Joined MercerBell August 2011

First impressions of MercerBell
Talented people. Lots of great snacks. Genuinely genuine.

My first job in advertising or marketing
Working for a London fashion retailer as the Marketing Assistant’s Assistant. Role comprised phoning couriers to send womenswear to magazines for editorial, then filing it all away again when returned. Oh…and making tea!

My career high to date has been
I was elated when I was made Account Director on the NSPCC – National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (UK’s leading children’s charity) in London – it is a prestigious account in the market, as well as the highest value and longest serving in the agency I worked at. I hadn’t managed a team that size before, nor a budget that big and was bursting with happiness that the management team had faith in me to do it, with all the pressure and expectation that came with it.

And, of course, every pitch that has been won that I’ve been part of rocks.

Initial impressions on the Australian vs. UK markets
My most profound initial impression and subsequent devastation was the difference in experience between Australian websites vs. the UK/US. Especially for retail and online shopping. It’s been harrowing. On the other hand, the customer service here face to face is far better than in the UK. But for online, there’s a massive gap.

What is it about your role that gets you excited?
I love working in a team – would go mental working alone. I love the expertise around me and have the utmost respect for all the specialists: creatives who start with a blank piece of paper, the planners who make complex problems simple, developers who build things from nothing.

What’s a quirky thing that no one knows about you?
I have a lot of bikes – have a penchant for racers.