Women In Media: It’s Myer’s Group General Manager Tara Lordsmith
Don’t say B&T’s Women In Media doesn’t continue to surprise! Today we probe none other than the fabulous Tara Lordsmith, group general manager at Myer. Here, she talks what drives her, a love of all things fashion and finishing her first triathlon…
What’s your back story in a nutshell (the non-LinkedIn one?)
I moved around a lot as a kid and think it created a love of diversity and variety in the work I do. I went to private schools most of my life (which I didn’t enjoy) and when I turned 17 I graduated and left home. Freedom began. I immediately started a business accounting degree and by the second term I’d quickly shifted my major to marketing and never looked back. Retail work paid the bills then and retail is paying the bills again now.
If you weren’t doing this particular job, what would you be doing?
I’d have my own business. I loved it when I was 100 per cent working in my own consultancy Lordsmith and Co and will one day go back to it.
What’s your ultimate career goal?
Working because I want to, not because I have to.
Who’s your industry hero?
Andy Lark. Always has been since he arrived in Australia and elevated the profession of marketing in this country. Amazing guy who is a major advocate for women.
What are your passions?
I seriously love fashion. I’m aesthetically driven and understand the importance of how fashion makes people feel. It’s highly subjective, self expressive and emotionally engaging. A perfect storm for a marketer like me.
How do you define leadership?
Leadership to me is about inspiring others to achieve great outcomes. To lead by example and not be afraid to get your hands dirty.
What makes you tick and go that extra mile to do what you do?
I want more women to be recognised as change agents and senior leaders in organisations. That’s always been something I’ve been passionate about.
How do you get others onboard with your vision?
Make it easier for them to love their job. We try and make it easier for customers to love our brand, the same applies with our staff.
What are the qualities you seek in people you want to partner with and work with?
Big picture thinking, intuition, initiative and brutal honesty.
What five words would your staff use to describe you?
Energetic, strategic, commercial, encouraging, straight talking.
What’s been your favourite advertising/marketing campaign from the past 12 months?
Seek….and you shall find. Simple and to the point.
Proudest career moment?
Winner of 2008 Marketer of the Year Award.
Proudest personal moment?
Graduating from Australian Institute of Company Directors and joining two boards were a personal achievement I conquered. Oh…and doing a triathlon after my first child was a highlight!
How do you manage the juggling act with family and wanting to be ‘present’ for your children and partner?
I have an amazing husband who has been main carer to our beautiful daughters. He’s enabled me to have the best of both worlds.
What’s the best thing about working in the industry?
Fashion changes.
What’s the worst thing about working the industry?
Fashion changes.
As a woman can you ‘have it all’?
If you have a supportive network then yes I think you can.
Do you think the glass ceiling still exists?
Glass can be broken. It comes down to what you want and how hard you want to work for it.
Have you ever felt like giving up?
I really don’t like giving up, but I certainly have chosen to change direction at certain points in my life. Moving into fashion after 20 years in food and beverage was one of those moments.
What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?
Keep working hard while you are young, it will be worth it.
What advice would you give a female graduate or a newbie contemplating in the media/advertising/marketing industry?
Work hard but have fun. Be curious, be driven and be opinionated because this is a subjective discipline.
Latest News
Sydney Comedy Festival: Taking The City & Social Media By Storm
Sydney Comedy Festival 2024 is live and ready to rumble, showing the best of international and homegrown talent at a host of venues around town. As usual, it’s hot on the heels of its big sister, the giant that is the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, picking up some acts as they continue on their own […]
Global Marketers Descend For AANA’s RESET For Growth
The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) has announced the final epic lineup of local and global marketing powerhouses for RESET for Growth 2024. Lead image: Josh Faulks, chief executive officer, AANA Back in 2000, a woman with no business experience opened her first juice bar in Adelaide. The idea was brilliantly simple: make healthy […]
Is Meta’s New AI Chatbot Too Left-Wing?
Meta's chatbot accused of being left-wing after being caught wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt & listening to Billy Bragg.
TV Ratings (23/04/2024): Why Did No One Tell Angela That Farmer Wants A Wife Is Set On A Farm?
As wonderful as this headline is, let's face it, we all know an 'Angela', don't we?
PubMatic Unveils New AI Partnership To Turn Social Posts Into Ads For Any Digital Channel
Here's some nifty tech for turning social posts into ads. Assuming said posts aren't one-star character assassinations.
Intuit Mailchimp Makes A Splash With Its First Australian Brand Campaign
Ever laugh along at a gag you didn't get so as not to appear dumb? Get ready for more feigning with this new work.
GumGum’s Rob Hall: Advertisers Can No Longer “Rely On Binary Descriptions” Of Consumers
If anyone's got their finger on adtech's pulse, it's Rob Hall. He also avoids using the good paper in the office printer
Mastercard Nabs Florencia Aimo From Marriott International
Marriott International's Florencia Aimo jumps from the hotel business to the exploitative credit card one.
Bastion Agency Appoints Cheuk Chiang As New ANZ CEO
Cheuk Chiang takes the reins over at Bastion Agency. But not the rains down in Africa.
