Michila Macleod
Head of Agency Sales at Mamamia
With over two decades of experience in the media industry, Michila Macleod has built a reputation for leading high-performing, revenue-generating teams that drive growth and commercial success.
Michila now leads the Agency Sales team at Mamamia, where she aligns her commercial expertise with the brand's purpose led mission. A formidable leader who leads with heart and thrives on the genuine relationships that are so critical to success in the media industry.
Having held leadership roles across major publishers, Michila has developed exceptional stakeholder management skills, allowing her to nurture relationships both internally and externally. Her career has been defined by innovation, strategic thinking, and an unwavering dedication to excellence—for herself, her clients, and the teams she leads.
Career & Background
What inspired you to do what you are doing now?
After years of high growth leadership experience at Broadsheet and a rewarding pivot into the NFP world as GM of Partnerships at FightMND, I knew my next move had to be ‘the one.’ I wanted a Melbourne based leadership role that felt as purposeful as it was commercially sharp.
As a Mamamia listener and subscriber for over a decade, stepping into the Head of Agency role felt like serendipity. Having worked with Marie Joyce back in our early magazine days, I already knew the culture was incredible.
Joining Mamamia felt like a true full circle moment where my commercial expertise aligned with a brand I’ve authentically loved and listened to for years.
Could you tell us a bit about your professional background and where you are headed in your career right now?
I survived the Devil Wears Prada era of magazines, which was exactly as chaotic as the movie suggests, before my international chapter at the BBC in the UK. Back in Australia, where I traded the gloss of magazines for the challenge of people leadership and learning new media, such as audio and digital.
My passion and focus now is on the mechanics of audience intimacy. I’m fascinated by brands like like Broadsheet and Mamamia that have turned a loyal following into a commercial stickiness.
For me, the sweet spot is figuring out how to bridge that audience trust with high-impact brand partnerships; that’s where the real future of media is being built.
Your favourite food for thought
Books
Admittedly, my reading list is currently more aspirational than finished!
- The Nightingale and The Women by Kristin Hannah
- One Golden Summer by Carly Fortune
Podcasts / Thought Leaders
- Mamamia Out Loud
- The Quicky
- You Beauty
- Call Her Daddy
What drives and inspires you
What are your core values?
- Authenticity
- Compassion
- Fun
- Humour
- Kindness
- Leadership
- Trust
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My early professional DNA was shaped by leaders like Andrea Salmon and Danika Johnston. Most recently its leaders such as Georgie Nichols and Nat Harvey.
All incredible women who have continued to redefine commercial leadership in an industry that, historically, didn’t always make room for them.
They taught me that relevance is never a given, it’s earned and that commercial grit and art of building genuine relationships is critical for longevity in this industry.
You as a Mentor
Why have you decided to become a mentor?
I think it’s important to give back and support the next generation. This is my 4th year being a mentor with Assisterhood and I can honestly say it’s been so rewarding year after year.
I was lucky enough to have a strong network of peers and leaders to look up to that helped me navigate those early and sometimes confronting career conversations. I know this is not always the case.
If I can provide a safe space for a mentee to be vulnerable, bounce ideas, pressure test up coming conversation’s that might seem daunting and enable them to feel more confident, more informed and better prepared regardless of the outcome, that’s enough for me!
Sometimes the outcome is out of our control, business factors, economic factors. Being prepared for both outcomes can be incredibly empowering and often help to create a more professional experience for everyone involved.
What are the top 3-5 skills or qualities you bring to mentoring?
- Asks powerful questions
- Well-connected in the industry
- Direct and honest
- Intuitive
- Nurturing
Ready to apply?
The best time is right now. Take a chance – you never know where an Assisterhood mentor can take you.