Our Account Director, Maddy Buchanan, recently made a significant internal move within the company, having started in the Enabler team in 2020, Maddy officially moved to one of our client teams last May. With a personality as vibrant as her wardrobe and a well-thought-out transition plan, Maddy has perfectly settled into her role.
Whether she’s smashing her 10k steps before dawn or diving headfirst into Christmas planning for our biggest clients, she approaches every challenge with a contagious enthusiasm that lights up the office.
Join us as we step into a day in Maddy’s life
PRE-MORNING ROUTINE
My mornings are quite different depending on whether I’m working from home (WFH) or coming into the office. They always kick off with a 5 am wake-up call (early, I know) – I’m on a mission to get in my 10k steps before breakfast at the moment. If I’m at home, I treat myself to a leisurely breakfast — think fresh fruit or yoghurt because, let’s face it, health is wealth. But on office days, it’s all about braving the Central Line from East London —an adventure in itself! My commute is a solid 40 minutes, prime time to get stuck into a good book. I always try to hit my reading goal, armed with either a hot choc in winter or a strawberry lemonade in summer.
MORNING AT WORK
Tuesdays are my busiest days by far. The day kicks off with a team meeting or a one-on-one with one of my lovely team members — either way, it’s all about setting the tone for the day. We dive into key priorities, hash out any challenges, and then it’s all systems go. My mornings can be a bit of a mixed bag — there’s client status updates and then some deep-dives into projects that go beyond the everyday grind. Right now, I’m checking all our Christmas campaigns are running as they should, Christmas is an incredibly busy time, as you can imagine, but we plan for this period months in advance. We’ve been in the festive spirits since August!
LUNCH ROUTINE
When I’m WFH, I make it a point to prepare my lunch — bagels are my current obsession. I make sure to step away from my laptop, grab a break from the screen, and maybe even enjoy a sweet treat. A quick breath of fresh air does wonders for resetting my mind and gearing up for the afternoon.
AFTERNOON AT WORK
Afternoons are where I really get my head down. No two days are the same, but generally, the post-lunch hours are more client focused. Whether it’s responding to briefs or getting stuck into strategy calls, this is where the magic happens. Yesterday, for instance, was all about strategic planning for Alzheimer’s Society, and we were really getting into the nitty-gritty of what they need from us. It’s all very high stakes but in the best possible way. Our Christmas party is coming up and as part of the social committee we have a little catch up this afternoon to go through all the logistics – very excited for this one! We also have a chat about all the potential socials for 2025 and what we can do to celebrate Medialab’s 20th anniversary!
EVENING AT HOME
I’m a chillbody in the evenings—I love unwinding with some reality TV. I’m a sucker for reality TV, so if you catch me not watching Married at First Sight or Love is Blind, assume the worst. Dinner is usually something on the healthier side, and I try to relax by doing things I enjoy, whether it’s just lazing around or scrolling on TikTok.
IF YOU WEREN’T AT MEDIALAB, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?
When I was a kid, I dreamed of being a wedding planner. I’ve always loved the idea of organising things, it always felt like the epitome of having your life together. Later on, I thought I might go into fashion buying, which still influences my life today. I have a strict policy of never wearing the same pair of trainers twice in a week, and everything has to match—obviously!
WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE SOMEONE TRYING TO GET INTO THE INDUSTRY?
Do your research and know what you want to get out of the job before you apply. Media is so broad, with so many different branches—whether it’s creative, strategy, or something else—so understanding exactly what interests you most is key. Media can take you in a million weird and wonderful directions, so make sure you know which one you want to explore.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE LOOKING TO MAKE A SIMILAR INTERNAL MOVE BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCE?
You need to really understand what you’re getting into. Moving roles isn’t just about changing your day-to-day — it’s about how that move fits into the bigger picture. Ask yourself if this new role is genuinely the right fit for you and how it’ll impact the team’s long-term goals. Don’t just leap; look first.
CAN YOU SHARE MORE ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE INTERNAL TRANSFER PROCESS? WHAT WAS KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS?
I think I began to really crave a new challenge, and the Board were super supportive when I opened up about it. I had some really candid chats with the senior team, and their honest feedback was crucial. Clear communication and knowing exactly what the new challenge entailed were key to making the move a success. Ticking all the right boxes before making the leap made all the difference and it was hands down the best decision!
