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.
This week we speak to Dentsu Aegis Network head of digital delivery Louisa Lewis.
Time at the company:
Approx. five months, I literally spent two days in the office before we went into lockdown, so it has been a very interesting onboarding experience.
How would you describe what the company does?
Connecting our clients and their brands to the right audience, at the right time, to deliver a business outcome.
What do you do day-to-day?
Oversee the day to day operations of DAN’s newly formed digital delivery team, which encompasses our ad operations and advisory team, our programmatic product and partnerships team, and our recently merged and re-branded Dentsu Programmatic team (formerly Amnet and iProspect Programmatic).
Define your job in one word:
Rewarding.
I got into adtech because:
I had a background in IT and my first role in advertising was in performance media, it just felt like a logical move at the time and I haven’t looked back.
What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role?
I would say retaining talent, it can be a very competitive market which can make holding onto good people challenging, so it is important that we, as leaders, are super focussed and committed to developing individual growth and development plans for our people.
What’s the biggest industry-wide challenge you’d like to see tackled?
While we have come along way over the past few years, I believe there is still some education needed around programmatic, not only with the benefits that it can bring to business optimisation, but also ensuring the right pipes are connected to ensure business outcomes are delivered, and arbitrage is avoided.
Previous industry related companies you have worked at:
Prior to joining DAN I spent nearly 12 years over at Nine, starting back in the ninemsn days and in more recent years heading up the digital operations team, supporting both the direct and programmatic sales teams on delivering digital campaigns across all of Nine’s combined assets.
Who has been a great mentor to you and why?
I have been very fortunate in my media career to have been able to work with some of the best in the industry, my very first leader taught me everything I needed to know to kick start my media career, and instilled values and a work ethic that I still carry through with me today. I am very lucky to now be working with Pat Darcy, not only a well-respected leader within the industry but also someone who knows me well enough to push me to be the best version of myself, but also give me the breathing space when I need it.
Words of advice for someone wanting a job like yours?
Don’t be afraid to work hard and embrace change, its what this industry is all about, if you stay focussed and committed, the rewards will follow.
If I wasn't doing this for a living, I'd be:
I’ve always thought about nursing, maybe later in life.
My mantra is:
Be passionate and authentic in everything you do.
My favourite advert is:
The McDonalds ad where the dad is driving through the drive through with a sleeping baby in the back, as a mum of a child that didn’t sleep, I fully appreciate the need to keep a car moving at all costs!
Music and TV streaming habits. What do you subscribe to?
I don’t get much of a say in this, my two kids and husband rule the TV, but it’s mainly Netflix, Disney+ and Fox Sports on in our house (not all my choices).
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I once worked at an elite golf club driving around a golf buggy serving refreshments to the players.
In five years' time I'll be:
Hopefully still working in media, continuing to learn, grow and challenge myself.
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