In this series, AdNews spotlights young talent in the Australian media, marketing and advertising sector. This time it's CarExpert's digital account executive Callum Lediott.
Time in current role/time at the company:
11 Month’s at CarExpert & as a digital account executive.
How long have you been in the industry?
Just over 3 years.
How did you get here?
My career started after I posted out to LinkedIn as a fresh graduate right when covid was at its peak open to anything around the marketing industry. I was approached by a Media Agency (Principle Media Group) via LinkedIn for a Media Coordinator Role working on a variety of mainstream companies such as Sportbset, Bob Jane & KenoGO on the traditional side of marketing from OOH, Radio, TVC etc. From here I worked my way up to an Investment Executive and stayed for a few more months before being approach by CarExpert for my current role. Having a huge passion for the automotive industry (and being a car geek in general) I had to take this opportunity to involved in an awesome start up business that also included some close friends of mine in the business.
Was this always the plan?
I would say partially the plan, I wanted to go into the business world in general, but I think as I went through my uni course, marketing/media was the standout for me as I love being involved in creating things that you get to show off to the world. To show this with my great passion for cars and the automotive industry I defiantly knew I wanted to work for either a manufacture like Toyota within the marketing or sales team.
Who is your right-hand person/who guides you day to day?
I couldn’t say I have a one right hand person within my role, as the team of 4 I’m involved in are all a huge guide for me in my day-to-day and to say that. From my Sales Director Maddie Harris to my account managers Marcus Edwards & Luis Zakaroff, we all click very well together, and I think this dynamic truly represents on the business I work for, to show that you can build a great professional career while making some amazing friends along the way and this is what I would call my team.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
For media sales, the biggest thing that I have grown from and found is the best thing about being where I am is the relationships you build. In media there is so many talented and authentic people that you can really connect with. The one thing I have learnt so far, is that everyone knows everyone, so it’s great to show how all the industry can be very relatable at times.
And the biggest challenge?
How rapid the industry can change between days, weeks and months. You need to stay on top of the trends and keep building your rapport and interest within every aspect of the industry. You never know, as something can drastically shift into another direction then your whole plan may have to be changed or put you back to square one.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future? I’d love to eventually step into an Account Manager role within my VIC Sales Team. While currently working on a development plan to get there, it’s the best next step especially within a great business that I am truly passionate for and taking on more of a leader role across the accounts we have.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
I would say my past colleagues, they were there from my first day as a Media Coordinator and lead me into enjoying the work I do now. Friends also have a big place for my inspiration as they can give you an aspect on things outside of work but can also be relatable to the point this can be very transparent into how you act and what you can do for your own future self to make sure you are on the right path.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
This is always the hardest question to answer as I always tell everyone everything, as I am bit of a chatter.
In five years' time I'll be….
In five years I would want to be moving towards that next step hopefully within CarExpert and have built up my expertise and skills to maybe be more involved within the editorial side of the business, taking my passion and actually start being involved in the content that we publish. It is still early days for me, so happy to just keep building my relationships and thriving from there.
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