What do you get when you bring together some of the sharpest marketing minds, inspiring stories, and a room full of good vibes? The 2025 New Chapter Talent Marketing Excellence & Rising Star Awards , of course — and what a night it was! Held at a completely sold-out venue, the awards evening last night was a celebration of talent, tenacity, and the transformative power of marketing. From the energy in the room to the meaningful conversations on stage and the generosity shown towards an incredible cause, it’s safe to say this one will be hard to top. The Winners This year’s submissions were nothing short of outstanding, and the judges had their work cut out for them. After hours of deliberation (and maybe a few strong coffees), two standout marketers emerged as this year’s winners: Marketing Excellence Award Winner: Georgia Pedersen , Head of Marketing at Melbourne Park Georgia’s leadership, strategic brilliance, and impact across the sports and entertainment industry made her the clear choice for this year’s top honour. From record-breaking campaign results to uplifting her team and broader industry peers — Georgia is the definition of marketing excellence. Runner-up: Matt Farnham , Marketing Manager at MOVE Bank Matt’s innovative, resourceful approach with a lean team is changing the game in financial services marketing. His campaigns deliver big results on modest budgets — and his leadership is leaving a lasting legacy.

The job market can be a rollercoaster—especially in marketing, where roles are shifting, budgets tightening, and the competition for good opportunities is fierce. At New Chapter Talent, we’ve been speaking with many marketers who are navigating job loss, career transitions, and financial strain all at once. And while most friends, family and colleagues mean well, some common comments—though well-intentioned—can actually miss the mark. If someone you know is between jobs in marketing, here’s what not to say—and what to say instead. 1. ❌ “Still no bites?” OR “Any more irons in the fire?” They’re already feeling the pressure, trust us. These kinds of questions, though casual, can unintentionally highlight the uncertainty they're facing. ✅ Try this instead: “Anything exciting in the works? Let me know if I can help.” 2. ❌ “At least you’ve got time to reset!” Sure, burnout is real. But when you’re out of work (and possibly watching your savings dwindle), this doesn’t feel like a ‘reset’. It feels stressful and unsettling. ✅ Try this instead: “How are you going? Job hunting can be exhausting. Here if you need a chat.” 3. ❌ “Have you thought about going freelance?” Freelancing works for some, but it’s not a universal solution—and not everyone wants to be self-employed or has the financial buffer to do so. ✅ Try this instead: “Are you leaning towards in-house, agency, or something else? Keen to hear what you’re looking for.” 4. ❌ “It’s all about who you know.” While there’s truth to the power of networking, this phrase can feel defeating to someone who’s already reaching out and coming up short. ✅ Try this instead: “Who would you love to connect with right now? Happy to make intros if I can.” 5. ❌ “Everything happens for a reason.” This one can sting, especially when rent or mortgage payments are looming and self-doubt is creeping in. ✅ Try this instead: “I feel your pain, and I’m sorry you’re in it. You’re bloody good at what you do, and something great will land.” Support Matters—Now More Than Ever If you're currently in a stable marketing role, this is your moment to show up for others. Share leads. Offer introductions. Back your peers. And sometimes, the best support is just listening without trying to fix. Marketing job seekers don’t need toxic positivity—they need empathy, encouragement, and real opportunities. Let’s be better allies for each other. Looking for more job hunting tips or marketing career advice? Follow us on LinkedIn or explore the New Chapter Talent blog for more support, stories, and insights tailored to Australian marketers. Contact Lucy Need help finding your next marketing role? We’re here to help. At New Chapter Talent, we understand the marketing landscape and can guide you towards the roles that best fit your skills and aspirations - get in touch with us today! Feel free to contact Lucy... ✉️ lucy@newchaptertalent.com.au 📞 +61 416 153 144 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 Or connect with me ~ Lucy on LinkedIn ~ as I'll share all the insights on recruitment you could ask for! For more updates, career tips, and job opportunities , follow New Chapter Talent on LinkedIn .

(2025 Edition)

