“Work Outside Your Job Description”: 10 Of The Best With General Mills’s Surini Perera

“Work Outside Your Job Description”: 10 Of The Best With General Mills’s Surini Perera

Have you been holding your breath for the latest 10 of the best article? Well, we’re here to give you the best from the industry’s… um… finest.

This series is of course in anticipation of B&T’s Best of the Best Awards presented by Finecast. What are those you may ask?

These awards are some of the most unique in the industry because they are dedicated to highlighting individual talent in the industry, rather than focusing on an agency or company.

This year’s awards have introduced a new category – ‘Diversity Champion’ – which is here to show the amazing work done by people in the industry who are creating a more inclusive work environment.

You can find a breakdown of all the different categories HERE, along with a downloadable file outlining the full submission criteria.

Come on, you know you want to enter! Head on over HERE to complete your submission.

To inspire you even more to enter Best of the Best, we’ll be publishing some fab interviews with a number of senior folk from Finecast and the broader WPP AUNZ network over the coming weeks.

This week we have the marketing director from General Mills ANZ, Surini Perera…

Best piece of career advice? 

Work outside your job description, this is where the best learning can occur.

Best agency in Australia now (that’s not yours) and why? 

The Monkeys – the Qantas ad made me cry, the “New Australia-Land” ad made me laugh and the “Every Home is Worth Protecting” ad made me think.

Best leader in diversity/inclusion and why? 

Maya Angelou, in a few simple verses she can tell a deeply emotive, personal yet universally compelling story.

Best brand you’ve never worked on and why? 

Lego. Love that this brand continues to reinvent itself and continues to stay relevant whilst remaining true to its purpose.  As the mother of two boisterous boys, I can see firsthand how much colour, joy, creativity and most importantly … 15 blissful minutes of quiet…… it can bring into to a home.

Best song for inspiration and why? 

Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody. It’s mismatch cords, operatic sections and almost undecipherable storyline make it six minutes of pure creativity.

Best mentor in your life/career? 

My dad: He’s a guitar-playing accountant, his thinking is divergent, and he pushes me to do the same.

Best place on your bucket list you want to travel?

Iceland – to see the Aurora Borealis and swim in the Blue Lagoon.

Best ad of the past decade? 

I’m torn between Volkswagen – The Force and Always – Like a Girl.

Best guilty pleasure? 

Raiding the kid’s Easter egg stash and when that runs out, I raid the party bags.




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