In this series, we’re taking a look at some of the most creative faces in Melbourne with some help from our friend Kathleen Gunther, who partners with independent agencies across Australia and New Zealand to scale their brand presence and drive sustainable growth. This week, we spoke with Mae Giglia, business manager at The Jacky Winter Group.
1. How long have you been in Melbourne? If you weren’t born here, did you choose it or did it choose you?
Mae Giglia: I’m originally a Sydneysider, but I’ve lived in Melbourne for more than 20 years now, so this is very much home.
In the early 2000s, I spent a lot of time flying back and forth from Sydney (when you could get a flight for $49!). The allure of Melbourne’s music, arts and culture scene was too strong! There was always something new to uncover.
I distinctly remember walking down Nicholson Street during one visit when the crisp air hit me, and had a strangely certain feeling that this was exactly where I needed to be. So I suppose Melbourne chose me! I haven’t looked back since.
2. What’s the most Melbourne thing about the way you or your team works?
MG: Jacky Winter was founded in Melbourne almost 20 years ago, and while we now have offices in the US and UK, we’re proud to be headquartered here.
Our office is in Collingwood, surrounded by the industrial warehouses, creative energy, spoilt-for-choice food options and general good vibes. On our ground floor, we have Jacky Winter Gallery, which brings local and international artists and the wider community into our space. The mix of art, business and community has always shaped how we work, which feels distinctly Melbourne!
3. Who in the local industry has shaped the way you think about leadership or doing business? Tell us about them.
MG: I don’t have to look too far for this one! Jacky Winter’s Founder and Managing Director, Jeremy Wortsman, has completely changed the trajectory of my professional life (as he has done so for many others).
Jeremy combines enormous creative ambition with generosity, candour and a deeply grounded approach to business. From the moment I joined Jacky Winter, he trusted me and gave me genuine room to lead. That trust has allowed me to grow into a leader who doesn’t see kindness and strength as opposites. What I admire most about Jeremy is his ability to see potential in people and then give them the freedom and encouragement to do more than they thought they could.
4. What’s your favourite Melbourne or Victorian campaign or project and why?
MG: My favourite Melbourne project might actually be mX. Picking up a copy off the seat on the tram on the way home was a daily ritual!
It was funny, hyperlocal and slightly chaotic. Before we all spent our commutes staring at our phones, mX turned the journey home into a shared experience. I still feel nostalgic for those days. It was part of the fabric of Melbourne life for a long time!
5. If you were a Melbourne landmark, what would you be?
MG: I’d be the Montague Street Bridge. Solid, dependable and clear on boundaries.. No matter how many trucks come at me!
Kathleen Gunther is the founder of Gunther Consulting, partnering with independent agencies across Australia and New Zealand to scale their brand presence and drive sustainable growth. With expertise spanning digital marketing, brand strategy, PR and communications, she brings the pragmatism, specialist connections and industry know-how to help agencies market their most important client — themselves. Kathleen also serves as a Board Member of AWIA, actively shaping Australia’s digital landscape and championing inclusivity in the industry.
