The Stable’s series of powerhouse women in adland-Aus for International Women’s Day continues. These women are not all CCOs or CEOs although some are leaders. The Stable, and the people who nominated them, want to applaud the grit, guts and gumption that exist in women at every level. We hope our powerhouse women will inspire everyone to see people, not their gender, in their colleagues, clients, friends and partners.
Until the pervasive stereotypes, gender pay gap, unequal parenting…the idea that women are less than…disappear. Until a person’s sex doesn’t affect their choices or their standing, let’s make sure that International Women’s Day continues to its job.
This edition features Olivia Warren, managing director, MBCS, nominated by Brooke Rowe, people and culture director, MBCS, who commented, “Liv lifts up everyone around her. She has strong vision and the drive and skill to deliver on it to perfection. It’s infectious and it makes those lucky enough to work with her feel like anything is possible. What I love about working with Liv is she sets the tone for an inclusive and collaborative environment for everyone to feel comfortable to contribute.”
Here is a snapshot of why Olivia is a powerhouse woman:
The Stable: Why the creative industry? What drew you to media and content?
Olivia Warren: I was drawn to the creative industry, for one main reason – its dynamism. It’s ever-evolving, constantly pushing boundaries, and embracing new technologies and ideas. This vitality fosters an environment of constant learning and growth, which I find incredibly exciting and challenging at the same time.
TS: What were your first impressions of the industry when you joined? How have they changed?
OW: The fast-paced nature of the industry really stood out to me, but what was most interesting was how addictive this pace has become. Personally, I feel that there is something truly thrilling about working under pressure, and seeing great ideas come to life. Pressure makes diamonds, and I love it.
TS: You founded your own experiential agency in 2014. A gutsy move. Why?… and what challenges did you conquer to make it work?
OW: The honest answer is I thought at 24 years old that I knew absolutely everything, and boy was I wrong. It was a very rude awakening when I learnt the hard way the importance of negotiating good payment terms. However, for anyone that knows me I am a hustler at heart – it was this mentality that enabled me to hunt down any whiff of an opportunity and convert it.
TS: What is it about your job at MBCS that gets you up in the morning?
OW: The team. I have the best people around me – talented, smart, and fun.
What skills and learning throughout your career do you rely on most as a leader?
OW: Hustle and make it work. Lead from the front. Be yourself.
TS: What are you most proud of so far? This can be anything but please also include a couple of pieces of work you’ve done, describing them and why you’re proud of them.
OW: The culture we have created at MBCS. When you merge three agencies into one, all with very different cultures, you can expect a certain level of churn and uneasiness. Thankfully, everyone has ‘got around’ what we are building. We are all aligned on helping brands to hit different and make a difference, and we have a great time doing so.
