The Media Store’s chief operating officer Jacquie Alley has been recognised at the global Indie Awards, earning rare back-to-back honours and standing as the only Australian winner this year.
She won a Gold medal in the “Indie Legend” category, which recognises individuals who are proud ambassadors for the independent agency sector.
The Indie Awards, which were announced in London overnight, are the only large-scale international awards designed exclusively for independent agencies worldwide.
The Indie Legend category, now in its third year, awards agency leaders who have demonstrated entrepreneurial excellence, sustained client and employee relationships, innovative agency campaigns and significant industry impact. Last year Alley received a Bronze medal in the category.
“I’m honoured to have won this global leadership award,” Alley said.
“I am a passionate advocate for the independent media agency sector – I want to see Australian indie agencies continue to flourish with award-winning cultures and innovative clients, who value honest and transparent ways of working, and appreciate the care factor and extra mile we put in to ensure their businesses continue to grow.
“To share a glimpse of that passion with the global indie community has been an absolute privilege.”
Alley has been an indie agency advocate in Australia’s media sector for almost 30 years. Since joining The Media Store in 1997 as a receptionist, she has held key roles across the business, which culminated in 2018 when she became the agency’s co-owner in 2020.
She has helped build the agency’s blue chip client base, while also ensuring a gender equal senior leadership team, introducing a paid parental leave and a profit-sharing program, and leading the agency to secure its carbon neutral status.
As the first female chair of the IMAA, she has championed initiatives like the Female Leaders of Tomorrow Programme. Alley also established the DE&I Council and developed a salary survey to benchmark gender parity, female leadership and age diversity.