The Future of Marketing: Highlights from TMC Panel Event

On Thursday 11 September, more than 90 marketers, founders, students, and industry leaders came together in Melbourne for The Future of Marketing panel event hosted by The Marketing Club AU/NZ.

The evening explored what’s next for our industry across content, brand, AI, recruitment, education, strategy, and research, with insights from some of the brightest minds in marketing.

We were proud to see Lucy Bolan, Director of New Chapter Talent, representing the recruitment and hiring perspective, joining an incredible line-up of speakers.

Panel 1: Fresh Thinking in Marketing

🎙️ Ebony Tewierik – Senior Marketing Manager, KeepCup
🎙️ Ebony Coatsworth – Social Media Executive, Melbourne Social Co
🎙️ Sarah No – Director of Brand & Marketing, BlueRock
🎙️ Indianna Symons – Executive Podcast Producer, Lost in Sound

Panel 2: The Future of Marketing Careers

🎙️ Lucy Bolan – Director, New Chapter Talent
🎙️ Catherine Toms – Founder, AI Growth Academy
🎙️ Daniel Rayne – Marketing Lecturer, RMIT University
🎙️ Casey Kudrenko – Strategic Client Partner, Ideally

Together, both panels shared powerful perspectives on where marketing is heading and how individuals and teams can stay ahead of the curve.

A Bubble Bath of Change

When asked to describe the current state of the industry, Lucy summed it up in one memorable line:

👉 “A bubble bath of change!”

That opening sentiment, along with those of the panellists, sparked a rich discussion about the pace of transformation and the opportunities it presents for marketers who are ready to adapt.

Hiring Trends Under the Spotlight

Lucy also highlighted the key shifts she’s seeing in marketing recruitment:

• AI & Upskilling – Employers want marketers who can embrace martech, improve efficiency, and use insights to drive personalisation.
• ROI Under Pressure – Marketers are under more scrutiny than ever to prove the commercial impact of their work.
• T-Shaped Marketers – Specialists with deep expertise and strong knowledge across the wider marketing mix (brand, SEO, content, performance, CRM) are highly sought after.
• Soft Skills Matter – Curiosity, bravery, and innovative thinking are becoming just as important as technical expertise.

Key Takeaways from the Evening

Across both panels, a number of consistent themes emerged—practical, actionable advice that every marketer can apply:

• AI is here to stay - embrace it
• Pair AI with a strong brand strategy to ensure consistency and authenticity
• Emotional intelligence matters - stay focused on the people you’re trying to connect with
• Networking is critical to the future of marketing
• Stay curious and keep learning
• Soft skills will set you apart in a competitive recruitment market
• Listen more - the best marketers pay attention before they act
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help or seek clarity by asking questions
• Strive to be a T-shaped marketer with both deep expertise and broad knowledge
• Adaptability is key - be ready to pivot with change
• Find a mentor to help you grow and navigate your career

Insights & Connection

From the rise of AI and automation to the enduring importance of creativity and human connection, both panels left attendees with practical strategies to help future-proof their careers.

And beyond the insights, the networking was just as valuable. With more than 90 attendees, the room buzzed with conversation, ideas, and new connections between marketers, students, founders, and hiring managers.

Thank You

A huge thank you to The Marketing Club AU/NZ for curating such a forward-thinking event, to Lost in Sound for partnering and supporting with their expertise in podcasting and content, and to BlueRock for generously hosting us in their Melbourne space.

Events like these show just how powerful it is when the marketing community comes together to share ideas, collaborate, and imagine the future.

At New Chapter Talent, we’re committed to helping marketers thrive through change, whether that’s taking the next step in their career or building future-ready teams. Lucy’s contribution to The Future of Marketing was part of that mission, and we’re excited to keep these conversations going.