Our Young Guns profile takes a weekly look at some of the young talent across the advertising, ad tech, marketing and media sector in Australia. It aims to shed light on the varying roles, people and companies across the buzzing industry. Last week we spoke to Mindshare's strategy director Caitlin Lloyd.
This week we head to Sydney to speak to IPG Mediabrands talent specialist Marco Villella.
How long have you been in the industry?
Five years.
Duration in current role/time at the company:
Seven months.
What were you doing before this job and how did you get this gig?
Prior to my role at Mediabrands, I created and grew Hart Recruitment’s Digital & Media Division from scratch.
Define your job in one word:
Navigator.
What were your real and cliché expectations of working in the industry?
I was convinced that no one wore suits, there was no one under the age of 35, people played ping pong for most of the day and had long lunches on the regular.
How does the reality match up?
It is really, really rare to ever find anyone in a suit, maybe our Group CEO from time to time. We actually have a really diverse group of employees here. From working Mums and Dads, young graduates starting out their careers, to people who have been with the company for over 20 years. People do play a lot of ping pong, but only on Friday afternoons and depending which department you’re in, you do get to have fun lunches. But let me make one thing clear, people work very hard in order to eat well.
How would you describe what the company does and what does your role involve?
We help brands reach, connect and remain in touch with their customers through sophisticated marketing and media communications.
In my role, I am responsible for connecting talent across a number of skills sets and experiences to opportunities within the Mediabrands family. I also work with our people to define their career maps.
Best thing about the industry you work in:
It is incredibly fast-paced and no day is ever the same. I may be a little biased, but our industry has some of the most intelligent, creative thinking and grateful people in the country’s workforce.
Any major hard learnings in the job so far?
The best solution to a problem is often not the obvious one.
If you had to switch over to another department, which would it be and why?
Cadreon has a consulting team responsible for working with our clients to solve business problems, not just through media and advertising. An incredible bunch of really smart and likeable people.
What's exciting you about the industry right now?
Our industry and in particularly Mediabrands, is going through a state of rapid change right now to continually focus our services. There’s always a new player or new disruption to the market, creating strategies to deal with this is always exciting.
What concerns you about the industry and its future?
We are often really concerned with finding the perfect person, some skills we’re looking for either don’t exist or are extremely rare and new. I think we should look to hire people for the attitude and desire to learn more, rather than always hunting for a Loch Ness Monster.
Who's your right hand person/who guides you day to day?
Brooke Antman and Lisa Gray – two of the most warm and intelligent women in the business.
And your almighty mentor that you hope to dethrone?
Inside my own team it is Lisa Gray, but I have been fortunate enough to work with other mentors outside my own department such as UM’s Toby Young (national connections design director) and Ash Krstanovski (client director).
Career-wise, where do you see yourself in 2020 and how do you plan on getting there?
As long as I am still at Mediabrands in a role where I can work with people to help develop their careers and reach their potential, then I’ll be a happy man.
What is the elephant in the room? The thing that no one is talking about – but they should be.
I think we are too quick to accept churn as the “reality of our industry” and “it is what it is”. But we should do more and can do more to keep our talent. We listen to people tell us about their experiences, but are we actively trying to solve the negatives?
Where do you turn for inspiration?
My family, friends and work colleagues. That’s probably a little cliché, but I’m close to a lot of really smart people who bring a lot of perspective.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I was selected to be in the Australian Youth Choir when I was in Year 3. But unfortunately I was unable to attend the trainings and my dreams of a young pop star were shattered…
Favourite advert is:
Nike – The Cage
What’s your personal motto?
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
I got into advertising/ad tech/marketing etc because:
It’s constantly evolving and changing and encompasses a lot of what I studied at university – Commerce, Marketing and HR (so being a recruiter in this space brings it all together nicely).
If I wasn't doing this for a living, I'd be:
A teacher or sports journalist.
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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