IMAA marks five years with a packed Indie-Pendence Day Conference
Held on February 19, the annual conference marked the fifth anniversary of the IMAA and was presented to a full house of 220 people at HOYTS in Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter.
An acknowledgement of country from SBS and NITV National Indigenous Affairs Editor, John Paul Janke, was followed by a keynote address from Seven Network television presenter and former competitive swimmer, Johanna Griggs. Griggs began with a thought provoking keynote about overcoming adversity through resilience and goal-setting, drawing on her own experiences in sport, and work in the media industry.
A panel featuring media leaders — News Corp Australia Executive Chairman Michael Miller, ARN Group CEO Ciaran Davis, Mamamia CEO Natalie Harvey, and Nine CEO Matthew Stanton — was moderated by Slingshot Media Ventures Managing Director Jane Waterhouse. The discussion called on media agencies to increase spending with Australian-owned media businesses and their premium content. The topic of hybrid work also delivered a united point of view among the leadership group with an acknowledgement that while hybrid work is here to stay, in-person collaboration remains essential for fostering creativity, innovation, and workplace culture.
Harvey said: “If you want to stagnate in your career, work from home all the time. If you want to be at the cutting edge, you need to show up.”
Miller said: “You can state what your policy is, but if employees decide to stay home because of the weather or a train strike, then you have an enforcement problem. We need leaders to step up and reinforce that there are moments when it matters to be in the office.”
Davis said: “The impact of COVID and remote work means younger generations aren’t getting the same office experience that many of us benefited from. Business is about people, connection, and understanding your peers. If you can’t have a conversation face-to-face, if you can’t build relationships, you’re at a disadvantage.”
IAB Australia CEO, Gai Le Roy, and Fitzpatrick Media and Advertising Consultancy Director, Shannon Fitzpatrick also presented their thoughts on how the indie sector can do better at demystifying the conversation around data and privacy, noting that working to build the knowledge base of consumers when it comes to data collection and privacy regulations, is crucial.
Le Roy said: “Targeting advertising isn’t a problem until suddenly a client’s data is breached in some way. When we talk to regulators and politicians, they jump straight to data breaches when it comes to privacy. The more we can do to limit breaches, to have privacy-enhancing technology in terms of data, the better it will be for all of us.”
Other keynote speakers included Thinkerbell Founder Adam Ferrier, and Unmade and Mumbrella Publisher Tim Burrowes, who was interviewed by Pearman Media General Manager, Katy Lozancic.
The channel panel was also a drawcard at the conference with Huong Nguyen, Alchemy One Managing Partner moderating a discussion between CEO ThinkNews Brands Vanessa Lyons, Nine Director of Sales Nikki Rooke, OMA CEO Elizabeth McIntyre, CRA CEO Lizzie Young and Boomtown Chair Brian Gallagher.
Following the event, Watsons EQ hosted an after party for attendees, sponsored by News Corp Australia.
