonight.
D_Coded panel: ‘If You Are A Marketer Handling Data And Haven’t Spoken To Legal, You’re In Trouble’
This fiery panel was a highlight of Tuesday's D_Coded event. Not that it spilled out into the carpark.
SBS Audio Campaign Tells The Stories Of New Australians, With Multilingual Content Offerings To Assist Migrants
SBS Audio has launched a new marketing campaign for its ‘Australia Explained’ service which supports new migrants to successfully navigate life in Australia and achieve a greater sense of belonging and social cohesion. SBS’s flagship service for new migrants, Australia explained, has launched a multi-platform marketing campaign that reaches into the heart of the migrant […]
Tracker App Launches, Promising Consumers A Read On Brand’s & Products Sustainability Chops
Shoppers can now get access to sustainability information at their fingertips through Tracker, a first-of-its-kind mobile app. The Tracker app centralises sustainability data into a single, easy-to-understand format, helping shoppers make informed choices about the brands and products they support. Shoppers can simply scan the barcode of their favourite supermarket, chemist or department store item […]
Channel Factory Expands Team Across Australia & New Zealand By 20%
Social media agency Channel Factory announces a significant lift in staff numbers. Doesn't thank Tuesday's Budget.
Jaywing Extends Strategy Team Appointing Fran Martin As Senior Brand Strategist
As is often said, you can never have too much strategy. Same can't be said of programmatic & AI.
Tourism Tasmania Taps Broadsheet For Latest “Off Season” Campaign Iteration
Do you like to drape yourself in sheepskin, flannelette & weird, wooly hats? Tasmania in winter is for you.
Netball WA Appoints 303 MullenLowe As Brand Strategy partner
Netball WA appoints 303 MullenLowe for its brand strategy. Any mention of Gina also now strictly forbidden.