On Mastery

Peter Bray Uncategorized 1 Comment

Malcolm Gladwell famously wrote in his 2008 non-fiction book Outliers that the key to success in any field is to practice for 10,000 hours. This has been reinterpreted by many commentators that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill.

I am going to disagree. Vehemently.

Mastery is more than mechanical proficiency, it is more than being able to do the exact right thing at the right time. This “something more” isn’t magic, nor is it the acquisition of soul. It is something else.

I know a lot of really good marketers. I am happy to say I have met and had the pleasure of working with hundreds of them. But I have worked with very few masters of the craft.

So what is the difference? I think there are two main issues at play. Read More

Relax, it’s just a pitch

Greg Fiske Uncategorized 0 Comment

I love working on pitches, some of the best work I’ve ever seen has come out during a pitch, they’re fun, fast, and largely caffeine fuelled but also they can be one of the most stressful things you’ll ever had to do in your agency career so here are a few ways I relax during pitch work:

1. Do something else ‘before’ work: Go for a run, watch something, read a book, it doesn’t really matter as long as you’re not thinking about work.

This has actually been part of my morning ritual for years but I find it really helps clear my head and give me a fresh perspective on whatever I happen to be working on… Read More

Time to bring back the 10am Martini?

Chloe Harding Uncategorized 0 Comment

I have spent the last few evenings being transported back to Madmen’s 1960’s advertising world and it’s highlighted that there are a few things missing from my day to day work life…

An endless supply of cigarettes,

A whiskey with every email

And countless long lunches, to name but a few.

Or to put it another way time to get to know who my client really is.

Have we missed out on the ‘glory’ years? Read More

What’s in a name?

sputnikadmin Uncategorized 0 Comment

Over the part few weeks I have been working closely with Amanda Kramer (CumminsRoss) and The Communications Council to develop a business and marketing plan for a newly formed group to support what we sometimes affectionately call ‘suits’ in the Australian Advertising Community.

During this time, we stumbled on terminology used to describe what we do. Do we refer to ourselves as working in Client Service or Account Management?

To be honest, neither sat quite right with me so I decided to dig a little deeper and check out the meaning and origin of ‘service’ and ‘management’. Here’s a quick snapshot of what I found: Read More

[Job] We’re hiring a Senior Account Director #Sydney

sputnikadmin Uncategorized 0 Comment

We’re looking for a passionate, Senior Account Director who makes stuff happen rather than waiting around for someone else to initiate. An agile, strategic thinker to join our bunch of sparky, clever people.

Working closely with all areas of the agency, clients and delivery partners, the SAD is responsible for the commercial, strategic and operational management of accounts in their portfolio. You’ll be an expert in all facets of communications (web, mobile, social, advertising, etc).

Day to day you’ll develop insightful communications strategies, manage senior client relationships to drive organic growth along with managing a small team of account managers. You’ll love guiding both clients and the team through quality execution and getting amongst the work.

In return we offer a vibrant creative culture, competitive salary and some great perks. Read More

Sputnik GeekTeam at the CEO Sleepout

tish Uncategorized 0 Comment

Last Thursday night, a congregation of CEO’s all marched into Etihad Stadium to brave the annual St Vincent de Paul CEO Sleepout event. The CEO Sleepout is known as a fundraising event that brings together CEO’s from all around the nation to experience living homeless first hand. This year – the CEO Sleepout Victorian event brought together 150 CEO’s to ‘Rise to the Challenge’. All that they were allowed to bring was warm clothing and one sleeping bag.

Upon arrival, CEO’s were welcomed with a friendly smile and were handed their cardboard box bed for the night. Mind you, these were just flat sheets of cardboard where CEO’s had to make the most out of to shield them from the cold. Attendees roamed around the vicinity only to find the warmest spot, where tips were handed out to either stay away from setting up their beds next to toilet doors or exit doors to avoid Melbourne’s notorious midnight chills.

Alongside all of the cardboard beds and rugged up CEO’s, The Geek Team were present on the night to encourage CEO’s to share their experience on Facebook and Twitter. Read More