Our annual Women in Media Awards are fast approaching, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate the myriad of inspiring women in this industry. In the lead up to this annual event, we’ve been profiling some stellar women – the latest of which is Melanie Lindquist.

Lindquist is an awarded media professional who has worked across multiple brands in radio, digital, television and now out-of-home for the past two decades.

She received an ACRA (Australian Commercial Radio Award) for best promotions and marketing director three times, and is currently kicking goals for AdShel as their head of client strategy.

Safe to say, Lindquist has come on in leaps and bounds since her first job in radio.

“My role has evolved into a more strategic, insight-lead role using research and data to underpin proof points of our media assets in a media strategy.

“That sounds all very text book but it is actually an incredibly interesting and diverse role,” she said.

“It can range from reading lines of data or a new category research report to running an insights session for a new client brief to presenting an industry deep dive to an agency. It’s ever-changing.”

The ever-changing nature of her role, and this industry, inspired Lindquist to get her MBA, while similtaneously working for Australian television station QTQ.

In a deliberate move to build her digital knowledge she moved agency-side to a start-up where she developed the business’ strategy, client service and business development teams and helped grow the business. And then graduated with an MBA, which Lindquist said remains one of her proudest career moments.

“It had been an interesting journey which started with a realisation that I got my first degree when Google wasn’t invented!

“It was well overdue and it’s still satisfying to have my name on that parchment,” she said.

Another change happening in the industry is that more and more women are being promoted to senior positions, which Lindquist said is a change for the better.

“There is a change in the air – almost a fearlessness – in discussing and improving gender equality. Even in the last few weeks we’ve had a series of senior, first time female appointments.

“I’m excited because I can actually see this is moving away from the exception,” she said.

Lastly, Lindquist added that the advertising and media industry has the power to change gender biases for good.

“Advertising and media are influential industries that can change cultural and equality narratives,” she said.

“Without diversity in this process including women decision makers especially in creative, technology and marketing; gender biases will write a skewed narrative that keeps the imbalance for the next generation.”

B&T‘s Women in Media Awards 2018 will be held on Friday 17 August 2018 at Doltone House – Jones Bay Wharf. Grab tickets to the event here and find all other info on the website.