About
us
Why this matters
We are an industry with a heavy skew toward young people faced with increased pressure and exposure, alongside the effects of a longer deliverables, shorter deadlines, fewer resources, smaller budgets, "evolve or die" culture.
Research we conducted revealed:
-
96% of industry under 30yrs don’t have access to mentors or a mentoring program independent of their organisation.
-
There is a real need for objective and honest advice on the difficult to discuss topics from those who had experienced it or can give a breadth of industry perspective.
-
The top four things young people are finding the most challenging being:
-
Negotiating pay rises and promotions,
-
Maintaining boundaries and saying no,
-
Mental stress and anxiety,
-
Managing workload and burnout.
What it is
The Trenches is as much about experience sharing as advice giving. Hearing about other people’s experiences and challenges can be a catalyst for change in yourself. Seeing how leaders have gone through similar situations removes the stigma of guilt, failure or inertia, empowering positive action.
​
In a nutshell:
One-on-one mentoring sessions with up to 5 leaders over a 6 month period.
​
Be it general career advice or progression, navigating politics or real personal struggles, nothing is off-limits.
A way to support and develop the next-gen culture of our industry.
Who it's for
Primarily, anyone under 30 in media, creative, marketing, consulting or technology industry.
Frankly, anyone over 30 and you feel you want this too by all means.
Anyone feeling they need support or objective advice, be it professional, intellectual or emotional.
​
*While we wish to support everyone it is based on capacity requirements, so jump in quick.
The
Mentors
Anshika Grover
Transformation, Insight and Innovation, Optus
Jane Merrick
GM Marketing & Distribution, World Nomads
Henry Innis
CSO / Founder, Mutiny
Chiquita King
Founder/MD, Cocoa Coffee Gunpowder
Tracy Hall
Marketing Director,
Go Daddy
James Boardman
​National Strategy Director, Bohemia
Martin Cutris
Head of Performance Agencies, Google
Laura Johnson
Chief Marketing Officer, PASS Technology Group
Katrina White
Small Medium Business Strategy,
Microsoft
Kelly Tagalan
Holiday Club Manager, Camp Australia
​
Justin Carew
Creative Director,
McCann
Nicole Bardsley
Head of Brand and Strategy, Westpac
TC Miles,
Director, CMO Advisory, PwC
Mick McKeown
QLD Sales Director,
CUB
Ali Tilling
Chief Strategy Officer, VMLY&R
Michaela Futcher
Head of Strategy,
The Royals
Cally Scivetti
Brand Solution Strategist, Google
Ben Shepherd
Chief Media Officer, CHE Proximity
Carly Du Toit
Marketing & Communications Manager, ACRF
Richard Woods
Group Account Director, BMF
Joel Pearson
Executive Strategy Director, RGA
Iggy Rodriguez
Creative Director,
McCann
Ian Edwards,
Managing Director, Wavemaker
Jane King
Group Director of Marketing, Val Morgan
Alex Conomos
Senior Marketing Manager, Audible
Paul Den
Partner & Co-Founder, Banter
Myriam Conrié
Director of Marketing, Sofitel
Paul Connell
GM & Marketing Director, Unilever
Sarah Murdoch
Global Marketing Director
Adam Ross
Content Lead,
Coca-Cola
Susie Bayes
Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy,
The Guardian
Renee Garner
Chief Operating Officer, RevTech Media
Melissa Webber
Founder & Managing Director, Holy Cow Creative
Adam Slattery
Head of Brand and Communications, Vodafone
Anthony Dever
Editor and Researcher, Fanbloodytastic
Mitch Parkins
Founder, Nanna's Little Secret
Genevieve Reynolds,
Manager, CMO Advisory, PwC
Yash Gandhi
Head of Marketing, Baiada
Hannah Sturrock
Managing Partner,
The Hallway
Kate Smither
Founder, The Tall Planner
Sarah Knox
Director, Res Publica
Kate Gamble,
General Manager, Resolution Media
Sarah Palmer
Head of Talent Management,
Leo Burnett
Cameron Brown
Senior Writer
McCann
Paul Everson, Marketing and Advertising Executive
Brooke Tierney
Founder, The Sister Consulting
Alex Light
Head of Brand Partnerships, VIRTUE
Anna College
Agency Director, Ikon
Jemma White
Marketing & Communications Manager, Montblanc
Lucio Riberio,
Lucio Riberio AI
Kammeron Cran
​Executive Coach, Director, Red Nose
​
Sean Hall
Founder & Chief Energist, Energx
Evonne Williams
Brand Strategy Lead
ME Bank
Amy Lee Hopkins
Head of Marketing
Anglicare Southern Queensland
Nicky Bryson
Founder,
The Trenches
Join us
Want to become a mentee?
After a big reception we are closed for Round One. If you are interested in being a please fill out the form and we will add you to our list for the future.
Contact
For any questions, enquiries, to be a mentor or a sponsor please contact us.
​
View our:
​
​
​
​
​
​
The Team
Nicky Bryson
Founder
The Trenches
Matt Gardener
Chairman Youngbloods Australia
Isabella Rigg
NSW Co-Chair Youngbloods
Linh Diep
Co-Chair Youngbloods
Australia
