There are some pretty remarkable people in our industry, each offering their own unique perspective to adland.
While we spend so much time learning about our peers’ career highlights, B&T, in partnership with Carat Australia, thought it high time to dig a little deeper, and find out what makes the shining stars of our industry tick and, at times, tock.
So, for the next little while, we will be publishing a series of personal profiles.
Get ready to laugh, cry and be taken on an emotional rollercoaster as we hear more about the industry’s most remarkable marketers.
Officeworks’ national advertising and communications manager, Simon Davenport: The overdressed enthusiast
I’m the kind of person who’s always a little over-dressed, just in case. I can also confidently say, no matter what explosions are happening around me, I’ll always enjoy the moment. I’m also a red wine enthusiast. The more red I drink, the more enthusiastic I get.
When I was 10, I wanted to be a fireman… and it kind of came true, as I’ve definitely put out a few fires in my time! If I wasn’t a marketer, I’d be a professor at a university. I’ve always looked up to educators as the keys to societal progression.
What really motivates me is seeing my team and the business learn and grow and become strong and resilient. Breaking things and innovating to create a more inspiring future is something that helps me jump out of bed every day.
I feel that giving everyone the chance to contribute and be heard creates the most effective and well-considered outcomes, rather than getting too protective or stubborn with your own ideas. The best piece of advice I’ve ever got is, “The true test of a leader is how many leaders you develop”, from the Marketing Academy Australia.
My best tip for marketing graduates it to relentlessly be yourself – don’t think you have to be a particular mould of ‘the perfect employee’. The best version of yourself that you can be is you. Above all else, contribute your point of view, add to the discussion, and express yourself and your unique position. This will gain you respect.
A brand that makes me jealous with rage it’s so good has got to be ALDI. Not only is its marketing so engaging and entertaining, but it is commercially minded and highly effective as well. It has carved out a very lucrative part of the grocery market in Australia in such a short period of time. I also like checking out their random special buys; everyone needs a new snow jacket every now and then!
A piece of tech I honestly do not understand is programmatic! I understand the theory behind it and get the trading desk and DSP model of buying digital advertising inventory, but the whole process seems so hazy and unregulated. As a brand, it’s hard to even know who you’re paying for your ad to appear in a digital environment. Help?!
However, a piece of tech I’m loving at the moment is Google Home. Yes, it might still be a bit gimmicky at the moment, but it’s just so handy. How else can I find out what time my football team is playing on the weekend?
I sometimes get irritated when I order an almond chai latte and get judged for being a hipster and not drinking a “real coffee”.
The last time I cried – well, it’s still a bit soppy, but the day I met my wife, Naya. She
changed my outlook on life and helped me realise that you can’t control the uncontrollable, so breath and appreciate everything you have.
My all-time favourite hero has got to be Michael Jordan. It’s funny, he’s not my favourite basketball player, but he’s as close to a real-life superhero with magical powers as I think you can get!
An embarrassing TV show I secretly adore is The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. There, I said it, and I will not be ashamed.
My best party trick? Well, I used to be a barman, so throwing a glass around my back and catching it in the other hand is something I still like to do. Every now and then I even catch the glass.
The most regrettable thing I’ve ever eaten is stinky tofu – a Taiwanese delicacy that in my opinion stinks and tastes like what I’d imagine a dirty sock would taste like.
The worst holiday I ever went on was camping at Wilson’s Promontory in the pouring rain, Needless to say, the tent ended up in the bin at the caravan park, as I couldn’t get it packed away properly into those little bags.
If I had to chose between tomato or a cream-based sauce, it’d be tomato all the way. What did the tomato say to the pasta? “Don’t get ‘saucy’ without me.”
