Introducing Sales Executive based in Adelaide, Margherita McAuliffe as she shares what motivates her and tips to relax and unwind.
Q1. Tell us about your career to-date and your path to becoming Sales Executive at Seven’s Adelaide office?
I have been in the media industry for 30+ years, working in radio, advertising agencies and TV in New Zealand and Australia.
When I moved back to Australia in 2010, I accidentally bumped into an old Rep of mine at Seven and he told me there was a job going at the Network; I applied, and 12 years later, I’m still here!
Q2. What’s your favourite part of the role and why?
I enjoy being in a fun and energetic team environment who strive to do their best – I also love entertaining clients as part of my role – and being fortunate enough to do lots of cool things people in other jobs don’t have the opportunity to do.
Q3. What motivates you and what would you say has been the key to your success?
Great outcomes for clients and ensuring they are happy with every aspect of their television and digital campaigns. I also enjoying winning big pieces of business (and get grumpy when I don’t). The key to my success is being very thorough, attentive, servicing my clients as best as I can and forging good relationships with them.
Q4. 2022 is a huge year for content. What are you most excited to watch?
Big Brother – I love this show. All the twists and turns and colourful characters, I believe this year is going to be the best ever!
Q5. How do you relax and unwind?
I love reading a good book as well as going for a sneaky massage once-in-a-while. I also enjoy baking cakes and catching up with family and friends.
Q6. What does a typical weekend look like for you?
Sport, sport and more sport! My 8 year-old plays Soccer, Athletics and Basketball and my 15 year-old competes in Triathlons, Duathlons and Athletics. Between playing and training, there doesn’t leave much room for anything else – but I love it and wouldn’t change a thing!
In this weeks’ Face to Face, we meet Sport Sales Manager, Stephen Johnston as he shares insights about the consumption of live sport, plus some tips to coaching Under 6s AFL!
Q1. How did you venture into the world of sport sales?
I started my career in Melbourne at Nine followed by Prime7. I moved to Sydney in 2007 where I was fortunate to lead the Prime7 sport sales team. I transitioned over to the 7Sport sales team about 6-7 years ago.
Q2. Tell us about a typical working day for you.
I drop my eldest at school. Catch up on trade press. Meet with my team mates and review ongoing partner campaigns. Present 7Sport opportunities to brands. Commonwealth Games go to market and is currently in full swing. Plenty of external & internal online meetings – looking forward to getting out and about for face to face meetings.
Q3. If you could give your 20-year-old self a piece of advice, what would it be?
Invest in something prior to loading up on overseas travel.
Q4. What has been your biggest challenge from the last year and what do you do to stay motivated?
The beauty of media sales is there is rarely any downtime and there is always a challenge. We’ve come off a massive 12 months from a sport content perspective with Tokyo 2020, Beijing 2022, the Ashes, AFL and more. The Commonwealth Games is less than 75 days away so we are full steam ahead planning.
I am lucky to form part of a high achieving Sport Sales team who keep each other motivated.
Q5. Have you noticed a shift with audience behaviour in the way that they consume live sport or sports content?
Absolutely yes over a number of years but Tokyo 2020 on 7plus was a game changer with how the audience was handed ultimate control over which sport they watched, when and on what platform. I’m excited to see how that consumption evolves for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
Q6. We’ve heard you’re a big AFL fan, who is your favourite team?
Western Bulldogs. Slow start to the year for the dogs. My dad in Melbourne isn’t too happy with their performance so far. I enjoy taking my kids to see the GWS Giants and Sydney Swans.
I am lucky – my three young fellas are keen to go to all sport – footy, cricket, supercars, horse racing, anything really.
Q7. Lastly, we learned that you coach AFL on the side (including your kids). What do you think makes a good coach?
Yes the under 10s and under 6s at the mighty Glebe Greyhounds junior club! It’s very serious stuff, especially the under 6s. If we lose a game the Johnston household isn’t a pleasant place to be on Saturday nights. I had hair prior to taking on this responsibility. For proper strategic coaching tips, I suggest you interview my colleague Peter Quinn.
In this weeks’ Face to Face, Bree Johnson shares what her Sales Coordinator role entails and her journey at Seven as well as her go-to spot in Brissy!
Q1. What made you want to join Seven?
Working for a market leader is what initially drew me to Seven. Fresh out of University and unfamiliar with the Media industry, I never expected to land the role of Sales Coordinator. Luckily for me, I had a very close friend working for Seven at the time who reached out and encouraged me to apply. Almost four years later, I have made lifelong friends and learned so much that I will value for years to come.