Spotlight On Sponsors: Major Sponsorship Wins After A Disappointing Week In Sport
B&T continuing our deep dive into local sport sponsorships & that's despite not a single offer of a free ticket as yet.
Macca’s Marketing Director, Samantha McLeod On Big Mac Chant: “What Was Once Old Is Now Cool Again”
Macca's using the power of nostalgia in latest Big Mac campaign. Well, only for those who've ever eaten one sober.
World Premiere Of Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line To Open Sydney Film Festival 2024
Oil's biopic to open Sydney Film Festival. Here's hoping Molly Meldrum will take his pants down at the premiere.
Entries Are Now Open For The 2024 Brandies, IntelligenceBank’s Annual Brand Marketing Awards
The Brandies are, of course, a prestigious marketing gong and not the mystery tipple favoured by nannas everywhere.
The Fred Hollows Foundation Appoints Ardent For PR
Yes, we all like to have a joke at PR's expense. But sometimes it does important work, like this.
AI, eCommerce & Marketing Specialists Are In Increased Demand By Businesses, New Data From Fiverr Shows
Has your philosophy & anthropology degree left you with nothing but a huge HECS debt? Here's what you should've studied.
Perth’s First 3D Anamorphic Billboard Arrives Courtesy Of oOh!media
Do you love a buzzword? Now you can add anamorphic to the list as it relates to billboards, not a colleague's ears.
MasterChef Australia & Crown Resorts Launch Unique Dining Experience With ALUMNI
A pop-up restaurant staffed by MasterChef contestants! That's fine dining prices for first-year apprentice chef cuisine!
Amanda Laing Announces Resignation From Foxtel Group
Foxtel's chief commercial & content officer heads for the exits. Read nice things the bosses said about her right here.
The Lost Letters From Our Diggers: News Corp Unveils ANZAC Day Special
It's nice when brands respectfully acknowledge ANZAC Day.
Howatson+Company Acquires Akkomplice
Large indie acquires a slightly smaller indie. Much like a shark eating a tuna, just with less thrashing and blood.
Google Delays Third-Party Cookie Deprecation Again
In good news for the sale of picture library biscuit photos, Google continues to tease over the end of cookies.
Education A Low Priority For Aussies More Concerned With Cost Of Living Forethought Study Reveals
Study finds Aussies cutting back on education due to cost of living. Booze & Uber Eats sales remain largely unaffected.
“I’m Still The Same Person That I Was”: Rikki Stern Says “Fucc It” To Cancer Stereotypes
B&T always happy to promote the anti-cancer cause. Even brands that massively overdo it with the hot pink.
The Unapproved Climate Certification Allegedly Causing Mass Greenwashing
Are you left flummoxed in the canned tuna & free range eggs aisle? Just wait till this green certification gets up.
TV Ratings (22/04/2024): Fans Mock “Over The Top” Reaction To New MasterChef Judges
MasterChef returns for its 2024 season. B&T stands by putting peppercorns in Gravox & no one will be any the wiser.
Dentsu Restructure: Muddle, Harvey & Johnston Take Leadership Baton As Bass & Yurisich Exit
A large broom has swept through Dentsu's local ops this morning, taking with it some big names & the air con's cobwebs.
Industry Shares Trends Shaping The Industry This International Creators Day
B&T's asking adland creators to reveal their top trends. And it's not good news for your Jenny Kee cardigan collection.
Mable Extends HOYTS Sensory Screenings Partnership
Mable has extended its HOYTS sensory screening partnership. Vigorously defends its two-star Oppenheimer review.
Orphan Launches ‘They Need Our Help. We Need Yours’ For Children’s Cancer Institute
Anything to do with childhood cancers has B&T's 110% support. That said, we do ignore the red meat & alcohol warnings.
Smile Team Orthodontics & Keep Left Collaborate On Smile-Inducing Campaign
As parents would attest, given the cost of orthodontics you'd expect this campaign to be a lavish production indeed.
Opinion: How Video Calls Neglect Learning Diversity
Need an excuse to duck out of a video call this arvo? Show this to your boss.
DoubleVerify Achieves First-Of-Its-Kind Responsible AI Certification From TrustArc
DoubleVerify receives responsible AI certification. However, not its robotic vacuum that's been seen menacing the cat.
Smile For A Good Cause: The Social Media Campaign Giving Back To The Community
Are you known as the office Austin Powers? More for you teeth than shagability? Get snappy new fangs with this news.
Elon Musk Mocks Albo After ESafety Wins Court Injunction Against X
Albo's 2024 from hell continues - Rabbitohs in crisis, down in the polls and now feuding with world's richest man.
Real Estate Developer In Hot Water Over “Sexually Exploitative” OOH Campaign
Real estate agents again tops in the 'least trusted profession' polls, nudging used car salesmen & ad creatives.
Epsilon’s Shane Hanby: Post-Cookie Era Relies On “Teamwork” Between Brands, Marketers & Tech
This pro predicts more "teamwork" in a post-cookie era. Which spells bad news for the uncooperative or plain stubborn.