In a celebration of dedication and excellence, Paramount Australia offered three standout sales team members an unforgettable trip to Paramount’s headquarters in New York City. Led by Namita Sopal, Head of National Advertising Strategy, the team members – Pip Morrison, Joshua Hale, and Georgia Jennings – embarked on an exciting journey to the heart of the Big Apple. This initiative, part of an internal Paramount Australia recognition program, was designed to honour their contributions and forge stronger connections with their global colleagues.
We sat down with the jetsetters to reflect on their experience and share insights into how business operates in the Big Apple.
How The Paramount New York Office Trip Came To Life.
Namita Sopal, Head of National Advertising Strategy: The trip was part of the House of Paramount (HOP) initiative, which we created in 2022 to celebrate and recognise our sales team’s work, initiatives, and behaviours that reflect our values. While we often focus on numbers, this was an opportunity to highlight the broader aspects of our work across people, product, and process. It aimed to bring our sales team together, recognise their contributions, and connect them with our global counterparts.
The Path to Earning A Spot.
Namita: The HOP initiative was open to all members of our sales team, both front-line and support roles. Each month, markets submitted their HOP nominations, which were reviewed and judged by the senior leadership team based on Paramount’s core values: optimism and determination, inclusivity and collaboration, and agility and adaptability. The nominations came in rapidly, celebrating the ways our team embodied these values in their work.
New York Office Revealed Remarkable Surprises and Unforgettable Impressions.
Joshua Hale, Senior Account Manager – Ad Sales:
I was surprised by the office’s central location in Times Square. The iconic surroundings made it feel like a movie scene.
Pip Morrison, Account Manager – Digital Ad Sales:
The sheer size of the New York office was astounding, and the bustling atmosphere of Times Square added to the excitement of the experience.
Georgia Jennings, Account Manager – Ad Sales:
The office was exactly as I had imagined – immense and impressive!
Insights Gained From U.S. Colleagues.
Namita: The passion of our U.S. colleagues was truly inspiring. Spending time with key sales leaders provided us with an intimate understanding of the workings at Paramount HQ. Discussions often centred around growth, innovation, and technology. We explored how to balance brand and performance and leverage technology to meet evolving client needs. Despite the geographical distance, we found that our challenges are quite similar, and we are united in our approach.
Pip: We learned valuable insights about being culturally relevant and engaging with fandom to drive brand love and sales. The Creative Now conference emphasized the importance of being part of cultural moments.
Josh: The U.S. colleagues demonstrated how to embody the One Paramount advantage, showcasing collaborative approaches and opening my eyes to new possibilities in client interactions.
Georgia: Despite our distance, we face similar challenges. The passion of our U.S. counterparts was contagious, and their commitment to Paramount’s identity and values was inspiring.
Winning The New York Trip Redefined Professional Perspective.
Pip: Winning the trip was a huge surprise and a significant honour. It made me feel proud of my achievements and reinforced my gratitude for working with a supportive global team. The experience exposed me to the diverse roles within Paramount and inspired me to continue striving towards my goals.
Josh: It was a shock at first, but once the excitement settled, I felt incredibly grateful. The trip highlighted the strong support network at Paramount and inspired me to embrace my passion for the industry and continue working towards my career goals.
Georgia: Winning the trip was both surprising and exhilarating. It gave me a sense of being part of a larger global organisation and motivated me to work hard towards our collective goals.
New Experiences Ignite Creativity.
Pip: A highlight was engaging with our creative partners Innovid and Kerv on CTV and AI innovations. Seeing the Australian Survivor shoppable test case was exciting. On a personal note, seeing a Broadway show and exploring Brooklyn were unforgettable experiences.
Josh: Attending the Creative Now conference was a standout experience. Additionally, seeing LeBron James play live was a dream come true.
Georgia: The aura reading at the Creative Now Conference was a standout experience. It was both insightful and moving.
Namita: Beyond a solo run around Central Park, which was a refreshing change from parenthood, I found the city’s vibrancy and the exposure to diverse brand strategies, reignited my passion for driving inclusive storytelling on our platforms and with our partners.
Reflecting on the HOP Journey.
Pip: The HOP trip was an unforgettable experience, and I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity. A big thank you to everyone who made it possible and to Namita for accompanying us.
Josh: Thank you to everyone involved. The trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I hope others get similar opportunities in the future.
Georgia: The trip was a valuable experience that provided great insights. I’m grateful for the opportunity and appreciative of all who made it happen.
The Paramount Australia sales team experienced a remarkable journey that not only recognised their exceptional contributions but also strengthened their connection with global counterparts. Through insightful sessions on industry innovations and personal exploration of New York City, the trip provided invaluable experiences. Pip, Joshua, and Georgia returned with a renewed passion and a deeper understanding of the global Paramount family. Armed with new insights and enthusiasm, they are poised to drive continued success in their local markets, demonstrating that the Paramount spirit transcends borders.
