Danielle Chapman
Managing Partner at Ogilvy Melbourne
Danielle’s career spans more than 2 decades across national and multi-national advertising agencies, including CHE, Publicis Mojo, GPY&R and Y&R Adelaide. She joined Ogilvy in May 2016 as Group Account Director to lead the BMW and MINI automotive accounts.
Her client experience covers Automotive, Tourism, Financial Services, Media, Telecommunications & IT as well as some of Australia’s most loved FMCG brands such as Peters ice- creams, Cadbury, OREO, Cussons, Garnier and Freedom Foods. Danielle was promoted to Managing Partner in 2019. She is creatively driven, but also commercially minded.
Career & Background
What inspired you to do what you are doing now?
I had no idea going into Uni that I wanted to be in Advertising. It was actually after a 2nd year lecture series on Marketing Communications by Sunita Gloster, who was at Y&R at the time, that inspired me to get into Advertising. I liked how it fired up my curious side.
What was your journey and where are you headed in your career right now?
I’ve spent 20 odd (too many years to count the number after that) years in Advertising Account Management. I’ve been fortunate to work across a number of categories, but FMCG is by far my favourite. In 2019 I was promoted to Managing Partner, still with client responsibilities, which Im thankful for, because it means I can still stay close to the Creative work, which is after all why I got into advertising.
Your favourite food for thought
Books
- Anything by Brene Brown
- Phosphorescence – Julia Baird – not just career but life!
- It’s not how good you are, it’s how good you want to be – Paul Arden
Podcasts / Thought Leaders
- The Imperfects Podcast – Hugh van Cuylenburg, Ryan Shelton, Josh van Cuylenburg
- When would we Die? – It’s my husband’s podcast, so of course it is my favourite 🙂
What drives and inspires you
What are your core values?
- Family
- Gratitude
- Trust
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
This was actually a really hard one to answer, because I’m fortunate to have so many people in my life that inspire me in different aspects eg family & friend role models, life goal role models, as well as professional mentors. I am most energised though by those younger than me, whether it be my children or younger members of my team, because I see them embracing all the opportunities presented to them, trying different things to see if they fit, practising self-care and being really confident in their chosen paths.
You as a Mentor
Why have you decided to become a mentor?
I have benefited with support from so many people who I value in the Advertising Industry, this is my opportunity to pay it forward. I also have a keen interest in supporting and helping grow new talent.
What are the top 5 skills or qualities you bring to mentoring?
- Empathic
- Great listener
- Non-judgemental
- Resilient
- Respectful
Ready to apply?
The best time is right now. Take a chance – you never know where an Assisterhood mentor can take you.