Q2. Tell us a bit about what your role involves as Sales Coordinator?
Having been at Seven since 2018, I have worked as a Sales Coordinator across Broadcast and Digital. My day-to-day includes assisting in the implementation and management of campaigns as well as putting together converged brief responses for clients. I also have been in the Salespro team for a few years representing the Brisbane market where I assist in the training and development of new and existing team members.
Q3. Do you have any predictions for the media industry this year now that travel is back and there’s some normality in people’s lives?
It will be great for the Media industry to get back into the social scene. I think the return of events will have a positive influence on everyone’s well-being and help harness relationships. We are already seeing a strong advertising market and I think this will only grow more as the world goes back to normal.
Q4. What’s the most creative campaign that you’ve seen so far in 2022 and why?
I think the new Qantas ad featuring a remake of Peter Allen’s ‘I Still Call Australia Home’ is extremely emotive and well done. Covid obviously hit the travel industry hard, and to see the world opening again and people being able to reunite with friends and family is so special.
Q5. Who or what inspires you most?
I get inspired by the people around me. Whether that be friends, family, or colleagues. I am lucky to be surrounded by great people at Seven, and they always inspire me to work harder and go after my goals.
Q6. Finally, what does a day off look like for you and what do you get up to in your spare time?
In my spare time, you can catch me wining and dining with friends – An afternoon down at Howard Smith Wharves is always a winner! I also enjoy simply relaxing and unwinding at home with a good book, cuddling (aka annoying) my two cats, and of course, watching the AFL any chance I get. Go Bulldogs!
In this months’ Face to Face, we catch up with Senior Sales Executive, Clarissa Chun in the Sydney office. She chats through her career to date, her inspirations and where’s next on her travel bucket list.
Q1. Tell us about your career journey so far?
I started my media career at Seven, a little over five years ago, in the Broadcast team as a Sales Coordinator. When we brought our digital offerings back in house, that’s when I moved over to the Digital Sales team where I learnt everything I could about video and online advertising and I’m now working across both broadcast and digital.
Q2. You recently moved from Digital to Broadcast, tell us about the transition and why you made the move?
The transition from Digital to Broadcast was quite smooth since I previously used work in the Broadcast team. I was already familiar with the language, software and system they used. The main reason why I decided to move is because it was an opportunity to work in the Convergent team in Central Sales and being able to use everything I’ve learnt at Seven in my new role. It has been great being able to have both Broadcast and Digital conversations with our clients/agencies and providing holistic solutions for their campaigns and businesses.
Q3. What are your most looking forward to from Seven’s upcoming content slate for 2022?
Big Brother! I’m a big lover of reality TV and Big Brother is one of my all-time favourites. I can’t wait to see the new housemates and what’s in store for the upcoming season.
Q4. Who inspires you?
Queen B (aka Beyonce)! She’s one of the most emblematic female figures in today’s world and how she empowers women is something I think is particularly inspirational. She puts her super stardom to good use, standing up for social issues like advocating for gender equality, as well as creating radical, well-written music.
Q5. When you aren’t working on exciting tentpoles, what are you getting up to?
Mostly eating, drinking and catching up with friends and family. I’ve also been reading quite a bit ever since I discovered BookTok/BookTube during lockdown (if anyone ever needs any book recommendations, go on TikTok or Youtube! I have no doubt you’ll find something there), and I’ve set myself a challenge this year to read 50 books this year – I’m currently finishing book #11.
Q6. Finally, now that international travel is back again. Where’s first on your list?
Cuba and Cartagena, Colombia! My husband and I were meant to go there for our honeymoon back in 2020, so hopefully we can get over there soon!
In this months’ Face to Face, we sit down with Partnerships Executive, Amie Albergo from Melbourne. Amie talks us through the exciting projects she’s working on and how her team are prepped and ready in the ever-changing media landscape.
Q1. Congratulations on your recent appointment as Partnership Executive! Could you give us a quick summary of what this new position entails…?
My position as a Partnership Executive is to work closely with a specific program/s. I get to work with all markets and clients on opportunities that will execute a successful partnership connecting their brand and our program seamlessly in line with their business objectives. Currently, SAS Australia and Dancing With The Stars: All Stars have been my recent focus. They’re just about to launch and I’m very much looking forward to watching them!
