Initiative’s Head of Perth Paige English: Staying Power – The Value of Long-Term Commitment

By Paige English, Head of Perth, Initiative.

The advertising industry is notorious for its revolving door. Young professionals hop between agencies and brands, chasing greener grass, the next promotion, the next adrenaline rush. But I’m here to tell you, as a 33-year-old Agency Leader, at arguably one of Australia’s leading media agencies, there is immense power in staying power.

The allure of the quick win will always exist. But I urge young professionals to consider the power of planting roots, of nurturing their growth within a company. Because in a world obsessed with fleeting trends, it’s the long-term relationships, the deep understanding of the craft, and the commitment to something bigger than ourselves, that truly leave a mark.

For me this year marks 10 years at Initiative. Like many I fell into the industry wide-eyed and hungry. Navigating the fast-paced world of ad campaigns, client pitches & networking soon became my adrenaline rush and before long I was hooked. Over time there have been moments when a different agency came knocking offering an elevated title, a salary hike or even a different industry entirely. But something kept me rooted: the desire to build something lasting, to see efforts become a reality and I have put down my roots and stayed in the industry.

The love of the industry certainly lured me to stay. But more so, my commitment to Media has allowed me to build deep relationships with clients, to understand their needs not just on a surface level, but at their core. It allowed me to mentor and champion young talent, watching them blossom into industry powerhouses. And it allowed me to rise through the ranks, not by chasing titles, but by earning my stripes through dedication to build better foundations and drive results.

Becoming Head of Perth at age 32 wasn’t just a personal milestone, it was a statement.

In a sea of familiar faces, I was something different, something new. I was living proof that long-term commitment, especially for women in this industry, can lead to extraordinary opportunities.

And that’s what I want for others. I want those entering the industry, especially those who don’t see themselves reflected in the industry’s upper echelons, to know that staying power has a magic of its own.

Staying power allows you to become a mentor, a sponsor, a role model with deep bench knowledge. It allows you to shape not only campaigns, but shape careers of the next generation of leaders, and in doing so, shape the future of advertising itself.

And that’s the kind of legacy I’m striving to build, one campaign, one mentee, one leadership decision at a time. That’s the true value of Staying Power.