Anita Zanesco
Chief Marketing Officer, M+C Saatchi
A seasoned business and marketing leader, Anita has built a dynamic career spanning Sydney, Melbourne and London. After 16 years in business management, she pivoted to entrepreneurship, founding Jellybelly Fitness to support pre- and post-natal mums as a Personal Trainer. She later combined her passion for strategy and flexibility, consulting at TrinityP3 for 12 years as a marketing and pitch specialist.
Now, she leads growth for M+C Saatchi as the Chief Marketing Officer.
Career & Background
What inspired you to do what you are doing now?
I have an interesting mix of skills from both my time in business management and consulting and have an entrepreneurial streak that is absolutely mandatory when hunting new business. I also love the industry, it’s chaos and crazy mix of people. I also re-entered the industry to work for Dani Bassil and people and culture are everything to me…so if she hadn’t lured me back I may not be where I am right now.
Could you tell us a bit about your professional background and where you are headed in your career right now?
I spent 16 years in business management across Sydney, Melbourne and London. When I left to have my first child I retrained as a Personal Trainer and had my own PT business, Jellybelly Fitness, for 5 years focused on training pre and post natal mums.
Then when my second child came along, I started consulting at TrinityP3 for daytime flexibility and stayed for 12 years as a marketing and pitch consultant. In 2023 I not only retrained as an Organisational & Performance Coach, but I returned to ad land as Chief Growth Officer at Clemenger BBDO. Following Omnicom mergers, I landed at M+C Saatchi in a similar role.
Your favourite food for thought
Books
- This Little Life
- The Nightingale
- Lessons in Chemistry (as a slightly lighter read!)
Podcasts / Thought Leaders
- Limitless Equation
- Diary of a CEO
- Uncensored CMO
What drives and inspires you
What are your core values?
- Authenticity
- Belonging
- Compassion
- Courage
- Family
- Gratitude
- Health
- Humour
- Integrity
- Kindness
- Love
- Loyalty
- Making a difference
- Optimism
- Trust
- Wellbeing
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My mum and my daughter. Incredibly resilient, ambitious women who live heart first (sometimes too much heart in the case of my daughter!). I am in awe of both of them.
You as a Mentor
What are the top skills or qualities you bring to mentoring?
- Well-connected in the industry
- Empathic
- Intuitive
- Sees potential in others
- Optimistic
Ready to apply?
The best time is right now. Take a chance – you never know where an Assisterhood mentor can take you.