How to Make the Right Call for Your Business Over the years recruiting senior marketers, I’ve had countless conversations with talented CMOs and Heads of Marketing who’ve landed what looked like dream roles—only to find themselves, just a few months in, bogged down in emails, briefing social posts, and fighting for buy-in. ❌ No real strategy. ❌ No room to innovate. ❌ No chance to make the impact their experience promised. It’s a frustrating mismatch—and often, a sign that the business wasn’t actually ready for senior marketing leadership in the first place. So, if you’re asking yourself “Do I need a CMO or a Marketing Manager?”, it’s worth stepping back and honestly assessing what your business needs right now. Before you hire, ask yourself: Does my business have a clear marketing strategy and structure already in place? A CMO can absolutely build this from scratch, but only if your leadership team is ready to support that process. Am I looking for someone to manage and execute, or to lead and innovate? If you're expecting hands-on delivery, a great Marketing Manager might be the better (and more cost-effective) choice. Are we ready for a leader who’ll challenge the status quo and drive change? A strong senior marketer will push for investment, process change, and long-term thinking. That’s their job—and they need executive-level backing to do it well. How mature is our current marketing team? A CMO without the right team beneath them often ends up doing the execution work themselves. Which isn’t what anyone wants. Is there alignment at the executive level about marketing’s role in growth? This is crucial . If the leadership team doesn’t understand or agree on marketing’s purpose, it’ll be near-impossible for any senior marketer to succeed. The Bottom Line Hiring a CMO isn’t just about finding someone senior—it’s about making sure your business is ready to unlock the value that comes with strategic marketing leadership. If you’re not quite there yet, that’s OK. A brilliant Marketing Manager who can execute, optimise, and grow with the business might be the perfect next step. But if you are ready for bold leadership, big thinking, and transformation—go ahead and hire that CMO. And give them the support they need to thrive. Because the right hire, at the right time, can be a game-changer. Contact Lucy Need help finding your next marketing or CMO role? We’re here to connect top talent with the right opportunities. At New Chapter Talent, we understand the marketing landscape and can guide you towards the roles that best fit your skills and aspirations - get in touch with us today! Feel free to contact Lucy... ✉️ lucy@newchaptertalent.com.au 📞 +61 416 153 144 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 Or connect with me ~ Lucy on LinkedIn ~ as I'll share all the insights on recruitment you could ask for! For more updates, career tips, and job opportunities , follow New Chapter Talent on LinkedIn .

On Wednesday 4 June 2025, Lucy and New Chapter Talent rolled up their sleeves and got sandwich-making with a purpose. Alongside more than 20 other small business recruitment agency owners from Recruitment United — Australia’s fastest growing community for recruitment agency owners — the team joined forces with Eat Up Australia to make a real difference. The morning event, hosted at Eat Up’s Melbourne base, saw the group prepare 954 cheese sandwiches in under an hour — all destined for schoolchildren across Victoria doing it tough. Who is Eat Up Australia? Eat Up Australia is a not-for-profit organisation founded by Lyndon Galea . Their mission is simple but powerful: to feed the one in five Aussie kids who go to school hungry. Since its inception, Eat Up has delivered millions of lunches to children in need, thanks to the support of volunteers, schools, and partners across the country. Their work ensures that kids can focus on learning, laughing, and being kids — rather than worrying about where their next meal will come from. As the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact Australian families, teachers are increasingly stepping in to share their own lunches with students. It’s a heartbreaking reality — and one that Eat Up works tirelessly to change. Bringing the Recruitment Community Together The initiative was organised by Pete Watson , founder of Recruitment United. Pete’s goal? To bring together a community of like-minded recruitment business owners who not only support one another professionally but also show up for causes that matter. And show up they did. Laughter, teamwork and a fair bit of cheese filled the air as the group assembled sandwich after sandwich, each one a small act of kindness for a child in need. While the group narrowly missed their ambitious 1,000 sandwich target (running out of bread with just 46 to go!), the impact of the morning was undeniable. New Chapter Talent was proud to take part in such an uplifting and hands-on initiative. It was a chance to connect with an incredible community of recruiters, support an extraordinary organisation, and give back in a meaningful way. From all of us at New Chapter Talent — a huge thanks to Pete Watson for bringing the recruitment community together, and to Lyndon and the Eat Up Australia team for the incredible work you do. We were honoured to be a part of it! Learn more about Eat Up Australia and how you can support at eatup.org.au .

We’re so excited to announce the launch of the inaugural New Chapter Talent Marketing Leader Awards (MLAs) – a celebration of standout marketers across Australia and New Zealand who are shaping the future of our industry and inspiring us all along the way. These awards are our way of recognising two very special groups of people: those who are just getting started and showing exceptional promise, and those who are already leading the charge with strategic brilliance, commercial impact, and unwavering support for their teams. We’ve got two award categories , some truly brilliant judges , and a prize pack that’s seriously worth shouting about . Let’s dive in. The Marketing Rising Star Award This category celebrates emerging marketers who are already making a big impact, despite being early in their careers. These rising stars are the ones to watch – full of ideas, drive, and a hunger to learn. Our judging criteria for this award include: Leadership and Innovation: Do they think differently, lead with purpose, and bring a fresh perspective? Collaboration and Integration: How do they work with others and motivate those around them? Passion and Goal-Driven: Are they constantly learning, pushing themselves, and chasing their goals? Impact and Results: What have they delivered so far – campaigns, projects, performance? Self-nominations are welcome – just include a testimonial from a senior colleague, manager, or mentor. 

