Marketing Mavericks: Audible’s Sara Dunseath
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Marketing Mavericks was a supplement in the latest mag, featuring some of Australia’s most daring and bold marketers. Today, we’re bringing you Audible marketing director Sara Dunseath.
UNO-Cheating Neat Freak
Starting her career agency-side with roles at Whybin TBWA, Ogilvy & Mather, Saatchi & Saatchi and McCann, Sara moved client-side in 2009. She started at Audible as the marketing director, and is now the director of brand, content marketing and communications. A self-described loud laugher, mother, hugger, UNO-cheater and OCD cleaner, Sara is sounding a way for audio entertainment in Australia.
A lot of my life experience has been learned through the School of Hard Knocks. As a result, I’m not afraid to call out bullshit, and I’m known for asking the hard questions and challenging the status quo, which is perhaps why I might be seen as a marketing maverick. Truth be told, however, I fell into marketing. I landed a gig in the advertising industry six months out of high school and had no idea what advertising or marketing was. I fell in love with the industry immediately. Marketing is a playground where you can stretch your strategic thinking, flex your creative flare, dive deep into understanding people and ultimately influence consumer behaviour. But most of all I just like being surrounded by interesting and smart people.
I have a big brand crush on Who Gives A Crap. A brilliant company and brand that ‘does good’ and has fun in the process. I have a weakness for memorable brand design and copy – Who Gives a Crap nails it across every touchpoint, every time. Another brand and ad I love (my favourite of all time) is Kmart’s ‘Ship My Pants’ from 2013. It’s clichéd but deep down I have the sense of humour of a 12-year-old. Yet it’s also a great example of a single-minded brief and brand willing to push the boat out.
My favourite Audible campaign was the launch of our first original podcast ‘It Burns’ by Marc Fennell. It’s rare marketing has a seat at the table for product development, but we work in close collaboration with our content department. My talented team developed the original artwork and integrated go-to-market campaign to promote the podcast, including a painfully entertaining ASMR video, which involved Marc Fennell eating some of the hottest chillies in the world.
The best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
‘Good. Fast. Cheap. Pick any two’. It’s a simple rule, but I think it works every time.
Best day of your life?
The night my girlfriend taught me the difference between champagne, prosecco and sparkling wine. They all have their place, but champagne is the queen in my life.
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