Q2. Tell us about your career journey so far and what’s your goal?
I have worked at Seven Network for six years now. I was initially hired as a Sales Coordinator and very quickly realised I wanted to step up, so I aimed for that. When I achieved the promotion to Sales Executive, I was fortunate enough to work across a very wide variety of Melbourne agencies and clients. Now, in a 7RED Partnership Executive role, it’s keeping my cup full especially with being new to the 7RED team. I’d like to learn much more and my goal is to gain as much experience and knowledge from the incredible people I work with and to grow. I love the media industry; it’s constantly advancing with the times and encouraging us all to adapt!
Q3. As the media landscape constantly shifts and evolves, what do you think is the biggest challenge that the partnerships team must start preparing for?
As the media landscape shifts, we see clients moving their budgets across different platforms of advertising. This isn’t always permanent and can be to trial something new for them. I think it’s important that partnerships remain a big focus for brands as there is a proven cut-through and they hit mass audience on scale. With that movement, it does become challenging, however given the strength of a partnership the team welcome this and can adapt and compliment client’s objectives. We are constantly working on innovative and creative ways to partner with our clients.
Q4. What do you get up to in your spare time?
I have recently moved close to the coast and have since taken up surfing which is a newly found hobby. Let’s hope I keep it up during the freezing winter months!
Q5. Finally, favourite coffee shop in Melbourne?
I’m not the biggest coffee drinker, but I do enjoy a caramel latte from Vacation Coffee on Exhibition Street.
In this month’s Face to Face, we catch up with Andrew Brain, Director Audience Intelligence, located in Sydney. We dive into his predictions for the year ahead, his sporting highlights from the summer and his tips for staying positive during these ever-changing times.
Q1. What are your predictions for 2022?
Two words – ‘Consent’ and ‘Utility’. With 3rd party cookies soon to be a thing of the past, publishers with deterministic audience insights will have absolute focus from brands looking to find a ‘consented customer’ so they can sell a product or service. With ‘privacy’ being the battleground for big-tech platforms and the ACCC, publishers will need to find new innovative and valuable ways for audiences to hit ‘allow’ and give consent for publisher to access valuable data, and that value exchange comes from ‘utility’. If you look at banks and insurance companies, they’re delivering more consumer upside via rewards programs just for being an account or policy holder. They aren’t doing this for the goodness of their customer bases but it allows them to capture consent to your data and use it as part of their audience insight and modelling toolsets.
Q2. Your biggest highlight from the Summer of Sport on Seven?
As an Englishman – I’ll tell you one that was not a highlight… The Ashes! I’m burning it from my memory! As I do like a small punt on the weekend, I’d say the horse racing coverage across both New South Wales and Victoria has been top class. Not forgetting the other race that stops a nation, Bathurst 1000. The production team should be commended on the amazing camera work as the access a viewer gets to the drivers and teams when the race is underway is superb. I’m certainly no petrol head, but the science and the maths involved is mindboggling… honestly! (ok…nerd alert!).
Q3. What are your most looking forward to this year?
Our audience intelligence platform, 7REDiQ will be available for agencies to access themselves – to extract insights for them to plan, buy and measure their campaigns across Seven easily. Seven to again be #1.
Q4. The best way to switch off and unwind amidst the changing and uncertain COVID-environment?
Be active, stay healthy and connected to as many people as you can.
Q5. Favourite meal and why?
It’s hard to give a definitive answer here as I do love food. Saying that, anyone that knows me would say Brainy’s partial to a good Indian (Goat Curry) washed down with a Kingfisher lager!
In this weeks’ Face to Face, we chat to Tom Alver in the Sydney Sales team. We find out about his journey into the media industry and what content he’s most excited about coming to Seven’s screens in 2022.
Q1. Tell us about your career and where you were before Seven:
Prior to Seven, I started my media career at Southern Cross Austereo in 2018. It started from a chance work experience where I was taking listener calls on the breakfast shows and finding content from every day Aussies. Then, I landed my first gig in the promotions team in Radio for 2dayFM and TripleM. Shortly after, I moved into the TV side of the business working in Sales across Regional TV and learnt about all the places and brands I didn’t even know existed. Before dipping my toes into the media world, I had a long retail career in managing multiple fashion brands but I finally made the big change.
My three-and-a-half-year media career has been a big positive whirlwind so far with a great deal of exposure into the diverse world with only more to uncover and discover. Moving to Seven and representing TV advertising in Metro has been challenging but ultimately an invaluable experience.