What Brands Want in Marketers Right Now ~ Spotlight Fridays with Lucy Bolan

New Chapter Talent was proud to take the stage at Brandwatch’s Marketing Bootcamp Melbourne on 13 May – a full-day event dedicated to helping marketers cut through the noise, harness data-led insights, and sharpen their social media strategy. Held at Zinc at Fed Square, the event brought together marketers from across the industry for a high-energy day of learning, connection and conversation. From inspiring keynotes to practical panels, Brandwatch Bootcamp delivered a line-up of expert voices and valuable advice – all topped off with some fantastic networking and a well-earned happy hour. Among the highlights? A panel discussion titled “Future-proofing your marketing career: The skills you’ll need tomorrow” – co-hosted by our very own Lucy Bolan , Founder of New Chapter Talent, and Emma Graham , Founder of Emma Graham Consulting . For Lucy, this was a milestone moment: her first public speaking appearance. “Yes, the butterflies were in full swing,” she admits, “but I’m so proud I said a big fat YES to something that pushed me out of my comfort zone.” Alongside Emma, Lucy unpacked the core skills marketers need to stay ahead in a fast-changing digital world. Whether you're early in your career or a seasoned CMO, the insights shared offered something for everyone looking to future-proof their career. So, what were the key takeaways? Shift from passive to active. Don’t wait for opportunity – create it. Take charge of your career path and become your own advocate. Learn to work with AI. As economist Richard Baldwin famously said, “AI won’t take your job – it’s somebody using AI that will.” Understanding how to collaborate with AI tools is fast becoming a must-have skill. Build a personal brand. Whether it’s within your organisation or across the wider industry, visibility matters. Marketers who put themselves out there and showcase their value are better positioned for long-term growth. Nurture your network. It’s not just what you know – it’s who you know. Building and maintaining genuine professional connections can open unexpected doors. Know your value. Being able to clearly articulate your strengths and the impact you bring to an organisation is essential – especially in competitive job markets. The panel was a chance to walk the talk. “I talk a lot about the importance of saying yes, building a personal brand and being more visible,” Lucy said. “This was an opportunity to do all of that – and it was such a rewarding experience.” Special thanks to the Brandwatch team for hosting such a seamless and inspiring day, and to Martin Kelly and Benjamin McGinn for making it all happen. Other highlights from the day included: Michael Appleford (Tag WW) on Cutting Out the Noise and Delivering Killer Content A panel on Social Media in the NFP Sector featuring Olivia Gumienny , Jess Olorenshaw and Monica Marchesani Harrison Orchard (Cricket Australia) on the power and responsibility of Fandom in Marketing Beatrix Fisher (Havas) on Consumer-Led Marketing A forward-looking discussion on Retail Marketing in 2025 with experts from 7-Eleven and Bakers Delight Looking Ahead As the marketing landscape continues to evolve, one thing’s clear: future-proofing your marketing career is about staying curious, being courageous, and staying connected. Whether you're thinking about your next career move or just want to make sure you're keeping your skillset sharp, New Chapter Talent is here to help you navigate what’s next. Need support planning your next career step in marketing? Reach out to the team at New Chapter Talent – we’d love to chat. Contact Lucy Need help finding your next marketing role ? We’re here to connect top talent with the right opportunities. At New Chapter Talent, we understand the marketing landscape and can guide you towards the roles that best fit your skills and aspirations - get in touch with us today! Feel free to contact Lucy... ✉️ lucy@newchaptertalent.com.au 📞 +61 416 153 144 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 Or connect with me ~ Lucy on LinkedIn ~ as I'll share all the insights on recruitment you could ask for! For more updates, career tips, and job opportunities , follow New Chapter Talent on LinkedIn

Why Your Marketing Org Chart Might Be Outdated in 2025 When was the last time you reviewed your marketing org chart and asked: “Is this structure built for performance – or are we just clinging to legacy job titles?” It’s a critical question every Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) should be asking in 2025. At New Chapter Talent , we support businesses across Australia and New Zealand with senior marketing recruitment and team structure planning. And one of the trends we consistently see is this: marketing teams designed for a world that no longer exists. The marketing landscape has shifted dramatically. So why are so many teams still operating with structures that made sense five years ago? Questions Smart CMOs Are Asking to Future-Proof Their Teams Forward-thinking marketing leaders are starting to reframe the conversation with sharper, performance-focused questions: Are we structured around the customer journey, or just job descriptions? Do we have the right balance of strategic thinkers and hands-on executors? Are we duplicating skills, or leaving gaps in capability? Where do we need real marketing impact – not just extra headcount? These questions are crucial if you want your team to stay relevant, agile, and effective. From Hierarchies to High-Impact Teams: The Shift We’re Seeing In today’s fast-paced marketing environment, agility and digital fluency are more valuable than rigid job titles or layered hierarchies. The best CMOs and Hiring Managers are shifting their mindset – and their team structures. Here’s what we’re seeing: Team structures designed around outcomes, not just org charts Hiring for skills and impact, not just job titles or seniority Small, agile teams that can pivot quickly and deliver results This might mean rethinking traditional roles and creating hybrid positions – especially in areas like digital marketing , data analytics , or content strategy . What Happens If You Don’t Redesign Your Team? If you’re still working with the same structure you had in 2020, here’s the risk: Bloated teams Slower delivery Marketers who are busy – but not making real impact Your team might look impressive on paper, but if it’s not structured for outcomes, it won’t deliver the performance you need to stay competitive. Ready to Rethink Your Marketing Team Structure? At New Chapter Talent , we help companies map out future-ready marketing teams and hire the talent that drives real growth. From CMOs to performance marketers , we know how to build teams that make a difference. 📩 Want support with redesigning your org chart or filling key marketing roles? Contact us today to start building a team fit for the future.