Young Guns: Marj Hetherton at Samsung Ads – AdNews

Supplied: Marj Hetherton

Our Young Gun profile takes a look at some of the young talent across the advertising, adtech, marketing and media sector in Australia. It aims to shed light on the varying roles, people and companies across the buzzing industry.

Marj Hetherton: Sales manager at Samsung Ads.

Time in current role/time at the company:
Just over one year, I was one of Samsung Ads’ first few employees.

How long have you been in the industry?
Seven years

How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
I love drama and I’m a people person, so advertising felt like a natural fit! No, only jokes, it wasn’t the plan, my brother worked in advertising and I studied media and comms, so I think it was inevitable.

Who is your right hand person/who guides you day to day?
At work it is Laura Wall, my official boss lady. She has been an amazing influence, and helps me navigate work and life priorities.

What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
It’s no surprise I’m a people person and the fact that our industry encourages to forge and foster hundreds of relationships. It’s very different from other industries I think. Every job I have had in the industry has pioneered change in some way. It’s exciting to think that the role I might have in 2030 isn’t even created yet.

And the biggest challenge?
Being at the forefront of change always brings challenges. But I’d rather see them as untapped opportunities and potential for the business to be category leaders..

Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
Your guess is as good as mine, but I can tell you one thing, it will be leading the charge in digital transformation and helping companies understand product and market fit.

Where do you turn for inspiration?
Being in the industry for seven years I have pockets of people I look to for inspiration in agency, brand and publisher side at all different levels and role types. Usually over a drink it’s good to chat and get new perspectives to constantly grow.

My favourite advert is:
Not sure if it is a nostalgic thing or McDonalds just nailed the brief in the 90s.

But I remember this TVC of a kid stuck in a traffic jam being rude to another car, and then the man whips out some fries and starts eating them. The kid stops laughing.

It is a really simple concept, with a quick pay off. It’s not over engineered. There are no words, just music. It is kind of reminiscent of the KFC ads today.

Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
That I can do a killer Cher impersonation, or at least I will for a chair. When Cher was in Sydney for Mardi Gras in 2019, Matt Blatt was running a promotion to win a CHAIR for CHER. My housemates and I at the time were moving places so all dressed up and won seven chairs. Lets just say I now have a nicely furnished dining room.

In five years’ time I’ll be:
I seem to have a bit of panache for media start ups, I’m keen to be in the space.

Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at [email protected]

Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.