This week’s Meeting of the Minds sees Jeff Malone and Alastair Langsford from Town Square 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.
Jeff Malone, Chief Strategy Officer, Town Square
Favourite podcast/read – For podcasts its ‘Hardcore History’ or ‘No Such Thing as a Fish’. I might have graduated from uni decades ago, but I don’t think I ever stopped being a student. The first is an intense dive into history from unexpected perspectives and the second is a humorous take on interesting facts from the researchers on QI.
Current streaming binge – I’m currently rewatching Dark. The first time I watched it, I loved it. This time I’m making sure I understood it.
Misconception about your role – That strategy isn’t creative. If it wasn’t, I’d imagine I’d be much better with spreadsheets by now.
Best career advice – The first strategy director I worked under told me ‘Don’t’ trust anyone else to look after your wellbeing for you’. Set boundaries and stick to them. Value yourself.
Leadership hero – Howard Luck Gossage. A brilliant contrarian from the Mad Men era, Gossage may not have been as well-known as Ogilvy or Bernbach, but his insights are as wise today as they were then.
How do you stay motivated – Perspective helps. I get to learn new stuff every day while being surrounded by creativity. Not everyone can be so lucky.
Best training course/session – Not a course or session, but I recommend watching anything from Rory Sutherland on behavioural economics. Understanding the subconscious drivers of decision making are critical in predicting behaviour, which is why we’re all here.
I wish someone had told me – Don’t mistake confidence for competence.
Something that’s surprised you about the industry – The normalisation of ageism in agencies.
What is your hot take on the industry – Short-termism is fatal to building meaningful brands. But with the average tenure of CEOs and CMOs in Australia sitting at about four years, it’s going to be up to agencies to champion the value of long-term thinking.
Favourite way to switch off from work – Headphones on with the music turned up to 11 usually does the trick. Right now, Wire and The Chisel are in heavy rotation. Both punk bands from London, the first from the late 70s and the second just sounds like it.
Career goal for 2025 – inspire more people to become strategists, or at least inspire more people to think more strategically.
Alastair Langsford, Senior Account Manager, Town Square
Favourite podcast/read – Not Another DnD Podcast. Dungeons and Dragons is underrated.
Current streaming binge – Survivor Australia (my toxic trait is that I think I could win)
Misconception about your role – When I was more junior, I always thought dealing with creative would be the crux of my role forever. It’s now more or less a product of the business management, strategy and financial planning.
Best career advice – Be firm but kind to everyone you work with.
Leadership hero – David Pocock: rugby champion, admirable politician, great bloke.
How do you stay motivated – Always trying to learn and utilise that learning in practice. My Dad was king of random facts, I aspire to take that role.
Best training course/session – I like them all, no favourites. All information will come in handy at some point in your life, so best to be prepared.
I wish someone had told me – That uni will be redundant as soon as you start working.
Something that’s surprised you about the industry – Poor mental health and high burn out rates. Be easy on yourself and protect yourself from bad habits.
What is your hot take on the industry – Everyone you meet is part of your network, so try and always leave a good impression (including the person that just cut you off on your way in to work…)
Favourite way to switch off from work – Cooking. Headphones in, chopping onions (definitely not crying), tasting as you go. Recipes are only a guide.
Career goal for 2025 – Be better than 2024!
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Past editions of Meeting of the Minds.
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Top image: Jeff Malone and Alastair Langsford