Lucie Jansen has spent the past four years with Publicis Groupe agency Spark Foundry.
Her time with the advertising agency saw her step up from national head of investment in 2019 to her current role as chief investment officer in 2022.
Jansen spoke to Mediaweek about her valuable start in the industry in London, learning to overcome imposter syndrome and her advice to women who want to scale up in the industry.
Learning valuable industry lessons in London
Recalling her start in the industry, Jansen shared that after university, she moved to London and entered her first media job as a TV buyer.
“It was a brutal environment, lots of shouting,” she revealed. “I loved the buying and mathematical side of the role, but I quickly realised there was a more productive way to build relationships, negotiate and deliver value than shouting and squabbling.”
“Likewise, I learnt some valuable lessons about leadership and what motivates and drives people and what doesn’t,” she added.
Stepping up as head of investment and overcoming imposter syndrome
Jansen stepped into the role of head of investment at Spark Foundry, formerly Blue449 at the time, while she was on maternity leave with her first child.
“It was not only a new role for me but a new agency and holding group. I was delighted and excited to be coming in to lead and shape a department and to be part of the national leadership team,” she said.
However, she recalled experiencing imposter syndrome that made her question her capabilities and her right to be in the position.
“I learnt that I really needed to back myself and to shut down the dreaded imposter and listen to my supporters, which I am lucky enough to have in my life and the company,” she said.
Support from Publicis Groupe and Spark Foundry
Reflecting on her career with Publicis Groupe and Spark Foundry, Jansen shared that she was shown support when her daughter was ten months old at the start of her tenure with the company.
“A new role, a new agency and a new Groupe would have been a challenge anyway, but that was exacerbated by being a new, very tired mum.
“From day one, I had enormous support. I had a flexible working arrangement, with a day at home and earlier office hours to allow me to pick my daughter up from day-care on the Northern Beaches. This was in 2018 before anyone had even heard of Covid,” she said.
Jansen noted that she was pregnant with her second child in 2019 when Blue449 and Spark merged. When she returned to work in late 2020 in a different and more flexible working environment, she received tremendous support from all levels of the business.
“With two little people at day-care bringing home an ongoing stream of children’s illnesses, I was very grateful for the support of my leadership team and the many benefits that the Groupe offer to returning parents – such as ‘Cub Care Leave’ which is the paid time off that Publicis provides staff to care for their sick children,” she added.
Jansen’s words of wisdom
Jansen advised women in the industry looking to scale up should: “back yourself, silence your negative thoughts and work hard to achieve your goals.”
“Working hard does not feel like a hardship if you enjoy your job and are supported and inspired by the people around you.”
When it comes to starting a family, Jansen shared: “Not everyone wants to have children, but if you do, never consider motherhood a barrier to having a career. Having children teaches you real empathy, patience, and resilience.
“But I would say, choose an employer that offers a program to develop leadership skills and support your journey through motherhood.”
Rounding out her advice, Jansen noted to “identify the type of leader you want to be”. She said: “Keep that in the back of your mind in the way you behave and the decisions you make.”
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Top image: Lucie Jansen