Our Sustainability Lead, Nicole, joined Medialab in January. With a background that blends scientific curiosity, strategic thinking and a genuine passion for purpose-driven work, Nicole is leading the charge to embed sustainability both within our business and across our client partnerships.
Whether she’s crafting our sustainability strategy, engaging our clients or championing our Footprints community, Nicole brings sharp insight, positive energy and a collaborative spirit to everything she does.
Join us as we step into a day in Nicole’s life.
Pre-Morning Routine
My mornings really differ depending on where I’m working from. If I’m at home, I’ll usually head to the gym before the day kicks off — getting the workout done early helps me feel more energised throughout the day (and, let’s be honest, I’m much less likely to bail in the evening!).
Office days start earlier: my alarm is set for 6:30am so I can be at my desk by 8:30am. I take a slightly longer walk to the station so I can stop by my favourite local café for a coffee — reusable cup in hand, of course!
Morning at Work
My role is twofold: I focus both on embedding sustainable practices within Medialab and supporting our clients and partners on their sustainability journeys. No two mornings are ever the same, which is what makes the role so exciting. I usually start with emails and check-ins to keep key projects moving — especially as a lot of my work is cross-functional and often requires coordination across different teams.
At the moment, I’m shaping our long-term sustainability strategy, so I keep a constant eye on emerging trends across the industry. It’s a particularly busy time — I’m prepping for an upcoming board presentation to showcase our progress since I joined in January and lay out the strategy I’ve developed, along with our priorities for the next six months. That means finessing slides, refining my messaging, and running it all past a few trusted colleagues to make sure the key themes are landing clearly.
Lunch routine
I’m trying to eat a little healthier now the warmer months are creeping in. When I’m working from home, I throw together a salad using produce from our Oddbox delivery — feels good to cut down on food waste and support sustainable farming.
If I’m in the office, I like to grab a falafel wrap and take a walk outside. It helps clear my head and gives me a bit of breathing space before jumping into the afternoon
Afternoon
Thursdays are always the most full-on —it’s a packed day of face-to-face meetings and impromptu catch-ups. I’m currently helping steer our internal sustainability community, Footprints, and there’s a real buzz as we plan our first-ever ‘Green Day’ on 29th of May. We’ve got loads of fun activities lined up and it’s brilliant seeing everyone get involved.
I’m organising a client roundtable for charity partners in July, so there’s a lot of content to prepare and RSVPs to chase. On top of that, I represent Medialab on a cross-agency committee through the IPA — we’re working on the latest version of the industry carbon calculator. We meet fortnightly and are just about to review feedback from the latest tender process. It’s amazing to be part of something that could shape sustainability standards across the sector — there’s huge opportunity to drive change for clients and media partners alike.
Evening at home
My commute home takes about an hour, but I don’t mind — it helps me hit my step count and wind down from the day. I usually spend weekday evenings at home. Luckily, my partner loves to cook, so I’m well fed! We catch up on each other’s days over dinner and then unwind with a boxset —Shrinking is our current favourite. If the weather’s good, we try to squeeze in a walk — we’re really lucky to have some gorgeous green space nearby.
If you weren’t at Medialab, what would you be doing?
I nearly went down the journalism route — I’ve always loved writing. I’ve been fortunate to find roles like this one that blend my interest in science and data with strategy and storytelling. If I wasn’t here, I’d probably be writing for a publication like edie, or in a fantasy world, The Guardian.
Advice for Someone Looking to Get Into the Industry?
I’m new to media myself, and I’ve found industry podcasts like Yeah, That’s Probably an Ad and Next in Media really helpful, plus keeping up with Campaign. Be open-minded, ask questions, and stay curious — especially in sustainability. There’s always something new to learn, even after 18 years in the sector, which is what keeps it so engaging.