Q2. What does a typical day look like in your role?
Day to day, I’m liaising with a variety of agencies and clients in helping brands maximise their potential through great audience stories and outcomes for all involved. I respond on exciting briefs and help launch new products into the market. I work closely with the strategy and digital team and watch them work their magic at bringing integrations to life. It’s been great to start learning how much work and creative thinking goes into these campaigns.
Q3. What’s been the biggest challenge for you and your favourite project that you’ve worked on this year?
Working on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics has been my highlight so far. It was great to be a part of such an iconic and historic sporting moment. With another year of Covid and lockdowns, there were many times I thought Tokyo 2020 wouldn’t happen. In the end I think it came at a great time, helping to bring inspiring stories to the forefront and bring the uplifting content we all needed.
My biggest challenge has been working from home. On one hand it’s been great to have the extra time but I do like having the separation between work and home life.
Q4. Seven’s content slate for 2022 is the biggest line-up yet, what are you most excited for?
I’m most excited for the new season of SAS. It’s the one show that I get absolutely hooked on! Which is pretty much me saying “I could never” on repeat. Of course, The Winter Olympics I’m even more keen for. What other time in your life do you all of the sudden have an interest in ice skating routines?
Q5. Finally, what do you get up to in your spare time?
In my spare time I try to play as much tennis as possible. I’m always finding my Zen at pretty places across Sydney and I’m frequently mastering cocktails at home. I am now the king of Margarita’s and Lychee Martini’s however the list goes on!
In this week’s Face to Face, we chat to Tim Hunter – Group Sales Manager. After enduring the world’s longest lockdown, Tim shares what he’ll be getting up to with his regained freedom and the sport events he’s most excited for. He also discusses how consumption of sport content is ever evolving and the new trends coming to market.
Q1. Tell us a bit about your journey so far working for Seven and starting your new role as Group Sales Manager in Melbourne:
Media was always an area that I found interesting and after graduating from university in 2015, I wasn’t entirely sure what my next step was going to be. I knew some people at Seven and heard that they were on the lookout for a new Sales Coordinator and was lucky enough to start my first ‘real job’! I spent around 2 and a half years as a Coordinator and then Sales Executive in the General Sales team which gave me a great understanding of the different team’s function within the Sales department.
For the last 3 and a half years I have been part of the Sport Sales team under the leadership of Tom Carroll and Josh Tanner. I get to work with a diverse portfolio of brands and agencies every day, helping them bring their marketing plans to life.
Q2. What does a typical day look like for you?
I think one of the great things about working in media is how there is no ‘typical’ day. Things are constantly moving and it’s rare that you’ll get two days that look the same. It certainly does challenge you; it requires strong organisational skills as well as the ability to work at pace, but it is definitely never boring!
Getting out and exercising as well as having a decent brekky before work is important because it sets me up to be able to deal with whatever the day throws at me!
Q3. Have you noticed any changes in viewing habits or the way people consume sports content?
Absolutely. There is no doubt that the way people consume their sport content has changed dramatically. While the ‘big event’ is still going to drive unparalleled reach and audiences, giving fans (and brands) different ways in is so important. Fans are no longer just watching sport, they are becoming so much more engaged and educated, and the role that media plays in this is paramount.
There is also a clear trend with people’s attention spans getting shorter and life getting busier. Having shorter form options is key to be able to cater to this and the evolution of standard highlight offerings to mini-matches have been a gamechanger.
Q4. What sport event are you most excited for in the coming year?
Working on Tokyo this year was an amazing experience. The numbers that the Games delivered across linear and BVOD was like nothing I had seen and the results for our partners were incredible. Getting the opportunity to work on a second Olympic Games, albeit a little bit colder, is something I am very excited about for 2022.
On a personal level, I’m a massive cricket fan and I can’t wait to be at the MCG on Boxing Day for the Ashes with 80,000+ cricket fans! After seeing the Dees break their Premiership drought I am also (senselessly) daring to dream that maybe the Saints can follow suit in 2022!
Q5. What’s the most creative ad campaign that you’ve seen this year and why?
I absolutely loved the Google ‘Helping you Help Them’ TVC that ran during the AFL. The AFL does a terrific job from an inclusion and diversity perspective and that creative encapsulated those themes perfectly. So sincere and genuine, an amazing 60 second piece!
