As originally published via AdNews.
Industry Profile takes a look at some of the professionals working across the advertising, adtech, marketing and media sector in Australia. It aims to shed light on the varying roles and companies across the buzzing industry.
Bree Tassell: Sales director – SA, oOh!media
Time in current role/time at the company:
I’ve just celebrated my 5-year anniversary at oOh!, I’ve been in my current role as Sales Director for 4 months.
How would you describe what the company does?
As a media owner, oOh! helps media agencies and brands plan and buy Out of Home. Ultimately, we create solutions that make brands unmissable.
What do you do day-to-day?
We have a really close-knit team in Adelaide, and it’s a privilege to lead such a talented group of people. I love seeing our people grow, backing them to succeed and hopefully playing a small part in shaping the future of our industry. I am also in market, building client relationships and helping them to create successful OOH campaigns.
Define your job in one word:
Cheerleader.
I got into marketing/advertising/media/tech because:
My career path hasn’t been linear, I studied tourism and qualified as a travel agent. From there I applied for the role of membership manager at SAFM (Southern Cross Austereo) and from there I moved into a sales role! I’m a people person (plus both of my parents were highly successful in sales roles), so it’s a natural fit for me.
What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role?
Keeping my team motivated to deliver the best outcomes for clients and staying on course through an ever-changing industry. The pace is incredibly fast and change is a constant.
What’s the biggest industry-wide challenge you’d like to see tackled?
Making sure advertisers truly understand the value of OOH and have the confidence to invest in it. It’s such a powerful channel, and we’ve made it simpler and easier to buy, but we need to keep making it easier to understand, measure and prove the impact it can have.
Notable campaigns you have worked on:
Our client portfolio is diverse across many categories, so it’s difficult to choose a stand-out, but clients that tap into the dynamic capabilities of OOH such as timer countdowns are some of my favourites. And the bonus, they have greater cut through by standing out more.
Who has been a great mentor to you and why?
I’ve had several great mentors throughout my career, one thing that they all have in common is their genuine care for the people around them and the honest advice they have given.
Words of advice for someone wanting a job like yours?
Lead with empathy and support your team to be the best versions of themselves.
If I wasn’t doing this for a living, I’d be:
A travel agent, travelling all around the world on ‘famils’.
My mantra is:
Control the controllables.
My favourite advert is:
Yellow Pages ‘Not Happy Jan’ ads, the catchphrase was often cited in my household.
Music and TV streaming habits. What do you subscribe to?
Too many platforms! Spotify is a daily for me. High on rotation, Hilltop Hoods and for a flashback – INXS.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
In my spare time I love to bird watch! I’m a true twitcher
In five years time I’ll be:
On the same journey at OOH, seeing the next generation of sales professionals coming through and thriving.
