Take It To HR… B&T’s Best Of The Best People Leaders, Presented By Finecast, Part Of GroupM Nexus
Peter Drucker once said “Culture eats strategy for breakfast,” and it is easy to see why.
Strategy may be important, but unless you have a team of highly engaged, happy, and competent people working for you, it just won’t happen.
Having the best talent makes the best agencies, and with a tight labour force, attracting and retaining the top players has never been more important.
With four generations now in the workforce together it has also never been more important for everyone to feel included.
This is why B&T is celebrating the top HR leaders. Without further talk from me, here is the top 10!
10. Trudi Sampola, Director of People and Culture, Nature
There are few places you’d rather work than Nature. With a heavy focus on learning and development, Nature is somewhere that attracts people with a growth mindset.
At Nature, regular rituals such as team shoutouts mean that no good deed goes unnoticed. It is also B-Corp certified for Australi and NZ – so there’s the feel-good factor too.
As director of people and culture, Trudi Sampola is the person who makes the magic happen.
She has spent nearly two decades helping to build amazing teams and has previously held roles at HERO Agency, carsales.com.au, and Ikon Communications.
She is an expert in strategy AND culture, making everyone feel like an individual rather than just an employee.
9.Lucinda Kitney, Talent and Culture Lead, Match & Wood
Match & Wood is an agency famed for its work culture and Lucinda Kitney is the person behind the strong reputation.
She has been at Match & Wood for more than five years, starting as a communications manager in 2018.
It was during this time the agency started to gain significant attention: even being named a runner-up for Campaign Brief WA Media Agency of the Year in 2019.
A well-respected industry lead, Kitney climbed through the ranks at Match & Wood, becoming culture and talent lead in November 2022.
Someone also keen to upskill, Kitney is a mental health first aider and takes the mental well-being of everyone at Match & Wood very seriously.
8. Kristy Camarillo, Head of People and Culture, The Royals
A regular finalist in B&T’s women in media awards, Camarillo has worked with some of the biggest agencies and brands in Australia.
Before becoming culture champion at The Royals she worked at the likes of M&C Saatchi and DDB New Zealand and has more than 15 years’ experience in people management roles.
A natural leader, Camarillo is easily able to engage people and has strong relationship-building skills.
Passionate about both people and results, Camarillo is able to build cultures where everyone thrives! What’s not to love?
7. Sarah Scott Paul, head of people & culture – Australia, Enero Group
Here at B&T, we can’t help unashamedly giving rewards to Sarah Scott Paul. Scott Paul was named number one in our mentor category – and was also recognised at the women in media awards.
As much as we didn’t want to give Scott Paul another award (we hear she has run out of shelf space), frankly, it is impossible to name the top ten people leaders without naming her.
She’s undoubtedly made Enero one of the best places to work and is a fierce advocate of learning and development.
Staff at Enero are able to take as many as 50 courses and, with 180 leaders having taken her courses to date, there is no doubt that she is shaping the industry.
6. Jessica Howse, National Head of People, OMD Australia
Jessica Howse is a highly respected HR leader with experience across a wide range of industries.
As national head of people at OMD Australia, famed for its family-friendly work policies, Howse has a huge amount of impact on the industry as a whole.
Prior to joining OMD, Howse was a human resources business partner at Nine. Before that, she was chief of people at a hedge fund in the UK.
Many in the industry speak highly of Howse, praising her for her communication and professionalism which one fan described as “second to none”.
The industry is certainly better for having Howse in it!
5.Ferrah Dagli, Chief People Officer, Dentsu
A leader in change, Ferrah Dagli has more than 15 years’ of experience managing transformation and change projects.
At Dentsu, she is responsible for leading the development and implementation of ANZ’s integrated people agenda.
Here she is focused on preparing Dentsu for the business needs of tomorrow which includes building a culture where everyone can thrive and differences are celebrated.
Dagli’s career has spanned the entire spectrum of HR. Not content with just being successful in Australia, she also boasts international experience and has worked at businesses in London including HSBC and Willis Towers Watson.
4. Alexia Bryant, Chief Talent Officer, IPG Mediabrands
Alexia Bryant is someone quite simply who is great to have on your team.
Since joining IPG Mediabrands in 2019, her boundless enthusiasm and exceptional people skills have helped her win promotion after promotion. She became chief talent officer back in 2021 and has made her impact felt ever since.
It isn’t always easy managing the industry’s top talent, but Bryant is someone who does so with ease. She is able to easily build rapport and a strong working relationship with the huge variety of leaders across IPG Mediabrands.
Before joining IPG Mediabrands, Bryant had roles XE.com, HiFX New Zealand, and People Logic in London.
