This week’s Meeting of the Minds sees Biarta Parnham and Piper Daly from communications and content marketing agency Biased reveal their leadership heroes, current streaming binge, and career goals.
The Mediaweek series showcases diverse perspectives, thoughts, and opinions by bringing together two different points of view from an industry rookie and an experienced expert.
Biarta Parnham, managing director, Biased
Favourite podcast/read – I regularly tune into The Fin and BBC’s Your Dead to Me podcasts. I’ve recently finished reading Prima Facie by Suzie Miller and can’t stop thinking about it. We’re lucky to work with the team at QBD Books, which continues to fuel my obsession with reading.
Current streaming binge – We watch a lot of Grand Designs at home, and You Don’t Know Me on Netflix is definitely worth investing in (especially for the plot twist).
Guilty pleasure content – Does doom scrolling on TikTok count? I’m a sucker for trashy reality shows like Below Deck and Summer House.
What do you have on repeat – Lately I’ve been getting into Remi Wolf’s music. We also have a vinyl titled Le Bapteme by Matthieu Chedid (AKA ‘M’) spinning on the turntable lately.
Best career advice – “No one respects Minnie Mouse” – one of my first bosses was an absolute PR powerhouse, and she taught me this when I was cutting my teeth calling journos back in the day. It still makes me chuckle. All too often we’re taught (particularly as females) to soften our tone and end up putting on a squeaky, high-pitched voice as a result. Finding your voice and having the confidence to speak up is crucial to success.
Leadership hero – There are so many incredible leaders I look up to, but one of my long-term mentors is Lyn Tuit, principal of boutique agency Momentum2. She’s formidable and intelligent, but also has a soft spot for training the next generation, which I’m equally passionate about. Closer to home, I’m also inspired by my mum, who owned her own business for 42 years – she’s taught me a lot about the ebbs and flows of business ownership.
Best training course/session – Studying law part time on top of working full time keeps me occupied, so I always prefer shorter communications and marketing courses that hold my attention. For leadership, I purchased a Masterclass subscription this year which has a broad range of lessons from industry experts.
I wish someone had told me – Date all the deadshits. It makes finding the right one all the more sweeter (and gives you plenty of entertaining stories along the way).
Favourite place to network – Dinner parties – I prefer having more meaningful one on one conversations with people to uncover their personal story and share experiences, rather than ‘working a room’. Also being involved in charity fundraisers – I’m on the planning committee for Lifeline Macarthur & Western Sydney’s annual fundraiser and I’ve met a diverse group of talented individuals through the experience.
Something that’s surprised you about the industry – There’s an abundance of work – I love how much people share new business opportunities and embrace collaborations for greater impact.
What is your hot take on the industry – Improving process efficiency with AI to free our time up for creative strategic thinking and building relationships.
Career goal for 2024 – Enjoy the ride! Biased celebrated four years this year and I’m enjoying working on campaigns that feed my curiosity, alongside clients who are a delight to work with.
Piper Daly, account executive, Biased
Favourite podcast/read – The Cancelled Podcast with Tana Mongeau and Brooke Schofield.
Current streaming binge – Schitts Creek! My mum and I are watching it together and it’s become one of my new favourite shows.
Guilty pleasure content – Refer to question one – yikes!
What do you have on repeat – Anything Bakar, Mk.Gee’s Two Star & The Dream Police album, and always Fred Again. My music taste is quite broad so it really depends on the day.
Best career advice – Something that was not told to me, but I’ve learnt myself is to always listen to and learn from those senior to you but also don’t be afraid to put forward your own thoughts and ideas. I’ve come to find that a new perspective is usually appreciated and can often spark something great!
Leadership hero – As I am very early in my career I wouldn’t want to put such a title on someone – but MD of Biased, Biarta Parnham, has taken me under her wing for the past two years and I couldn’t be more grateful!
Best training course/session – I enjoy SMK’s Social Media trend labs as they give you an opportunity to look ahead to where you should start tapping into and where the industry is headed.
I wish someone had told me – That not everyone is on the same path with the same goals. You can’t compare yourself and your journey to people who are working towards different milestones and experiences in life.
Favourite place to network – At the moment, LinkedIn or any conferences I attend! I think it’s good to be thrown into networking conversations when it’s something I am still getting used to.
Something that’s surprised you about the industry – How much time and thought goes behind every aspect of marketing – which may seem like something that should be obvious, but coming into the industry at a young age, it’s just something I was never conscious of beforehand. It is inspiring to witness how much work goes into each decision and detail behind the scenes.
What is your hot take on the industry – Influencers should be very selective with the brands they partner with, and vice versa. It’s a sure way to lose your community’s trust and increasingly people have become better at detecting sell-outs.
Career goal for 2024 – Make more industry connections. I’m excited to build my next-gen contacts in the marketing and comms space.
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To take part in future editions of Meeting of the Minds, please email: [email protected]
Past editions of Meeting of the Minds.
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Top image: Biarta Parnham and Piper Daly