Virginia Hyland.
Virginia Hyland, one of the first women to launch a media agency in an industry that was dominated by men in the top ranks, was inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame at the AdNews Agency of the Year Awards.
What an incredible honour, and alongside a room full of extraordinary industry talent.
At seventeen, I made the nine-hour train ride from my country town, Gilgai to Sydney. With my dad’s words ringing in my ears: “You can be whatever you want to be.”
He would have loved to be here today. Sadly, he passed away just three weeks ago — but I know he’d be standing at the back of the room, proud as punch.
My first job was at Herald Classifieds, every day I filled out cold-call sheets — calls made, number converted. Selling advertising with fourteen-point headlines to timber yards and boat yards.
That job taught me how to engage in conversation when people don’t want to chat - with warmth and humour and how to listen - and that every No is simply just one step closer to a yes.
Shortly after, I witnessed union strikes, The Sydney Morning Herald lay off 100 men. The new world was upon us – computerisation.
Many of these men were mid career, with a job they believed they would have for life.
Four men retrained, adapted and stayed.
My lesson early on: reinvention protects career longevity.
When at twenty-nine years old, I decided to launch my own agency, many said I wouldn’t make it. That no woman could successfully run an agency in the cut and thrust world of media. My team and my clients… clearly missed that memo.
This industry has given me experiences that have become the best memories of my life.
The most powerful Editor Nene King, yelling, “Get the **** up to my office now!” refusing to place the ugly Coca-Cola ad I had finally won next the high quality Woman’s Day Fergie toe sucking article — somehow I convinced her to reconsider, as she inhaled her spliff.
Sweating it over whether an expensive billboard would be torn down because it was thought Lady Gaga’s nipple was showing…wen it was actually a man’s hard hat.
Or pitching on my biggest client, just after giving birth — because jobs were on the line — and winning against global agencies who thought they would easily smoke the indie.
So what have I learned?
Our industry is small — be kind. Always care for your team. Mine have carried me on their wings.
Some days it felt like the whole world was caving in….It didn’t.
It was just another lesson — preparing me to be more resilient, to ask for help when I needed it, to challenge my thinking, to back myself and to step into my next growth chapter.
2026 is a new adventure for us all, it will change us.
But our heart remains human.
Ideas come from people.
Trust is built between people.
And great work still happens, when people feel safe enough to take risks together.
Loyalty comes when clients feel the commitment - I’ve been lucky enough to deliver great work for the same loyal clients who had supported me for decades and some for 25 years.
Riding the road together, creating a life I never thought a girl from the sticks could have.
And the backbone of my life, my wonderful team, media partner, incredible clients, industry leaders and especially my wonderful husband John who has put up with all of my trials and tribulations, through our 27 years of marriage.
Every morning, when my daughter Arizona and I start our day, we remind each other — From Gilgai to here — be brave, not perfect.
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