Taylor Hadlow.
In this series, AdNews spotlights young talent in the Australian media, marketing and advertising sector. This time it's Connected Media's senior paid media manager Taylor Hadlow.
Time in current role/time at the company:
2.5 years.
How long have you been in the industry?
5 years.
How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
When I started university, my plan was to become an accountant or work in finance. That changed during my commerce degree when a compulsory marketing subject really clicked for me. I became especially interested in how accounting and finance teams work alongside marketing, and that sparked my shift into the marketing and media industry.
Who is your right hand person/who guides you day to day?
It really depends on the task at hand - there are a few key people I lean on day to day. Laura Hamod-Barnes (Connected founder & CEO) is my go-to for programmatic; she consistently challenges my thinking and pushes both my knowledge and the agency’s programmatic footprint forward. Todd Leussink (Senior account director) has been my right-hand person for most of my career at Connected, particularly across client accounts. Chloe Jovanoska (Account director) is my right-hand person for more technical work, including ad trafficking and backend processes.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
It’s very much a work‑hard, play‑hard industry. You can never sit still or afford to fall behind, which I love. I tend to do my best work under pressure, and the fast pace keeps me motivated and engaged.
And the biggest challenge?
You really can’t fall behind. It’s amazing how much can change, or be missed, in just two weeks of leave.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
At the moment, I’m focused on carving out my own path at Connected. I don’t have a single role in mind. I enjoy different aspects of everyone’s job and want to continue building something that draws from all of that.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
It depends on what I need inspiration for. If it’s surviving early mornings, it’s definitely my family, they’re all members of the 4am club.
My favourite advert is (and why):
‘Why’d they build the Great Wall of China? To keep the rabbits out.” – Telstra. It defines my childhood and is the first ad I really remember. It’s unforgettable and remains an iconic Aussie ad.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
This might be cliché, but most people at work already know everything about me. As they often say, I always have a story for everything!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
I actually have no clue, but that’s fine with me!
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