DDA’s Post

Amplify promotes internally and expands team to focus on Australia and APAC expansion… Congratulations to Karina Munoz and Claire Hewitt from our Australian office, who have both been elevated to the newly created roles of General Manager and Head of Production, respectively. And a warm welcome back to Paige Lewis who has rejoined the team as Head of Brand + Growth APAC and will focus on expanding Amplify’s footprint and client base across the region. Amplify Founder Jonathan Emmins: “Sydney was Amplify’s first international office outside the UK, and in many ways set the blueprint for the LA, NY and Paris offices that followed. Due to client demand, Amplify continues to grow globally. It’s both exciting and reassuring to have long-standing members of the team founding and leading Amplify’s global hubs and ensuring when it comes to cross-office collaboration a ‘borderless agency mindset’. So, as we grow globally and expand further in APAC, it’s great to welcome Paige back in the new role of Head of Brand + Growth (APAC). Having worked on big global campaigns for clients including adidas, Samsung and KFC, and with stints in both Amplify’s UK and Australian hubs, we can’t think of anyone better to lead this next stage of growth. With her drive, smarts and infectious enthusiasm Paige will be using her broad marketing experience to help clients, existing and new, build worlds, break formats and create culture across the region”. Regarding the promotions, Gareth Davies, Managing Partner, Amplify Australia said: “It’s a thrill to be able to promote from within to fill these leadership roles, rewarding their incredible work and contribution to the business over the years, whilst leveraging their expertise in their respective disciplines to further build our business, culture and legacy. We welcome this new generation of female leadership and look forward to the impact they’ll make to the agency and the industry.” Thank you to AdNews Australia, B&T, Campaign Brief, Mediaweek Australia , Mi3Australia, Roastbrief and Mumbrella for covering the news. Read the full article in Mumbrella here: https://lnkd.in/d6GuKAcU Find out more about Amplify here: https://lnkd.in/eWQ_e6m4 #agency | #news | #creativity | #career | #experientialmarketing | #content | #APAC

Students in my network thinking about planner/strategy roles this is a MUST read. #CreativeLivesInProgress #CreativeCareers #CreativeAdvice #Strategy #BrandStrategy

Four Months In: From Agency PR to Internal Comms Four months ago, my career took a sharp turn: I left the vast world of a global corporate agency to steer the internal comms for a smaller, close-knit team. Was I scared? Absolutely. The change in scale was immense—going from international campaigns to intimate, team-focused communications felt like moving from an ocean liner to a sailing boat. The First Day – Nervous? More than ever. Stepping into the office, the weight of “new beginnings” hit me like a ton of bricks. It wasn't just a new desk. It was a whole new world of responsibilities and unspoken rules. First Month – The steep learning curve felt more like a vertical climb. Every task I completed came with a side of doubt, but slowly, I started turning the small wins into routines. Month Two and Three – Confidence began to sneak in. My voice found its place in meetings where I once only listened. I launched our monthly newsletter, and guess what? People didn’t just read it; they waited for it. Today – Four months in, and I'm crafting strategies, not just content. The wins? Still small, but they're stacking up. And that jittery newcomer? Turns out, she was just finding her footing. This journey has been one of the most daunting transitions of my professional life, but every challenging moment has been a stepping stone to a victory, however small. Here’s to more learning, more growth, and more tiny triumphs that lead to big changes.

In a recent conversation with the lovely Andy Macleod at Comma Partners, we discussed the unspoken and invisible barrier I've faced in recent months. Why are Corporates hesitant to seriously consider candidates from an Agency background for in-house comms roles? Undoubtedly, those with agency experience bring invaluable skills and capabilities to a corporate setting. During crises, they shine. They consistently prioritize their audience, ensuring that solutions have the best chance of success. Masters of stakeholder engagement, they adeptly navigate complex scenarios with strategic prowess, effortlessly managing multiple tasks. And their creativity and innovation are unparalleled. What's not to love? So tell me, why does this reluctance persist? I'm eager to hear everybody's thoughts on this matter.

