Tell us about your journey into the role of Print Sales Director at Seven West Media?
I started my SWM journey in 2001 as a fresh-faced teen through an apprenticeship as a printing machinist. After successful completion and working as a tradesperson, I was selected to commission the multimillion-dollar press upgrades to WAN in 2006. Working as a foreman and then Press supervisor, I accepted the challenge of a new role in operations and customer service in 2015. This gave me an insight into working with clients which I quickly developed a passion for. This passion led me into Advertising Sales as Features Manager in 2018 and promoted into Print Sales Director in 2022. It’s been a varied and rewarding career thus far with each role setting me up for the next challenge, shaping my extensive and varied experience within the industry.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
There is never a typical day in this business, but my role at its core- is helping to strategize, grow and champion the Metro print revenue. Liaising with various department heads, driving and supporting the wider team and helping to problem solve whilst achieving continual client results through strong relationships and leadership. We have a very diverse and skilled team so every day brings a new opportunity to collaborate with the creative and talented people within the business.
What is one of the most rewarding projects you’ve worked on at Seven West Media?
There have been many in my career but the two that stand out are successfully implementing and commissioning a million dollar press upgrade and more recently the successful 190 year anniversary campaign for The West Australian, showcasing the very best our team has to offer in content, creative and product innovation.
Who or what inspires you the most?
Anyone who wants to put in the hard work to set themselves up for success. Elite operators often have unconventional journeys to the top of their fields, and I find inspiration in that. People willing to go the extra mile, put in work and remain selfless through adversity. Often people are fighting battles you aren’t aware of and continue to grind away to ensure they achieve their goals.
If you could give your younger self some advice, what would it be?
Don’t ever let an opportunity slip you by through procrastination. Take risks and never be afraid to take a leap of faith. Enjoy the ride and and buy some Tesla shares!!
What does leadership mean to you?
Leadership is so varied and nonlinear. To me leading by example whilst remaining respectful is what I admire. A great leader creates space for people to achieve through expression and development then inspires through action, humility, and harnessing strong relationships. If you can nail this philosophy whilst having fun, you are a leader. James Kerr sums this up perfectly in his book “Legacy” “Successful leaders balance pride with humility: absolute pride in performance; total humility before the magnitude of the task”.