From contingency planning to a reminder that not all edges need sanding down, our Growth Director, Katie Bannon, shares her insights from a career in comms…
1. If you could go back and relive one day in your career, which would it be?
The day I got my first job in the industry.
While a lot of my friends were at university, I was working in a pub and honestly having a great time. One of the regulars told me they thought I’d be good at something called marketing and offered me a week of work experience. That one conversation changed everything.
By the end of that week, I’d been offered an interview. I remember walking out convinced I’d been far too much “myself” and had probably talked my way out of it. A few hours later, I got the call offering me the job.
I’d worked since I was young, so it wasn’t my first day in a workplace. But it was the first day that felt like the start of a career and a different future.
I still think about how much can come from one person spotting potential in you, especially when you haven’t come through the obvious route. It’s a big reason why I care about helping underrepresented talent get in, feel they belong, and know there isn’t only one path into this industry.
2. Now tell us about the day that still gives you nightmares...
I’m not sure what you mean. Every day is the dream in Adland 😉
But honestly, I’ve spent most of my career in experiential, social, client services and growth, where a lot of the work is tied to live moments and real-time culture. You learn quickly that even the best plans can unravel fast.
The Queen might die. A celebrity couple might split. A major news story might break and suddenly your campaign is the wrong tone overnight. Or, less dramatically, torrential rain might stop trucks getting products to site and wipe out months of planning.
That’s why contingency planning and staying calm under pressure matter so much. The nightmare isn’t one specific day. It’s knowing any day can become one.
3. Who gave you the piece of advice you still live by, and what was it?
An old boss once told me to stop obsessing over the things I was never going to be brilliant at, and focus instead on the strengths that came naturally to me. Recognise them, back them, and build around them rather than trying to become someone else.
It was a simple shift, but a big one. Professionally, it helped me lean into what I’m genuinely good at. Personally, it reminded me that not every rough edge needs sanding down. Sometimes the things that make you different are the things that make you valuable.
4. What piece of work done by someone else are you truly jealous of?
I’m going to give two answers.
The first is Nike and Colin Kaepernick – Dream Crazy. I still think about it often. Not just because of the scale, but because of the cultural significance and conviction behind it. It proved that when a brand has a real point of view, it can create work that matters far beyond advertising.
The second is The Guardian – Three Little Pigs. Brilliantly layered storytelling that trusted the audience to join the dots for themselves. Smart, sharp, and proof that the best communication doesn’t spoon-feed people.
5. What’s your elevator pitch to people thinking about getting into the advertising industry for the first time?
If you’re curious about people, culture, ideas, and why anyone buys anything, it’s a great place to start. You’ll learn fast, meet smart people, and get exposure to more industries than most careers offer in a lifetime. It can be chaotic, occasionally ridiculous, and not always glamorous, but it’s rarely boring.
It’s also an industry in constant evolution. Right now, with technology reshaping how we work, there’s a real need for fresh thinking and new voices coming through. The tools will keep changing, but human insight, cultural connection and original perspective still matter most.
If anything, the next generation isn’t just welcome here. It’s needed.