Anna Shultz.
In this series, AdNews spotlights young talent in the Australian media, marketing and advertising sector. This time it's CarExpert's account manager Anna Shultz.
Time in current role/time at the company:
4 years at CarExpert with 2 years in my current position as account manager.
How long have you been in the industry?
Just over 5 years.
How did you get here?
I kicked off my career at News Corp on key accounts—thanks to a nudge from one of my sister’s friends who thought it would be a great first step out of uni. Twelve months later, the opportunity to join a fast-paced start-up came along and I couldn’t say no. Four years on, it’s been a whirlwind watching CarExpert grow from the ground up. It’s been busy, challenging, and incredibly rewarding. A wild ride I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Was this always the plan?
Not even close. I started uni thinking I’d go into fashion marketing. At the same time, I picked up a part-time role with a dealer group knowing absolutely nothing about cars. But somewhere along the way, I fell in love with the industry. When I first moved into media, I realised how much I missed automotive, so combining ad sales with cars has been the perfect way to bring both passions together. Sometimes the best careers are the ones you don’t plan for.
Who is your right-hand person/who guides you day to day?
One of the great things about working in a start-up is the exposure. I get to work directly with senior leaders across the business to drive the best outcomes for clients, and that’s a privilege I don’t take lightly. But my true right hand is my Sales Director, Emily Huhndorf. She’s taught me so much about navigating the media landscape and life as a woman in the industry. What started as a professional relationship has grown into a real friendship, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
For me, it’s the relationships. Media sales is built on trust, and I love being that partner for clients. Someone who not only delivers but understands their bigger picture. The conversations, the collaboration, and the shared wins are the best part of what I do
And the biggest challenge?
The pace of change. What captures attention today can be completely different in six to twelve months, and that wasn’t the case a decade ago. The challenge and the opportunity is staying ahead of that curve. It means constantly educating ourselves, testing new approaches, and evolving with the market to make sure our clients get the best possible outcomes.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
I’d love to eventually step into a Sales Director role. For me, it’s the natural next step, continuing to grow from being client-focused day to day into shaping the bigger sales strategy, mentoring a team, and helping set the direction of the business. It’s about building on the foundations I’ve laid so far and taking on more responsibility for driving growth.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
People, always. I love digging into what makes them tick. Why they choose one brand over another, what really earns their trust. I’ve become the car consultant in my circle of family and friends, so those conversations are a constant source of raw, unfiltered insight. Beyond that, I’m fascinated by social trends and pop culture, they’re the pulse of attention today. For me, inspiration lives at that intersection, human behaviour and the ever-shifting culture that shapes it.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
Honestly, not much. I’m a classic over-sharer and will happily tell a story if it gets a laugh. My colleagues probably know more about me than they ever asked for!
In five years' time I'll be….
In five years, I want to be in a role where I’m still learning, leading, and making an impact, whether that’s as a Sales Director inside a media business or taking the leap into building my own. For me, the goal is growth, influence, and enjoying the ride along the way.
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