As part of Medialab’s 20th birthday year, we wanted to write an article that reflects one of Medialab’s key values – We help people flourish. So, we turned to our greatest resource: our people. We asked 20 Medialabbers to share their top tips, insights, and pearls of wisdom on how to get into, and thrive in, the media industry.
From their productivity hacks to the lessons they wish they’d known on day one, staying motivated in the face of challenges, and the best advice they’ve received along the way – this blog highlights practical guidance based on real-world experience.
Iyanna Royall – Digital Executive (best skills for long-term success)
Accountability is key to long-term success in media, as it builds trust, reliability, and growth by ensuring ownership of work and transparency in mistakes.
Adam Bahloul – Media Executive (what tool/platform should everyone master)
Excel, being able to master the basics and learning as many formulas as possible will really help with your efficiency.
Cerys Hayes – Senior Marketing & Business Development Executive (advice on getting into the industry)
Free Courses – there are plenty of free online courses available that can set you apart in this competitive industry. Off the top of my head, platforms like HubSpot and TV industry body, Thinkbox, offer a range of courses tailored to media planning and buying, as well as broader courses on the industry.
Molly Giles – Account Manager (productivity hack)
Writing my to-do list out helps me so much with organising my time each day at work. It helps me visualise what I’ve got on and makes me feel productive when I see things getting ticked off, especially when I cross it off by hand!
Donna Evelyn – Senior Account Manager (how to thrive)
Get involved in things as much as possible, beyond your day to day (pitches, presentations, brainstorms etc) it helps to build your wider profile. Also, easier said then done, but don’t stress – it’s media, we’re not saving lives!
Maddy Buchanan – Account Director (handling client feedback)
When thinking about client feedback, the best thing is to tackle it head on and see it is as an opportunity to improve and strengthen ways of working. I always jump on a call, as feedback can be taken differently once written so more often than not it’s better to have a candid open conversation as that reinforces the partnership style relationship we have with our client partners.
Stephen Moore – Senior Account Director (motivation in the face of challenges)
Whenever I face a challenge, I think of it as a learning opportunity, I use that opportunity to motivate myself to work through the challenge to achieve a positive outcome.
Deepaah Anand – Business Director (how to thrive)
If you’re introverted, don’t see it as a flaw – rest assured, you will bring skills and develop expertise that is way bigger than being the loudest in the room!
Jane Power – Client Managing Director (how to thrive)
The saying ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’ lives and breathes in this industry – if you’re ever stuck with a conundrum, always ask for help as the spirit of collaboration and the diversity of minds means you’ll always find someone who can help you reframe, reimagine, or redefine a challenge as an opportunity, with a fresh way to approach it.
Elle Hill – Director of Digital Performance (motivation in the face of challenges)
I enjoy challenges and fixing them is what has motivated me in work. I’m a firm believer of the ‘5 layers of why’ method – when you find an issue keep asking “why” to find the root cause of the challenge. The first answer you get often isn’t the cause of the challenge, if you don’t keep asking then the challenge/issue won’t go away.
There’s a great story with the Jefferson Monument, where they realised the cause for a part of the monument crumbling wasn’t due to the increased amount of cleaning it was receiving, but because they had switched their lightbulbs. See here. What motivates me is making sure we fix the lightbulbs.
Tom Howes – Head of Search (how to thrive)
Bring solutions not problems. Anyone can point out problems; the real value comes from offering solutions. I’ve heard a lot of people think this is not useful advice – they’re wrong!
Mattie Mould – Partnerships Director (advice for industry newcomers)
Like any industry we have code names for everything (week one is usually spent frantically googling what a CTR, CPA, VTR or HPTO is), any newcomer would do well to just ask loads of questions rather than pretending to know what every acronym stands for. Asking questions is a sign of leaning in and being proactive to develop understanding and it’s a great habit to get into.
Ollie White – Senior AV Executive (advice for industry newcomers)
Be proactive and seek out opportunities to get involved in projects and training, both within your role and beyond. Ask as many questions as possible—the more you ask, the quicker you’ll learn, enabling you to engage with the work more effectively and develop a deeper understanding. Be receptive to those who have been in the industry for a long time; they have a wealth of knowledge and helpful advice.
Maya Birdi – AV Executive (best networking tip)
To always be a nice, helpful person. The best way to catch someone is in person, I always spark up a conversation in the kitchen, making a hot drink etc. This helps when going into meetings, it’ll feel less daunting and creates more of a calm environment.
Anja Cooper – Head of Product Operations (advice for industry for newcomers)
Take the initiative to research the media and advertising landscape. Proactively reach out to industry leaders and media founders on LinkedIn to express your interest and explore potential opportunities. Demonstrating curiosity and enthusiasm can open doors that traditional applications might not. Also, Rob Mayhew’s TikToks will give you a hilarious take on the industry and will give you a behind-the-scenes look at agency culture.
Shobi Sritharan – Principal Effectiveness Consultant (recommendations)
A book I would recommend is Brown Girl Like Me, Jaspreet Kaur – just puts perfectly into words what it’s like for a South Asian woman in the working world, having been brought up in a different way to what other cultures have. It also provides actionable insight into how to deal with cultural differences.
Catherine Falla – Head of HR (how to thrive)
How you approach your work each day is key. Ownership, accountability, and proactivity will set you apart. Skills can be taught, but those who are willing to learn and take responsibility, will go far.
Suweta Vijay Kumar – HR Coordinator (advice to industry newcomers)
It’s okay not to know everything. No one expects you to know everything right away—ask questions, embrace mistakes, and learn from both your experiences and those around you.
Alex Kirk – Managing Director (best productivity hack)
A simple habit that has always served me well is starting the day by tackling the one Most Important Task (MIT) on my to-do list. This is often something important but not necessarily urgent, and the task I’m most likely to procrastinate on. Having a sense of achievement first thing is motivating and sets the rest of the day up for success. As Mark Twain wisely put it: “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.”
Make this your daily habit, and you’ll get more done with less stress.
Steve Parker – Executive Director
Never be too big to do the small things that need to be done