3. Hannah Jones, Group General Manager, Sparro
Sparro is an indie that is continuously praised for its work culture, and Hannah Jones is one of the key individuals responsible for building and maintaining it.
A few months ago Sparro was named one of the best work places in the industry, and it has been specifically recognised as a great place to work for women.
Anyone who has been lucky enough to meet Hannah Jones has only good things to say about her, she is someone who brings energy to everything she does and is an asset to any team.
There is no doubt that she is going places.
Now group general manager at Sparro, she has previously held roles at APD and Webjet.com.au.
2. Pauly Grant, Chief Talent Officer, ANZ & APAC, Publicis Groupe
Good leaders get the job done and great leaders change the game. Pauly Grant is a great leader.
She has been recognised for multiple changemaker wards, for example, she was named the HR Management Champion in Campaign Asia’s 2022 Women Leading Change Awards.
Under her leadership, Publicis Groupe has regularly been noted as a great place to work and was listed on the 2022 & 2023 AFR Boss Best Places to Work list.
With nearly 20 years of experience in media, she is immensely passionate about the industry and the people in it.
The employees of Publicis Groupe are lucky to have her!
1. Scott Laird, Chief People Officer, GroupM
Scott Laird is an award-winning HR leader, who has a proven track record of being head of the curve when it comes to all things people.
He is someone who, excuse my French, gives a f*ck. Internally at GroupM, he has been heavily involved with the Black Dog Institute, looking at how Search can be used to prevent suicide.
He was also named Chair of the MFA People Steering Committee – where he’s leading industry efforts around DEI, People, and culture.
During his four years at Initiative, Laird helped the agency win a number of people and culture accolades. He led the agency’s Pride in Diversity relationship and oversaw Initiative achieving Mental Health Skilled Workplace Gold in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Talka bout heart-centred leadership!
Latest News
ABC Launches Two New Channels Combining Kids, Family & General Titles
The ABC will introduce two new channels in June—ABC Family and ABC Entertains—and four new innovative digital streams that will combine the best kids’, family, and general entertainment titles. The new channels will make it easier for audiences to find the programs they love. They will showcase the ABC’s catalogue of family and entertainment programs […]
Wests Tigers Lose One Million Dollar Sponsorship Deal In Hagipantelis Fallout
The Wests Tigers have confirmed that Brydens Lawyers will end their one-million-dollar partnership with the club at the end of the 2024 season. The law firm first joined the club in 2015 and upgraded to a principal shirtfront partnership in 2016. In an official statement shared to the Tigers’ website today, it was announced the […]
Ads That Entertain And Surprise Consumers Perform Best In Asia-Pacific – WARC report
New study reveals humorous ads "entertain and surprise consumers". Here's hoping Julia Morris doesn't get any ideas.
Aussie Employees Want AI At Work And Won’t Wait For Companies To Catch Up, Study Finds
Someone has clearly told Aussie workers AI wont steal their jobs, but might help them get to the pub more quickly.
Introducing Sam, Mamamia’s New AI-Powered Programmatic Audio Offering For Brands
Mamamia one of the first indie publishers to be really playing in the AI space. Well, the only one really.
OMA Appoints Motio’s Adam Cadwallader & JCDecaux David Watkins To Board Of Directors
New appointments to the OMA board of directors today. Monthly meetings' finger sandwiches to remain strictly egg or ham.
Bastion’s Harry Roth Selected For Cannes Lions Creative Academy
Bastion's Harry Roth off to this year's Cannes creative academy. May wear his Wallabies jersey to ruffle feathers.
TV Ratings (08/05/2024): Seven Has A Huge Night As News & Quiz Shows Dominate
News & quiz shows dominate last night's TV viewing. Further proof of our interest in the Middle East & steak knives.
Network 10 Wants Government Help To Save Regional Broadcast TV
Could Farmer Wants A Wife help Network Ten out of this mess?
Royalties Generated By Aussie Artists On Spotify Reached Nearly $275M In 2023
Royalties generated by Aussie artists on Spotify in 2023 hit $275 million. Shannon Noll's contribution reached $4.45.
eBay Study: Aussies’ Growing Love For Pre-loved Fashion Soaring To New Heights
New study reveals Aussies' love of second-hand fashion. Meaning it's now very cool to smell of moth balls.
Bud Communications Expands APAC Footprint With Australian Office Launch
Singapore-based PR & content agency Bud specialises in disruptor brands, not marijuana ones as the name may infer.
Coles Group Ranks Number One In Disability Access & Inclusion
Hats off to Coles for this top work. Now if it could only get its trolleys to run straight & its pears a bit less hairy.
