B&T’s ‘10 of the Best’ interview series continues apace in celebration of our inaugural Best of the Best awards.
[Looking for the live stream of B&T’s Best of the Best awards? You’ve found it – click here!]
Presented by Finecast, Best of the Best will bring something unique to this year’s awards season. While most awards focus on the work of an agency or company as a whole, Best of the Best will celebrate the immense individual talent on show in every area of advertising, marketing and media.
Our Best of the Best awards will also be celebrating the people who continue to do the most, with categories for mentors and social change-makers.
You can find a breakdown of all the different categories here, along with a downloadable file outlining the full submission criteria.
Come on, you know you want to enter! Head on over HERE to complete your submission/s by Friday 25 June 2021.
To inspire you even more to enter Best of the Best, we’ve been publishing (and will continue to publish) some fab interviews with a number of senior folk from Finecast and the broader WPP AUNZ network.
Stepping up to the plate today is Finecast’s national head of engagement, Matt Stephens. Enjoy…
Best piece of career advice…
Always think about your legacy. How do you want to be remembered by your staff, peers and clients? Your behaviour, what you say and how you treat people defines this. Not just the outcomes.
Best agency in Australia at the moment (that’s not yours) and why…
MediaCom. Their vision in driving addressable solutions for their clients is leading the way forward.
Best industry leader and why…
Nicola Lewis. While I’ve never reported directly into her, her legacy is one of the best I’ve ever come across. What people say about their experience working with her and for her is explementary. In my dealings, the same can be said for how clients and publishers reflect on working with her.
Best mentor in your life/career and why…
I would have to say that my kids have become some of my greatest teachers. A monumental shift in my priorities and perspective is demanded by them, and the sense of play that is deeply engrained in childhood has reminded me of its importance in our lives, even as adults.
Best brand you’ve never worked on and why…
Globe and Patagonia. Both surf and adventure/outdoor apparel and equipment brands. The industry sector they fit into has been a culprit of fast fashion and unsustainable practices, all impacting the very things that are core to their sub-culture – nature and the environment. They are now leading the way forward with new sustainable practices, materials used and products produced. These are no doubt hurting their margins, but they are doing it anyway because it’s the right thing to do. I love that sense of purpose and perspective.
Best song for inspiration and why…
I’ve had a go to playlist lately and it falls into the ‘country music category’. It’s often super-cheesy, simple, upbeat and catchy. You find yourself singing along to the chorus the first time you hear a song.
Best mistake you’ve ever made…
Thinking I was going to need B2B sales experience before moving into media sales – clearly, it was not a prerequisite! But, the time spent in recruitment was a valuable experience. I got to learn some hardcore sales fundamentals, resilience and navigate a pretty wild office culture that would give HR professionals panic attacks. It was all pretty fun when you are in your early 20s.
Best rumour you’ve heard about yourself…
I’m not sure about this one … I am probably not interesting enough to have a rumour made up about me.
Best ad of the past decade and why…
Carlton Draught’s ‘Big Ad’. Amazing.
Best guilty pleasure…
Eating – one of the simple pleasures in life. I wish I had a better ‘off’ switch!