What does it mean to "fit in" in an industry? 🔟 Does it mean having a certain number of years of experience? 🔌 Does it mean being "plugged in" to networking & events? 📓 Does it mean to know all the buzzwords? 🏙 Does it mean living in the city where that industry largely conducts business? When I first moved to New York City from Phoenix in 2013 for an #agency role, I didn't check any of these boxes. Sure, I was now living in the city of Madison Avenue, the city that lives and breathes #advertising, but: 🚩 I only had 3.5 years of agency tenure at a regional firm in Arizona. 🚩 I had never been to Cannes or read AdWeek. 🚩 I didn't know what an "RTB," "above the line" or an "ad-like object" meant. When I joined meetings or met clients, I felt out of place. I felt like a fraud. Never mind that I had 8️⃣ years of #marketing and #strategy experience. Or that I had worked on an insight for an award-winning experiential campaign (even if I might not have known it was called an "insight"!) 💡 Or that I had crafted 100s of actionable comms and go-to-market plans for clients across industries. 💪 At the time, all I thought was "I don't belong." And it didn't help when a very seasoned agency leader reminded me of my apparent lack of status right after I presented some strategic ways in. "So glad we're giving opportunities to people with unconventional backgrounds," he said. "Just remember, leave the big ideas to the creative team." Initially, I let him get to me. The #impostersyndrome kicked in big time. I even thought about leaving NYC. But joke's on him because it turns out that good ideas *can* come from anywhere. And that learning an industry inside out can be learned. 🔟 I now have 10 years of "pure" agency experience. 🔌 I've attended countless industry events, am part of the Forbes Agency Council and own my own firm (Co Conspirators). 📓 I know all the jargon ("6 Cs," "SWOT," and "pitch theater," anyone??) 🏙 I don't live in NYC but have more industry connections there now than I count. I didn't do these things for him–or anyone else. I did them for me. So I could feel as confident as possible serving the advertising industry each and every day. Enabling great work. And running my own firm. Remember that your experience counts, even if it doesn't fit nicely in a typical trajectory. 📉 Remember that no one else can tell you if you belong. 🌈 Remember that industry can be learned but passion, drive and commitment are the starting points. 🌟 And I couldn't end this post without thanking all the amazing people who look at talent and see possibilities, not resumes. The people who welcomed me to the "industry" from day one. Raig Adolfo, Karen Barnaby, Carin Nardone & Holly Mourgues - I'm looking at you 💛

While many people in the industry lament the death of the Idea, rise of clients who 'want a movement or viral videos', woke culture and every darn thing pandering to Gen MZs etc, I love advertising. It's still a rush after 30 years. My first big agency was Denstu, Young & Rubicam (DYR). I started on Valentine's Day 1994, hired by Patrick Low (who just celebrated his birthday - Happy Belated Birthday Patrick Low) and Mark Fong. Unlike other MNCs that were padded with foreign talents, the DYR creative department was made up of locals with two token Americans. Never knowing my place, I used to bug Pat about hiring hot shot creatives of that day. People like Mark Ringer, Scott Lambert, Jonathan Biggins, Kurt Detweiler but Pat would always brush me aside like a father does a pesky child. He would say, 'better a team player than someone who is immensely talented'. I never really got that, often wondering if Pat envisioned a likely mutiny. Today, if I have to choose between a creative oozing ideas out of his/her ear vs someone who is a team player or willing to be one, it's a no brainer. Especially given the state of our local ad scene. The Singapore Ad industry has not invested in the future and does not have a steady pipeline of eager-beaver talents from our ad schools/courses. Instead we have many pretenders, those who consider their OOTD+socials+amateur photography as 'creative folio'. (Don't get me started on the 'writers'.) Of course, we want to unearth the next weirdly wonderful creative whiz or that fiercely independent thinker. It's a mini Holy Grail in itself. But the bigger prize is in building a championship-worthy team or one that can contend consistently. Phil Jackson who coached Michael Jordan said, "The strength of each member is the team." Who am I to disagree with Phil, Pat and the GOAT #23? Happy hiring in 2024! #adagency #advertising #creatives #creativetalent #teamculture #hiring

