Maz Fornasier.
In this series, AdNews spotlights young talent in the Australian media, marketing and advertising sector. This time it's OMD Melbourne's account manager Maz Fornasier.
Time in current role/time at the company
4 years
4 years
How long have you been in the industry?
4 years! This is actually my first job in media.
4 years! This is actually my first job in media.
How did you get here?
I finished uni with a degree in History/Sociology and a degree in PR. I kept my options pretty broad because I never really knew where I fit. When I moved to Melbourne in 2022, I figured marketing and advertising was probably where I'd end up, but I landed in a media agency instead. Looking back, it actually makes perfect sense. Media sits at the intersection of culture, psychology, creativity, business and storytelling, which are all things I've always gravitated towards. It's also opened doors I never imagined, including representing my agency at Cannes this year!
I finished uni with a degree in History/Sociology and a degree in PR. I kept my options pretty broad because I never really knew where I fit. When I moved to Melbourne in 2022, I figured marketing and advertising was probably where I'd end up, but I landed in a media agency instead. Looking back, it actually makes perfect sense. Media sits at the intersection of culture, psychology, creativity, business and storytelling, which are all things I've always gravitated towards. It's also opened doors I never imagined, including representing my agency at Cannes this year!
Was this always the plan?
There was no plan. There has never been a plan. Despite being a media planner, I've learnt that the more you plan your life, the more life gets in the way and ruins the plan. The best opportunities I've had have come from saying yes to things I never expected!
There was no plan. There has never been a plan. Despite being a media planner, I've learnt that the more you plan your life, the more life gets in the way and ruins the plan. The best opportunities I've had have come from saying yes to things I never expected!
Who is your right-hand person/who guides you day to day?
This might sound a little arrogant, but over the past four years I've learnt to trust my own judgement a lot more. Working across so many different clients and categories forces you to back yourself and listen to your intuition. That said, I'm so lucky to work with some incredible people. This year especially, Carly Heverin, my Account Director, has been a fantastic mentor and teacher.
This might sound a little arrogant, but over the past four years I've learnt to trust my own judgement a lot more. Working across so many different clients and categories forces you to back yourself and listen to your intuition. That said, I'm so lucky to work with some incredible people. This year especially, Carly Heverin, my Account Director, has been a fantastic mentor and teacher.
What's the best thing about the industry you work in?
How fast everything moves. There's constantly a new platform, format or opportunity emerging, and working closely with publishers and media partners means we get exposed to it all first. Learning is basically part of the job description!
How fast everything moves. There's constantly a new platform, format or opportunity emerging, and working closely with publishers and media partners means we get exposed to it all first. Learning is basically part of the job description!
And the biggest challenge?
Also how fast everything moves! Sometimes it feels impossible to stay across everything happening in media because the landscape changes constantly. You kind of have to accept that you'll never know everything and just stay curious.
Also how fast everything moves! Sometimes it feels impossible to stay across everything happening in media because the landscape changes constantly. You kind of have to accept that you'll never know everything and just stay curious.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
Probably a job I don't know exists yet! One of my favourite things about this industry is discovering career paths and opportunities you never knew were possible. Strategy is the part of the job I gravitate towards most, but if the last four years have taught me anything, it's that trying to predict where I'll end up is probably pointless!
Probably a job I don't know exists yet! One of my favourite things about this industry is discovering career paths and opportunities you never knew were possible. Strategy is the part of the job I gravitate towards most, but if the last four years have taught me anything, it's that trying to predict where I'll end up is probably pointless!
Where do you turn for inspiration?
I love seeing the work coming out of my agency and learning from the people around me! I also look to publishers and media partners who are constantly bringing new ideas and products to market. Whether it's through industry programs like Snap Champs, a publisher presentation or a brilliant campaign, I'm always looking for new ways of thinking and new ideas to bring back to clients.
I love seeing the work coming out of my agency and learning from the people around me! I also look to publishers and media partners who are constantly bringing new ideas and products to market. Whether it's through industry programs like Snap Champs, a publisher presentation or a brilliant campaign, I'm always looking for new ways of thinking and new ideas to bring back to clients.
Tell us one thing people at work don't know about you?
People think I'm naturally confident because I love presenting, but I prepare obsessively. Before any big meeting or presentation I'll spend days rehearsing, talking to myself and practising what I want to say. I think people underestimate how much practice goes into seeming confident, even if that means sitting in your living room talking to yourself like a crazy person (it works!)
People think I'm naturally confident because I love presenting, but I prepare obsessively. Before any big meeting or presentation I'll spend days rehearsing, talking to myself and practising what I want to say. I think people underestimate how much practice goes into seeming confident, even if that means sitting in your living room talking to yourself like a crazy person (it works!)
In five years' time I'll be:
Hopefully still learning, still curious, and probably doing something that currently makes absolutely no sense on paper!
Hopefully still learning, still curious, and probably doing something that currently makes absolutely no sense on paper!
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