In this series, AdNews spotlights young talent in the Australian media, marketing and advertising sector. This time it's Vistar Media's account executive, Harry Hunt.
How long have you been in the industry?
6 years
6 years
How did you get here?
I landed in event management after studying advertising at uni. Covid hit, events shut down, and I was lucky to get a role at a media agency as a programmatic trader. I worked there for almost four years across some amazing accounts, but found the part of the job I loved most was connecting with people.
I landed in event management after studying advertising at uni. Covid hit, events shut down, and I was lucky to get a role at a media agency as a programmatic trader. I worked there for almost four years across some amazing accounts, but found the part of the job I loved most was connecting with people.
When programmatic DOOH started to appear, it clicked straight away for me. Even though it was small back then, I could see the potential. I annoyed my reps at Vistar for 18 months until they gave me a shot and I’m glad I did. When I joined, there were only 12 people in the AU office. Now we’re 35+. It feels good knowing I backed the right horse and have been part of growing something from its early days.
Was this always the plan?
Not exactly. I got into advertising chasing creativity. I always wanted to work in strategy, but I was cornered into trading pretty quickly (good traders are hard to find, so pivoting wasn’t easy). Moving into ad tech sales felt like the next best thing. It combines strategy with people: helping clients identify problems and pulling the right levers to deliver outcomes.
What excites me about ad tech specifically is that it’s not just sales - we’re driving behavioural change. We’re asking clients to do something differently to how they’ve always done it, and that requires both trust and creativity.
Who is your right-hand person/who guides you day to day?
My manager Becks Pirrie has been amazing (she's an absolute weapon). Becks gave me the structure and guidance I needed at the start, but the freedom to carve out my own path since. That’s one of the benefits of being in a smaller, fast-growing company: a flatter hierarchy and more chances to be part of senior conversations early on.
My manager Becks Pirrie has been amazing (she's an absolute weapon). Becks gave me the structure and guidance I needed at the start, but the freedom to carve out my own path since. That’s one of the benefits of being in a smaller, fast-growing company: a flatter hierarchy and more chances to be part of senior conversations early on.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
Cliché but true - the people. I’ve built genuine friendships with so many clients, which takes the pressure off. As our Managing Director, Ben Baker says, people don’t buy products, people buy people. I literally get paid to ask questions and make sure people are happy – and that’s a pretty good gig.
Cliché but true - the people. I’ve built genuine friendships with so many clients, which takes the pressure off. As our Managing Director, Ben Baker says, people don’t buy products, people buy people. I literally get paid to ask questions and make sure people are happy – and that’s a pretty good gig.
And the biggest challenge?
Education and outdated thinking. pDOOH solves so many different challenges, but helping clients know when to use it and how to measure can be tough. The job isn’t just selling inventory, it’s selling a new way of doing something clients have done for decades. That’s the hard part but also the exciting part.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
Ben Baker, our Managing Director. He’s worked bloody hard for seven years building Vistar here. He deserves to be horizontal on a daybed in the Philippines. I’d be more than happy to hold the fort for him.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
People. I’m always asking questions, whether it’s to colleagues, clients or friends in other industries. The way people solve problems in their own fields always teaches me something I can bring back to this job.
People. I’m always asking questions, whether it’s to colleagues, clients or friends in other industries. The way people solve problems in their own fields always teaches me something I can bring back to this job.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I know a little about a lot… I’ve worked in hospitality, construction, teaching, events, aged care – you name it. The result is a very eclectic CV and a toolkit of skills that are completely wasted in media, unless someone at work needs a half-decent margarita, to fix a broken desk, or someone to referee a game of touch footy.
In five years’ time I’ll be:
No idea. Hopefully happy, hopefully surrounded by good people. If the work I’m doing makes people’s lives a bit easier and gives them more time to focus on what they love, I’ll count that as a win.
No idea. Hopefully happy, hopefully surrounded by good people. If the work I’m doing makes people’s lives a bit easier and gives them more time to focus on what they love, I’ll count that as a win.
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
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