Young Gun profiles takes a look at the young talent across the Australian advertising, adtech, marketing and media sector. Aiming to shed light on the varying roles, people and companies across the buzzing industry.
Shani Moon: programmatic associate at Carat
Time in current role/time at company:
Approximately seven months now since April 2023.
How long have you been in the industry?
Seven months!
How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
I pursued a Bachelor of Advertising Communications at RMIT University, driven by my love for copywriting, graphic design, and marketing. My interest was initially planted by a high school teacher who recommended the field of advertising when I asked where they would see me in the future.
From the outset, I aspired to contribute my skills to a prominent global company, engaging with a range of diverse and intriguing clients, and this led me to dentsu and Carat.
Who is your right-hand who guides you day to day?
Without a doubt, my right-hand is Shalini Nonis (programmatic executive). From day one, Shalini has been by my side, providing invaluable support during onboarding and seamlessly assisting in the coordination of daily activities for our clients, Medibank and ahm. Even during the hustle and bustle of a busy season, Shalini skillfully managed her own workload while dedicating time to train and mentor me.
I'd also like to extend a special acknowledgment to a stellar team that has contributed to my growth—Ellie McDonough, Arik Balolong, May Lau, Chloe Ma, Derrick Vo, and Christian Fallia.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
The work speaks for itself – as someone who enjoys being creative while being analytical, the continuous evolution of the programmatic industry provides a ground for honing and expanding my skill.
It's impossible to discuss the merits of this industry without acknowledging the people who you work with. From client teams to publishers, the collaboration and collective expertise of the individuals I work with contribute significantly to the vibrancy within the field.
And the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge is keeping up with everything that is new and knowing that you won’t be able to be an expert in every corner of your field. Whether you're seven months or seven years into programmatic advertising, the pace at which it evolves ensures that the learning curve remains steep for everyone.
Whose job have you set your sight on in the future?
No job in particular, as I’m still learning about all the positions that are within my reach. After succeeding as an executive though, I would love to explore further clients and creative opportunities.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
The internet; movies, music, social media, others’ success stories to motivate and inspire my work – if other people can do it, then nothing is stopping me.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you:
I love friendly competition whether that is competing in Miss World Australia VIC Preliminary Finals, video games, attending acting school, or ping pong on level seven in the office...
In five years’ time I’ll be:
In five years' time, I’ll have a wealth of knowledge in this field, build many valuable connections in the workplace, and will have lived out my manifested European summer.
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