Q6. Finally, what are you most looking forward to doing now that you’re out of lockdown?
I can’t wait to attend live sport which is something we have been starved of for so long. There aren’t many better things in life than the roar of MCG on Boxing Day or that feeling of Round 1 after being starved of AFL footy for all of summer. The nagging lockdowns have not been kind to my golf game either so I’m looking forward to getting a bit of continuity and driving down the handicap!
For September’s Face to Face, we chat with Olivia Russell, Programmatic Sales Manager in the Sydney office. After joining Seven just a month ago in the height of the lockdown, she’s already getting stuck in. Hear Olivia talk about what’s in store in her new position, predictions for future digital trends and what she’ll be doing when out of lockdown!
Q1. What made you want to join Seven?
BVOD is one of the fastest growing areas in digital and Seven is at the forefront. Seven has a phenomenal offering of interactive products, premium data partners such as Flybuys & Mastercard which can be activated across CTV, plus incredible content like the Olympics, The Voice and SAS Australia.
Q2. Tell us a bit about your role as Programmatic Sales Manager?
I’ll be working with the trading desks at a national level to ensure buyers are getting the best results for their clients and capitalising on Seven’s offering.
Q3. What are the similarities that you see between Audio & BVOD?
Both are incredibly fast paced and constantly changing environments. With the market demand growing exponentially YOY, both have had to adapt on the fly.
Q4. Do you have any predictions for future trends in the digital space?
Measurability is key and I believe we’re nearly there in regard to closing the loop between on and offline. Real world insights are paramount to measuring the success of advertising and with data partners such as Flybuys being able to report on the number of people who bought a product in store after seeing the ad on 7plus – we’re getting pretty close!
Q5. Who or what inspires you most?
Bethany Hamilton was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark when she was 13, resulting in losing one of her arms. Bethany courageously got back into the water just 1 month later and she now surfs better than any of us! It’s a great example to never give up on your dreams no matter what life throws at you.
Q6. Finally, what does a day off look like for you (when not in lockdown!)?
Surfing, sunbaking, eating sushi and drinking spicy margs.
In this week’s Face to Face, Sales Executive Chris Pearce tells us about his break into the world of Sports sales, challenges within the industry and his ideal fantasy dinner party guests.
Q1. How did you break into Sports advertising?
When I started at Seven it’s fair to say live Sport was certainly a product that greatly interested me. Being an AFL fan, I remember seeing my first client in the broadcast and thought it was amazing that even on a local level we could integrate our clients into something as powerful as the AFL. Subsequently, being able to become involved in other live, premium sporting broadcasts like cricket and now the Olympics is something pretty special.
Q2. What are you and your team in Perth working on right now?
Tokyo Olympics is at the forefront of all our dealings currently. This represents an exciting challenge on many fronts – the largest sporting event in the world and only once every 4 years.
A part from my day to day servicing of all my clients and agencies I am also responsible for all things Sport in the Perth market. This extends across all local assets. In the sporting category whilst most of our offerings lie in the broadcast / digital space, working closely with print allows me to not only learn about print assets but also provide additional revenue streams for sport in the business.
Sport is a huge driver in the premium space for the team. AFL, cricket and now Olympics provides us the opportunity to drive share and volume.
We have a strong story to tell in this market so from day to day it’s about making sure we are out in front of our agencies and clients talking about the power of our reach through TV, Digital and Print.
Together with our platforms and sporting opportunities, it puts us in a unique and advantageous position. We reach over 91% of West Australians which gives us the ability to truly engage with Western Australia. Currently the team is in numerous conversations in market over all our assets in all things Olympics and there are exciting times ahead.
Q3. Are there any challenges you’re seeing in the sports industry?
Sports rights in general is an interesting space. There are so many ways consumers can access sport these days. Having the sole rights to the Olympics including digital is an exciting opportunity and hopefully paves the way in the streaming space for us with other sport down the track.
Q4. What’s the most creative campaign that you’ve seen this year and why?
I really love the Bruce creative for Macca’s in the footy .., its clever, simple and funny and features the great man!
Q5. Who would be your ideal fantasy dinner party guests?
Might seem weird coming from a West Aussie AFL man but I love Matty Johns and his shows/podcasts… very funny man. Dave Chappelle for humour again and Steve Waugh to level things up a little.
Q6. How do you switch off from work?
Go in to a closed sound proof office and crank Metallica.. No, I love running, clears the head for me.. I try and get out as often as I can
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