Marketing Mavericks: HCF’s Greg McAweeney

Marketing Mavericks: HCF’s Greg McAweeney
Ally Burnie
By Ally Burnie
SHARE
THIS



Did you miss B&T‘s latest mag issue? Firstly, subscribe here so you never miss out again. Secondly, you’re in luck, because we’re bringing you all the best from the mag and putting it online. You’re welcome.

Marketing Mavericks was a supplement in the latest mag, featuring some of Australia’s most daring and bold marketers. Today, we’re bringing you HCF’s chief officer of business growth Greg McAweeney.

Accidentally The Other Irishman

A Dubliner and ‘accidental marketer’ living in Sydney, Greg is the current chief officer of business growth at HCF. Passionate about starting up and leading digital businesses, he wrote the business case and launched Ireland’s first direct bank, RaboDirect.ie in 2005. Known for his dry sense of humour, Greg believes when it comes to forging a great marketing career, it’s vital you find a company that matches your passion and values.

I call myself an accidental marketer. When I was younger, I wanted to be a vet. I think the veterinary adventures of James Herriot in the British TV series All Creatures Great & Small spawned a generation of kids who wanted to become vets. Sadly I had no aptitude
for science.

Now, I’ve somehow found myself in marketing. On 3 May 2005, I was 34 and launched Ireland’s first direct bank. It would be called a Neobank these days. I was neither a traditional banker or marketer, but was given the opportunity to lead the bank, which changed my career entirely.

The two of my favourite ads of all time, I have to say I loved the simplicity of the Apple vs PC  series in the mid 2000s. The copywriting hit home every time without the need for huge production and set up. Second up – Always’  #LikeaGirl did a fantastic job of cutting through the entrenched stereotype that young girls couldn’t match boys in sport and life more generally. Inspirational work that helps change mindsets.

My best tip for marketing grads? Find a company that matches your passion and values; you’ll find it very rewarding. Learn everything you can about the business you’re in. The more you understand the operations, the firm and the customer, the better insights you can bring to marketing.

The one thing your colleagues do that really irritates you?

Wondering why we can’t put their 10 messages into a 30 second TVC!

All-time favourite hero?

David Attenborough. A living legend who has devoted his life to nature and the environment. At 93, he’s placing his faith in youth because the adults have clearly buggered things up.

 

Please login with linkedin to comment

acoustic HCF marketing mavericks

Latest News

Woolies’ Retail Media Business Cartology Announces New Appointments
  • Advertising

Woolies’ Retail Media Business Cartology Announces New Appointments

Cartology, the retail media business of Woolworths Group, has further expanded its team with Martin Wood (pictured below) been promoted to head of strategic partnerships and Matt Gower (main photo) has joined the business as senior manager of research and insights. Wood will lead a new team dedicated to servicing the retail media business’s largest […]

Condé Nast Agree To Wage Raise After Two-Year Campaign By The New Yorker Union
  • Media

Condé Nast Agree To Wage Raise After Two-Year Campaign By The New Yorker Union

CondÉ Nast, the publisher of publications such as VOGUE, Vanity fair, Pitchfork and The New Yorker has agreed to raise the minimum wage for employees after a campaign by the New Yorker union. The union had previously organised a protest, which saw New Yorker staff demonstrating outside VOGUE editor-in-chief Anna Wintour’s home. Placards at the protest had […]

GoDaddy Wins Gold As Official Partner For Australian Olympic Team
  • Technology

GoDaddy Wins Gold As Official Partner For Australian Olympic Team

GoDaddy has announced it has been named as the official website builder partner of the Australian Olympic team for the Tokyo 2020 Games.  GoDaddy has a history of supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners in Australia. Many Australian Olympic athletes are small business owners themselves, running businesses and side hustle to help support the pursuit […]

Global Media Network MDC Partners Adds This Is Flow To Global Affiliate Program
  • Marketing

Global Media Network MDC Partners Adds This Is Flow To Global Affiliate Program

MDC Partners (NASDAQ: MDCA), the company that owns agencies including 72andSunny, Anomaly and Media Kitchen, has expanded its global footprint in a partnership with This Is Flow. The Australian based indie will become MDC’s affiliate media planning and buying agency across Australia and New Zealand and will help manage global clients and participate on global pitches etc. however This is Flow will still remain 100% independent.

Woman hand using mobile phone and laptop, Worldwide connection technology interface.
  • Technology

DoubleVerify’s Custom Contextual Targeting Launches On The Trade Desk

DoubleVerify has announced the expansion of a partnership with The Trade Desk to include activation of DV Custom Contextual, which will enable programmatic advertisers using the platform to target relevant audiences in a privacy-safe manner that does not utilize cookies or personally identifiable information. The Trade Desk now supports a comprehensive suite of DV’s pre-bid […]

Seven Reveals Revenues Up 45% In Q4
  • Media

Seven Reveals Revenues Up 45% In Q4

Seven West Media releases Q4 update. Yet, no mention of Ben Roberts-Smith or James Warburton's gold-plated toilet seat.

Swinburne University Of Technology And FourthRev Help Students Gain Hands On Digital Skills
  • Marketing

Swinburne University Of Technology And FourthRev Help Students Gain Hands On Digital Skills

Swinburne University of Technology has launched a series of  Bootcamp Graduate Certificate courses, developed in partnership with FourthRev. The courses, an Australian-first, will upskill career changers and provide students the capabilities required to thrive in the digital economy. They are available on-campus and through its online arm, Swinburne Online. Alongside completing projects which will emulate […]

PayPal Partners With Welcome To Country
  • Marketing
  • Media

PayPal Partners With Welcome To Country

PayPal has partnered with Welcome to Country, Australia’s first Indigenous-led not-for-profit marketplace, which showcases businesses that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Welcome to Country launched in 2019, providing an online platform for Indigenous experience providers across tours, day treks, scenic flights, bush food, festivals, art and cultural experiences. When the pandemic hit, the […]