Marketing and Media specialist with a strong focus in kids marketing, parenting and entertainment.

Melissa was contracting at Ikon before resuming the Managing Direct position in 2019She has worked together collaboratively across the business focusing on Myer business and supporting all Melbourne clients whilst growing the business to include over 15million in billings in 2019. She has maintained strong client relationships and provided exceptional client service. Achievements on request, detailed in full CV

Totally Awesome is the world’s largest safe and compliant kids advertising platform reaching over 300M kids every month.Melissa joined Totally Awesome as a start-up to lead the ANZ operation. Being involved in a tech company and a start-up is where Melissa's passions lies drawing on her knowledge in the media and advertising industries. Melissa is not only involved in the day to day running of the ANZ operations she is managing a growing team (growth headcount to 5 in less than a year) and tripled digital billings in the 1st year through digital solutions being heavily focused in content creation, managing Influencers and campaigns, digital sales both direct and programmatic as well as launching a social media app focusing on attracting content partners and advertisers alike.

During Melissa’s 9.5 years tenure with the Dentsu Aegis Network she worked across 3 brands in 3 different positions. From an account director for what was then MPG to the Managing Director of HAVAS and then the Managing Director of a true full service agency Huckleberry Agency.Huckleberry Agency was formed by merging a digital creative business with a media agency to form a unified Full Service agency consisting of 65 specialists across strategy, technology, digital, creative, media and social.Melissa was responsible for creating and implementing the strategic vision of the agency, develop and grow the agency through leadership and establishing a coherent structure and operating model. She was not only involved in the day to day running of the agency but also involved in driving new business, financial management, client relationships, contract negotiations, leading PR and though leadership across the agency. Melissa’s role also included the management of global relationships, internal and external stakeholders.

Melissa was the Regional Business Director running the Intel business across APAC. Markets included Australia, New Zealand, China, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, India. The role involved running the regional hub, including accountability across financial reporting, global management, building relationships across APAC markets and worldwideShe was responsible for driving the strategic business across all markets reporting into UM Global office (New York) The role was exciting and challenging in many ways: learning the different markets, cultures, media offerings, research capabilities and then adapting the strategic direction to be more market specific.

Melissa started her career with MEC in Auckland where she worked as an account director on retail brands. She moved to Sydney in 2000 and joined the Sydney team for a few years before being promoted and transferred to run the Melbourne office in 2004.The promotion allowed her to take up the challenge of a managerial role in a new market and lead a business unit. Whilst aware of the difficulties and challenges the role would present she was excited about the opportunity to grow and further develop her skill set.The role was multi-faceted with accountability for all aspects of the business unit: from financial to management, hiring and training of staff, to developing and cementing relationships with clients and suppliers in a new market and procuring new business.She refined her management skills and was successful at developing and motivating a great team which had been integral to the way MEC Australia operates.