Is Alone Australia Coming For MAFS & Survivor?
SBS's Alone Australia proving such a hit with viewers, B&T is rather surprised the commercial networks haven't nicked it.
AFR Pulls Plug On Newspapers In WA After Printing Costs Soar
West Australians will now have to rely on That's Life & Iron Ore Weekly for their weekly print fix.
Spotify Delivers A “Masterclass” In Curating User Experiences For Listeners & Artists
As you'll read here, there's more to Spotify than meets the eye. Or, in this case the ear, it being an audible property.
REA Group Delivers Booming Q3 Performance
It's yet further proof the property market is so hot right now. Still not hot enough to save Godfrey's vacuums, however.
iProspect Reveals 2024 Level Up Committee Cohort
iProspect unveils shadow executive leadership team. Staffers warned to be on the lookout when nicking off early.
Surge In Kayo Subscriptions Helps Foxtel Offset Broadcast Declines; News Corp Q3 Revenue Flat
One thing Aussies love is sport. Yet, one thing they hate is paying for it. So, make of this news what you will.
DEPT Doubles Down On Creativity With New APAC Executive Creative Director
Global digital agency announces Brad Stevens as ECD. Says he's happy to go by 'Braddles' or the unimaginative 'Stevo'.
JCDecaux Unveils Giant Melbourne Wrap Around OOH Site
If a worrying vitamin D deficiency isn't enough to get you outdoors, then hopefully this new JCDecaux installation will.
Brazilian Ad Agency Africa Creative Releases Powerful Gay Conversion Therapy Film
The Cure sounds like the serious sequel to Hangover III, let's hope it delivers some sobering food for thought.
Spotlight On Sponsors: PGA Championship Becomes First Men’s Major To Sign Sports Betting Partner
The game of golf is a lot like Lindsay Lohan, Jägermeister or holidaying in Kuta - you never know if it's cool or not.
Mackenzie Arnold & Tony Gustavsson To Take Part In Inspiring Conversation At Vivid Sydney
Matilda's goalie & coach in conversation at this year's Vivid. Won't be conversing about Sam Kerr's ACL, however.
Smart Speakers Stung By Ad Fraud Costing Brands $1M Per Month, Says DoubleVerify
Be wary of a Nigerian sounding bloke that claims he is Kochie and pimping crypto on a smart speaker near you.
Contiki Challenges Influencers To ‘Switch On Social Travel’ In New Campaign Via We Are Social
Contiki wants influencers to give up irritating selfies on holiday by funding them to create irritating selfies. Genius.
“We Are In Our Epic Era”: Natalie Harvey On The Big Changes Coming As Mamamia Celebrates 10 Years Of Podcasting
Natalie Harvey has taken on the Mamamia CEO's chair that B&T hopes sports a mashed pumpkin vomit stain.
TV Ratings (07/05/2024) : Team USA Become First Female Team To Win LEGO Masters Australia
It's not been a great day for Australia - out early in Eurovision, crushed by the Yanks in Lego Masters.
GroupM Hires Former Amazon Ads Global Head Of Services
GroupM poaches Amazon's Mark Lomas to lead its retail media business. Says he has no opinion on Jeff Bezos' new yacht.
It’s All About The Indies! Introducing B&T’s Best Of The Best Indie Executive Creative Leaders 🎉
Indie agencies are thriving & it's mostly thanks to these industry leaders. And their delegating to the lackeys.
Introducing BrandComms.AI, Forethought Revolutionises How Brands Do Effective Creative
Marketing & strategy agency Forethought unveils new AI offering. Yet can't explain the plot to any of the Matrix films.
Independent Media Agencies Of Australia (IMAA) Announces Record 44 New Group Deals For 2024
The Independent Media Agencies rolls out even more support for its members. Alas, no signs of any discounted arancini.
After Google Search Spike, Reddit Shares Jump 14% In First Quarterly Results Since IPO
It looks like being a top time to be investing in the tech space. Defence industries & missile makers also doing well.
Gippsland Dairy Celebrates The Deliciousness Of Patience With ‘Slow Good’ Platform Via Special
Yoghurt's a lot like online dating, red wine & running marathons - you think it's good for you, but it probably isn't.
Let Them Eat Cake: Cashed-Up Professionals Are Back In CBDs And Airports And They Want Their Audis
Latest study finds the ABs are returning to offices & reveals how brands can cash in. Just not the work from home brands.
Mariah Carey Lends Her Inimitable Voice to ‘Portrait of a Portrait’, Audible’s Latest ‘Words + Music’ Installment
Think Mariah's only good for annoying the shit out of colleagues at Christmas? Think again with this new Audible work.