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Spotlight Friday's with Anna Samkova: LinkedIn Live
May 22, 2025
What Brands Want in Marketers Right Now
~ Spotlight Fridays with Lucy Bolan
In this last week’s Spotlight Fridays with Anna Samkova on LinkedIn Live, our Director, Lucy Bolan, marketing recruiter, talent connector, and career growth champion, was featured.
With over 20 years of experience in marketing recruitment and a front-row seat to what today’s CMOs are really looking for, Lucy brought serious insight to the table.
So—what do brands want in marketers right now?
According to Lucy, the market is shifting quickly, and the skills in highest demand reflect that. Here are the key takeaways:
✅ CX, Loyalty, and CRM are hot right now
Brands are prioritising customer experience more than ever. That means they're on the lookout for marketers with proven expertise in CX, loyalty programs, and CRM strategy—especially those who can blend data with creativity to drive growth and retention.
✅ AI is changing the game—marketers need to stand out
With the job market evolving at pace thanks to AI and automation, Lucy shared how marketers can differentiate themselves: lean into your unique experience, keep learning, and don't be afraid to showcase your POV online.
✅ Grow your network and your personal brand
Your next opportunity might come from your next connection. Lucy’s advice? Be intentional with your networking, show up where your peers are, and invest time in building your personal brand. Yes, that includes LinkedIn!
✅ The best marketers are evolving their mindset
Top performers are thinking differently. They’re staying curious, adaptable, and proactive—especially when it comes to learning new skills and seizing new opportunities.
Whether you’re hiring, job hunting, or simply future-proofing your marketing career, Lucy’s insights are packed with practical advice and powerful takeaways.
Catch the full Spotlight Fridays replay here and make sure to follow Anna Samkova and New Chapter Talent for more career-shaping conversations.
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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.
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
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