Waikato Management School students visit HERO Melbourne as part of global business tour

Final-year honours students from New Zealand’s Waikato Management School were treated to an insider’s look at one of Australia’s leading creative agencies last week, with a visit to HERO’s Melbourne HQ as part of their Global Business Study Tour.

The visit gave students a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creative advertising world and a candid look at the entrepreneurial journey that has shaped one of the region’s most respected agency leaders.

In a post on LinkedIn, Ben Lilley, Creative Chairman, HERO shared: “I wish I’d had the opportunity to do a trip like that in my final year of uni. It was great to welcome this smart bunch from Waikato Management School to HERO and to share some of our stories, challenges and wins with them.”

Associate Professor of International Management Joanna Scott-Kennel, who led the tour, described the visit as one of the week’s highlights: “What an absolute privilege to listen to such an influential and talented creative. Ben is at heart an entrepreneur, a leader in the marketing world and generous enough to share his secrets to success – as well as the personal challenges along the way – with our students. Inspiring, engaging and funny, Ben is truly a master of the advertising message.”

The students also explored award-winning creative work, including Metro Trains Melbourne’s ‘Dumb Ways to Die’ and Decjuba’s bold Puffer Plane stunt.

The visit was part of a broader Melbourne study tour designed to immerse students in international business practice. Over the week, students met with senior leaders from major organisations including Chemist Warehouse, Kraft Heinz, Sealed Air Corporation, Xero and ANZ, and engaged with trade experts from NZTE and Global Victoria.

The trip was made possible through the generous sponsorship of legendary New Zealand entrepreneur Tony Falkenstein, ONZM, Founder and CEO of Just Life Group and a member of the Waikato Management School Business Advisory Board.

Reflecting on the experience, Scott-Kennel said: “The future of global business looks incredibly exciting, and it’s so important for our students to build these kinds of meaningful industry connections before they graduate.”