Ever have some news you can’t wait to share? It’s a full circle moment! Regan Zeebuyth has joined Syndio as our Vice President of Communications (if you read my Mother’s Day post, Regan is the one who hired me at Starbucks, after I took time off to raise my kids). Regan is an expert at internal and external communications, having worked with some of the world’s best brands like T-Mobile, Starbucks, and most recently Amazon where he led building out the entire internal communications practice. Companies are in a new age of transparency and must craft strategies for how they communicate internally and externally. The EU Directive on Pay Transparency–which has elements that U.S. states are increasingly adopting–requires disclosure of career progression (why’d that person get promoted?), right to information (does that guy make more than me?), and unadjusted gaps (how is your company retaining, promoting and hiring people?). It’s a communication minefield. At Syndio, we bring on the best talent to help our customers anticipate & navigate the next phase of complexity. If you are worried about how your company will approach communications in the era of transparency, we have the technology and the expertise to help. Welcome Regan, so happy to have you on the team!

Just when you thought things couldn’t possibly be any more exciting at Heller…we’ve got some BIG news that’ll blow your socks clean off!    Before you even think of sitting down, get ready to jump back up—our creative kitchen at Team Heller is cooking up something monumental. We're not just announcing a new hire here; we’re making an announcement about setting new standards. That’s right, we’re adding a seasoned veteran to head up our Creative team and we want the world to know it.     This creative maestro brings an impressive track record of:  Crafting over 60 TV spots  Producing more than 400 videos  Leading initiatives for over 45 brands, including 15 dynamic launches  Spearheading more than 40 new business pitches  Collecting a host of MM&M, Manny, Telly, and Rx Club awards    This isn't just about one person’s success, though. It's about the fresh perspectives and new capabilities that come with our latest addition. His arrival marks a new chapter for us at Heller, where the scope of what we can accomplish together just got a whole lot broader, extending well beyond even the complex world of pharma.    So, without further ado, join us in giving our new Chief Creative Officer, Rick Conrad, a huge welcome! His blend of leadership, creativity, and vision is exactly what we need as we embark on the road ahead. Here’s to all that we will achieve as a team, together. Cheers!    #HellerAgency #HellerEffect #AgencyLife #FutureOfPharma #FutureOfAdvertising #RickConrad #YesHeGetsHisOwnHashtag #CreativeDynamite #BringingTheHype 

💬 In an in-depth interview with Branding in Asia, our APAC CEO Rupert McPetrie talks about the first year since the formation of EssenceMediacom, creating breakthroughs for brands in the new communications economy, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, work for clients he is most proud of, goals and priorities for the future, and much more. "As we celebrated our first birthday as EssenceMediacom, we reflected on an excellent year, but with the pace of change, and our ambition for our clients and our people, there remains so much opportunity in front of us. My focus as ever will be on our people and our clients." 🤝 Read the full interview below 👇 #BreakthroughForBrands #NewCommunicationsEconomy

💬 In an in-depth interview with Branding in Asia, our APAC CEO Rupert McPetrie talks about the first year since the formation of EssenceMediacom, creating breakthroughs for brands in the new communications economy, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, work for clients he is most proud of, goals and priorities for the future, and much more. "As we celebrated our first birthday as EssenceMediacom, we reflected on an excellent year, but with the pace of change, and our ambition for our clients and our people, there remains so much opportunity in front of us. My focus as ever will be on our people and our clients." 🤝 Read the full interview below 👇 #BreakthroughForBrands #NewCommunicationsEconomy