Awards are exciting but results can be measured,
something I’ve never forgotten which has served me well.
Funnily enough I do have a couple of career regrets which I should have embraced with ‘Gay Abandon’ instead of letting my nerves hold me back: – not accepting my first public relations assignment which was to interview my then heart throb, Bonanza’s Michael Landon; refusing to enter the Miss Beach Girl Competition when asked; and audition for the Channel 10 Weather Girl gig.
Two of my girlfriends grabbed the latter titles and sadly Michael rode off into the sunset. I confess I’ve been encouraged to do breakfast radio along with some podcasts but I’m still as camera and microphone shy as I was years ago. So the limelight wasn’t for me. I am however hilarious at parties, as long as I’m not being pushed into someone’s ‘selfie’. Well that’s enough about ‘funny me’, what about my serious side?
Well I went on to become a copywriter, lyricist and Creative Director at some great advertising agencies including NAS MacNamara, Ogilvy & Mather, Clemenger BBDO and SSB Advertising, as well as heading up the highly demanding Retail Division of Young & Rubicam and their results-driven Direct Marketing arm, Wunderman Cato Johnson – that’s where results became my focus. I partnered with Shannon’s Way, ran 2 agencies of my own, then put my political writing skills to work in the Senate before deciding to make the writecall! getting back to what I love – writing, concepting, producing and having a weekend!
My love for radio and music is rewarded as a mentor to creative teams in radio stations around the globe and as an awarded lyricist I seem to be striking the right chords from Sydney to Nashville.
I have worked for many national and international clients, earning the nickname ‘Retail Queen’ along the way. So you could call me ‘Gay Abandon’, ‘Retail Queen’, ‘Gaynor’ or maybe just call me ‘Gay’ – although I’m not.
I have vast experience in the property market and I’m very familiar with the multi-layered approval processes and protocol of working on government business. I am used to working under pressure, to strict budgets and tight timeframes. Skilled in all aspects of mainstream, below-the-line advertising and communication, direct marketing, social marketing, digital, retail and promotions, I am proud to be the recipient of many prestigious local, national and international awards for solutions that are both creative and accountable.
Whether it’s launching a brand or creating a website, digital and direct marketing, a promotion, radio or TV ad, jingle, copywriting or an entire advertising and marketing campaign, I’m proud to say that my work gets the results that come from a career built on big agency experience. I’m trustworthy, discreet and I work collaboratively to encourage harmonious relationships with both clients and suppliers.
I am a freelance conceputaliser and writer and acknowledge the input of others who have contributed to the visual applications seen here.
