Brad Hampel.
Our Industry Profile takes a look at some of the professionals working across the advertising, adtech, marketing and media sector in Australia. It aims to shed light on the varying roles and companies across the buzzing industry.
Brad Hampel: Founder and CEO at SE Group.
Time in current role/time at the company:
Founder & CEO for 19 years.
How would you describe what the company does?
We create epic experiences that make people feel something.
Across our businesses, we bring together creativity, entertainment, technology and a whole lot of passionate people to deliver unforgettable moments for major events and global brands.
- Seeker Agency creates experiential campaigns, events and activations.
- Solution Entertainment delivers world-class entertainment, talent and live performances.
- FutureLabs brings immersive experiences to life through creative technology and innovation.
Whether it's the F1, Australian Open, AFL, NBA or a global brand launch, we're in the business of creating moments people talk about long after they're over.
What do you do day to day?
Vision, growth, solving problems, backing our people and keeping the team up and about. No two days are ever the same, which is exactly how I like it.
Define your job in one word:
EPIC.
I got into the industry because:
I love making people feel good. It sounds simple, but that's always been my thing. Seeing people smile, connect, celebrate and experience something they'll remember is a pretty cool way to spend your days.
What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role?
Managing growth while continuing to deliver above and beyond. Once you've built a reputation for exceeding expectations, the benchmark only gets higher.
What’s the biggest industry-wide challenge you’d like to see tackled?
The cost of delivering truly epic experiences.
The difference between great and epic is often that extra 10-20% that elevates every detail. The challenge is that those are usually the first dollars to come under pressure, even though they're often what people remember most.
Who has been a great mentor to you and why?
I met an incredible mentor through EO who owned a branding agency and became a trusted sounding board for many years. What always stood out was that he never told me what to do. He'd ask the right questions, share his perspective and let me find my own path. More than anything, he taught me that reputation is everything and that how you do business matters just as much as the results you deliver.
Words of advice for someone wanting a job like yours?
Strap in and enjoy the ride. It's fast-paced and dynamic but there's nothing quite like seeing an idea come to life and watching people experience it for the first time.
If I wasn’t doing this for a living, I'd be:
Living on an island with my family surfing my brains out.
My philosophy is:
Yes first.
My favourite advert is:
Would have to be the new Adidas ad, surely. But for a bit of nostalgia, it would have to be the old-school Munch on Muncheros ad, for no other reason than the nostalgic vibes and the fact it reminds me of my childhood.
Music and TV streaming habits: what do you subscribe to?
EVERYTHING - if there's a subscription available, chances are I've got it.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
It is certainly not that I booked Snoop Dogg for the AFL Grand Final – hahaha.
Honestly, there isn't much.
In five years’ time, I'll be:
Delivering the opening ceremony for the Brisbane Olympics.
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