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 Tiffany Damm, national commercial director, UnLtd.
1. How long have you been in Melbourne? If you weren’t born here, did you choose it or did it choose you?
I was born in Melbourne and spent my primary school years in Eltham, which, despite being a suburb, felt more like a little country town.
That was quite a contrast to my secondary school years, which took me across Singapore, Sydney and Hong Kong, growing up as an expat. I also have US citizenship and toyed with moving there after uni, but ultimately Melbourne called me home.
I think that’s common in our industry. So many people have lived and worked overseas before choosing to return to Melbourne, bringing with them a wealth of experiences, perspectives and ideas.
Sometimes you need to live around the world to appreciate what’s special about home.
2. What’s the most Melbourne thing about the way you or your team works?
My workday starts with at least four outfit changes as I try to navigate Melbourne’s famous four seasons in one day. The one constant? Everything is black, of course!
Once I’ve settled on an outfit, it’s off to my local coffee shop for some of Melbourne’s finest. Coffee in hand, I’m finally ready for my first meeting, where the first five minutes will inevitably be spent talking about the AFL. Whether you follow it or not!
3. Who in the local industry has shaped the way you think about leadership or doing business? Tell us about them.
I started my career at Channel Nine in the golden days of television. Three commercial networks, no digital, streaming or social media.
I was incredibly lucky to learn from some great people along the way, and from so many others at every stage of my career.
But it was something Paul Waldren said when I was promoted into my first people management role at Nine that has really stayed with me. He said: “Tiff, you’ll only succeed if the people around you want you to succeed.”
I’ve never forgotten that. Particularly in this era of AI and productivity, where success is increasingly measured in outputs and efficiencies, it’s easy to lose sight of the human side of leadership. If the people around you aren’t with you, you’re not going to make it. Period.
4. What’s the unspoken rule of doing business in Melbourne?
An old Sydney colleague once joked that Derby Day marks the start of Melbourne’s media Christmas party season, which runs through December before everyone eventually returns to work after Australia Day. Melbourne certainly knows how to embrace a public holiday!
But the real unspoken rule is that business here is built on relationships. Take the time to get to know people, genuinely care about them and invest in the relationship. Don’t just turn up expecting a deal to be done. People want to do business with people they know, like and trust. And that’s a good thing. Trust leads to delivery, and the best media deals don’t just get done, they deliver.
5. If Melbourne had a walk-up song for you, what would it be?
AC/DC’s TNT. No question!
I’ve never actually had a walk-up song, but you’ve put the idea in my head now. We have UnLtd Big Dream on 12 November, and I fully intend to have this queued up as I take to the stage in front of 700+ people from the industry.
It feels like the perfect entrance song. A little bold, a little cheeky and certainly not one for a quiet entrance.
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.
