Meeting of the Minds brings together two different points of view from an industry rookie and an experienced expert.
The Mediaweek series aims to showcase their diverse perspectives, thoughts and opinions.
This month Lucy Formosa Morgan and Ashleigh Segalla from MAGNA share the best career advice they received, guilty pleasure content and career goals for 2023.
Lucy Formosa Morgan, managing director, MAGNA
Lucy Formosa Morgan
Best career advice – I’ve been given 2 pieces of advice early on in my career that have stuck with me…The first is ‘No-one will look out for you more, than you will yourself’.
So, stand up for yourself, stand up for what you believe in and push & sell the great work that you’re doing – don’t just sit there & wait for others to notice you and give you a promotion; tell them what you want.
The second piece of advice (thanks Dad!) is in a similar vein was ‘if you don’t ask, you don’t get’. Dad in his hey day, was a great salesperson, who loved nothing better than to haggle & drive a hard bargain – and yes, that’s probably why I’m in investment!
My favourite podcast/read – High Performance podcast, hosted by Damian Hughes and Jake Humphrey
Current streaming binge – I’ve just finished Kaleidoscope on Netflix.
Leadership hero – Janine Allis (founder of Boost Juice). Super successful female entrepreneur, who always comes across as a positive, dynamic and authentic leader. She’s a great speaker & someone I’ve admired for years. Oh, and she’s also a mother of four.
I wish someone had told me – to say no more often!
Guilty content pleasure – Gogglebox UK. You have to watch it!
Best training course/session – I’ve done so many courses over the years. One that stands out particularly was an internal course actually.
When I started out in media in the UK, to progress to being a Buyer you had to go through the agency’s graduate training course and at the culmination of the course everyone had to present their media recommendation to a number of the Executive Leadership Team.
It was nerve wracking at the time but taught me so much about preparation, rehearsing & knowing my shit to answer any question they threw at you!
Your mentor – I’ve had and still have a handful of (informal) stand-out mentors throughout my career – all from various parts of my career and at varying levels of seniority. Each one gives a different perspective and I’ll tap into each for different reasons and advice.
Hot medium or show – Insta – to switch my brain off after work!
Favourite media event – there are so many, it’s hard to choose! I think one of the best though would have to be the Cerebral Palsy Escape weekend in the Hunter Valley.
It’s such a brilliant example of all sides of the media industry coming together for the greater good, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars every year for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, all while having a great time on the way through. We always say we’re not saving lives in media, but this event helps do just that.
Wish I’d done that – backpacked around Australia to see the country when I arrived here 23 years ago!
Career goal for 2023 – drive the shift in how we buy media not only across Mediabrands but across the broader industry. For too long we’ve been focused on CPMs, which gives a very siloed narrow perspective. We need to adjust our thinking to look at media through a variety of lenses – high value audiences across all channels, attention and sustainable / responsible media options.
Ashleigh Segalla, media buyer, MAGNA
Ashleigh Segalla
Best career advice – Always be open to learning something new, you never know where this will take you! My background is in Retail Management and Dental but when my passion to learn and upskill came to a standstill, I was enticed to make the change to Media.
I now enjoy a work life balance: WFH so I can be there for my young children plus learning a completely new and a progressive skill set which was exactly what I was searching for. Being part of a team full of parents is also incredible!
My favourite podcast/read – Gabby Bernstein – I’m a big believer in Law of Attraction and inner work, which is what Gabby encourages/teaches.
Current streaming binge – Younger. This series is a light-hearted/easy watch for when I’ve made it to the end of my busy day. My two children are in bed, and I am ready for me time, which is usually followed closely with a bar of Lindt dark chocolate for the full relaxation experience.
A very funny series, that I find relatable in many ways. The main character has had many years out of the work force to raise her daughter, and once she decides it’s time to re-enter the work force at 40 years of age, she soon finds the challenges of ageism. After having my children I too found I re-entering the workforce very daunting.
Meeting new people along the way can be life changing, and I love that about this series as well as what I’ve experienced in my own returning-to-the-workforce-
Leadership hero – Michelle Obama should Lead the world! I believe she possesses everything that the world needs! Her attitude, beliefs, the way she carries herself, her personality, everything really, I cannot fault this incredible woman.
I wish someone had told me – Focus on building you first, Self-love is the biggest lesson for me.
Guilty content pleasure – The Voice. Wish I could sing this well! Seeing how enthusiastic my children become, whilst watching such talent is the best!
Best training course/session – Nearly 10 years ago, I studied Business Management. I was so fortunate to of been taught by incredible Teachers. They taught with such passion, every lesson was memorable because everything was taught with humour and that’s my kind of language!
I was particularly drawn to the Psychology module, I believe this knowledge is valuable for everyone, in every situation. Understanding how brain’s function is key.
Your mentor – Many people have been great mentors in my life so far. I am currently drawn to a mentor I think life would be hard without, I call him my Spirit Guide/life coach. He has the greatest nature in showing clarity and simplicity in life’s biggest challenges.
Hot medium or show – Instagram – can’t live without it haha
Favourite media event – I have been in Media for 6 months now and was lucky enough to attend our Mediabrands Summer Party. What a great way to connect with everyone and I look forward to attending more events this year, particularly charity events.
Wish I’d done that – Said YES to going on The Amazing Race.
Career goal for 2023 – Continue learning all that is Media.