Everyday now... there is something new

So now, my days seem too short to fit everything in.

One of the things that I find most difficult is fitting in time to be inspired. It sounds ridiculous that one should seek out inspiration but to stretch my thinking this is what I need to do.

I read a multitude of blogs, I look at what our competitors are up to and more than anything else, I bounce ideas off those around me including my fiance Matt.

Matt is A-for-Awesome - the polar opposite of me but a waelth of creativity and fun. He inspires me by thinking in an unrestricted way. He helps me solve problems everyday and his thughts - whilst some days are way too far out for my clients, help me to create new work and solve problems in my client's briefs.

Everyday brings something new and that's what I love about my job.

Until finally... UM - the start of something new

In my first few weeks working with UM I won the opportunity to represent Australia as a Young Lion at the Cannes International Advertising Festival. It was the most incredible experience. Not only did I get to hear thoughts from some of the world's most creative thinkers but I also got to compete in an international competition.

My partner, Tristan Burrell & I won the competition! It was the start of big things for me. After returning to Australia I was asked to be a guest speaker at a number of events, was named in the top 40 under 40 list by Australia's leading trade publication and threw myself into working on a range of clients at UM.

I will admit that my first few months with UM were difficult. I had come from a less traditional agency where the view on responding to briefs was; 'the more creative the better'. At UM I needed to learn to balance investment opportunities with creative thinking. These difficulties were also what made me love working for UM. The people around me; Henry Tajer, Nathan Brown and Chris Okeefe worked with me to help me find the best balance. They gave me opportunities to shine including leading the pitch for $11 million account Panasonic which we subsequently won.

These same people have put the same faith in me to step up to a strategic leadership role and I have recently relocated to Melbourne as Director of Communicaions & Strategy for the Melbourne office. Given my relative inexperience (8 years) compared to others in the market, this demonstrates the belief that the company has in me and also my committment to succeed and drive execllence in everything that I do.

With this move came a transition off some of my existing clients. I was pleasantly suprised to recieve a number of emails thanking me for my contribution to their business. Nothing is more flattering than being recognised for your efforts by your clients.