Career Profiles
  1. Management
  2. Strategy
  3. Buying
  4. Research
  5. Digital

There is such a vast range of career opportunities within the media communications sector and each agency often has a unique role to offer. NGen thought it might be helpful for members to have access to some of the core job descriptions and to profile some inspiring professionals in this field.

Gary Hardwick

MFA President

Return to top
Gary Hardwick

My first job in the industry
Media trainee at Young and Rubicam, London. Started in March 1984 as an all round trainee before working in the broadcast department as a time buyer. In my first two years, the British Govt were privatising anything that moved and we managed all the buying for the COI with an annual spend on TV of over 50 million pounds.

Most inspiring moment in my career so far
Winning the most recent B&T Agency of the Year Grand Prix for best overall communications agency in Australia.Three years ago, we created a vision to achieve it over a five year period so we got there quicker than we had hoped for.

Most challenging task
Being available for nearly 100 staff at the personal level I used to provide and balancing this with time for my partner, Tana, and my four beautiful kids.

What I enjoy most about my role
The dynamic pace of the communications and media industries and the opportunities they are presenting to set up new businesses and being entrepreneurial.

Five tips for success

  1. Be true to your word.
  2. Create a strong culture founded on values and principles.
  3. Put people first, profits second. (The profits will come, trust me).
  4. Strive to break new ground in everything you do.
  5. Have fun - if you don't like what you do, find something you do like.

Nick Durrant

Business Director, MindShare

Return to top
Nick Durrant

My first job in the industry
Was selling ad space to second hand car dealers in the UK. I worked on Autocar and What Car magazine.

Most inspiring moment in my career so far
No one single moment, rather when you have worked extremely hard on developing something and the client loves it and tells you so

Most challenging task
Dealing with difficult people

What I enjoy most about my role
Working with a great group of like minded people and that each day normally brings a new challenge

Five tips for success

  1. Always remember it is the client’s money and we make a recommendation.
  2. Don't take yourself too seriously.
  3. If you are willing to look and work hard nearly every difficult situation can be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.
  4. Treat people how you would like to be treated.
  5. Have fun - life is too short to not enjoy your work.
Coming Events

2 Day Planning and Buying Induction Workshop (Sydney)

15 Mar 2010 to 16 Mar 2010

Target audience: less then 6 months experience

Places available: TBC

Trainer: Linda Wong (MFA)

This is a 2 day introductory workshop for those who have only been in our industry for less than 6 months.

We will take you through the Advertising Media process, from the brief, to developing a strategy, to implementing and buying the media. The workshops goal is to provide you with an understanding of the big picture and where you fit within the overall Communication process. We will not be discussing “how and what you do – day to day” in your current role. However, you will have gain an understanding of what the other roles in your agency are actively being involved in.


This 2 day workshop will be delivered by Linda Wong, who has extensive experience including working at Advertising Media agencies, in all roles from Management to day to day. Currently, for the Media Federation of Australia, she is the Education and Training Consultant. Linda also lectures and tutors at the University of Western Sydney for their Advertising Media course, as well as Introduction to Advertising.
More