B&TB&TB&T
  • Advertising
  • Campaigns
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Technology
  • Regulars
    • Agency Scorecards
    • Best of the Best
    • Campaigns of the Month
    • CMO Power List
    • CMOs to Watch
    • Culture Bites
    • Fast 10
    • New Business Winners
    • Spotlight on Sponsors
  • Jobs
  • Awards
    • 30 Under 30
    • B&T Awards
    • Cairns Crocodiles
    • Women In Media
    • Women Leading Tech
Search
Trending topics:
  • Cairns Crocodiles
  • Nine
  • Seven
  • Pinterest
  • Federal Election
  • AFL
  • Anthony Albanese
  • NRL
  • WPP
  • AI
  • State of Origin
  • Thinkerbell
  • Channel 10
  • EssenceMediaCom
  • B&T Women in Media
  • Spotlight on Sponsors
  • Meta
  • TV Ratings
  • Radio Ratings
  • Sports Marketing

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise
© 2025 B&T. The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd.
Reading: Sara Lappage On The “Sliding Doors” Moment That Sparked The QMS COO’s Journey Into The Media Industry
Share
B&TB&T
Subscribe
Search
  • Advertising
  • Campaigns
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Technology
  • Regulars
    • Agency Scorecards
    • Best of the Best
    • Campaigns of the Month
    • CMO Power List
    • CMOs to Watch
    • Culture Bites
    • Fast 10
    • New Business Winners
    • Spotlight on Sponsors
  • Jobs
  • Awards
    • 30 Under 30
    • B&T Awards
    • Cairns Crocodiles
    • Women In Media
    • Women Leading Tech
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise
© 2025 B&T. The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd.
B&T > Partner Content > Sara Lappage On The “Sliding Doors” Moment That Sparked The QMS COO’s Journey Into The Media Industry
Partner Content

Sara Lappage On The “Sliding Doors” Moment That Sparked The QMS COO’s Journey Into The Media Industry

Aimee Edwards
Published on: 23rd May 2024 at 8:35 AM
Aimee Edwards
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

Sara Lappage, QMS‘s Chief Operating Officer, is passionate about brands. Thriving on developing brands that fit the identity and essence of the business or product they represent, she has been responsible for two major rebrands and a brand refresh over her years working in the space.

Having just yesterday been named in the Women In Media Power List long list, B&T sat down with Lappage to discuss her journey into the media space and the importance of increasing diversity and safety within the industry.

Enter B&T’s Women in Media Awards Now!

B&T: What inspired you to pursue a career in media?

Lappage: It was actually a sliding doors moment in my life. After completing my marketing degree, I received two job offers; one working as a Media Assistant at Young & Rubicam and the other as a Marketing Executive for a chemicals company.

Clearly, I chose the role at Young & Rubicam and have never looked back, loving every moment of this crazy media ride. But I do wonder every now and then just where I would be if I went through door number two and began my career in chemicals!

B&T: Who has been your biggest role model that has helped you get where you are today?

Lappage: There have been and continue to be, a number of women and men, who have influenced and helped shape my career but none more so than my mum. My biggest cheerleader, greatest confidence booster and an honest sounding board.

I only wish she could have been with me to experience the whole journey, as the last 17 years have been tough not having her around to celebrate the wins and to lean on for those moments that only your mum could understand.

B&T: What do you think the benefits are of having women in leadership positions?

Lappage: The difference in thought and approach that only comes from having a diverse lived experience. It is so much more powerful for a business to succeed with leadership derived from a blend of unique perspectives, styles and experiences that you can only get from a diverse group of leaders, whether that be gender, culture or age.

B&T: If I were to ask what pivotal moment in your career pushed you to where you are now, what would it be and why?

Lappage: My decision to leave a business I loved, in a role that I had created as my own did not come lightly. Those who know me well, know I am not a huge risk taker! But the chance to go from a market leader to a start up and play an instrumental role in its growth and success was too big an opportunity to ignore.

The last 10 years at QMS have been spent working with some of the hardestworking and inspirational people in media. That decision to venture into the unknown and, at times, uncertain resulted in my own professional growth accelerating at speed, and I am so grateful I took the leap when I did. I have gone from accomplished marketer to chief operating officer, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

B&T: Could you share a specific instance where your leadership style has made a significant impact? How does your approach differ from that of your male counterparts?

Lappage: I don’t think leadership style is simply a question of gender, more so, it is a reflection of individuality. It is not pre-determined by or cemented in gender preference but is based on all the unique qualities that make up a person.

For me, my style tends to be built around empathy, which for some may be considered a weakness. But I try to lead from a place where success is built on the ability to provide a space for individuals to lean in, contribute and feel supported.

B&T: What specific industry trends or changes have you observed recently that have sparked your interest and why

Lappage: One of the major challenges the industry faces is creating the right balance between optimising performance without sacrificing people’s wellbeing, as pressure to deliver results whilst reducing costs becomes more heightened than ever before.

How the industry comes together to improve psychological safety, increase retention levels and create healthier environments for people to thrive is an area I have my eye firmly on.

Enter B&T’s Women in Media Awards Now!

Join more than 30,000 advertising industry experts
Get all the latest advertising and media news direct to your inbox from B&T.

No related posts.

TAGGED: B&T Women in Media Awards 2024, QMS
Share
Aimee Edwards
By Aimee Edwards
Follow:
Aimee Edwards is a journalist at B&T, reporting across media, advertising, and the broader cultural forces shaping both. Her reporting covers the worlds of sport, politics, and entertainment, with a particular focus on how marketing intersects with cultural influence and social impact. Aimee is also a self-published author with a passion for storytelling around mental health, DE&I, sport, and the environment. Prior to joining B&T, she worked as a media researcher, leading projects on media trends and gender representation—most notably a deep dive into the visibility of female voices in sports media. 

Latest News

Monks Innovation Chief Henry Cowling: There’s Never Been A Worse Time To Be In Advertising
19/06/2025
Relo & VideoAmp Kick Off A New Era Of Sports Measurement With Total Sports Performance
19/06/2025
Landor To Rebrand Australian War Memorial & Australian Agricultural Company In New Business Spree
19/06/2025
TV Ratings (18/06/2025): QLD Keep The Series Alive With Gutsy Two Point Victory
19/06/2025
//

B&T is Australia’s leading news publication magazine for the advertising, marketing, media and PR industries.

 

B&T is owned by parent company The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd.

About B&T

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise

Top Categories

  • Advertising
  • Campaigns
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Opinion
  • Technology
  • TV Ratings

Sign Up for Our Newsletter



B&TB&T
Follow US
© 2025 B&T. The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?