In this series, AdNews shines a spotlight on emerging talent in the Australian media, marketing and advertising sector. This time it’s Clare Drenen, Director of Brand Partnerships, Paramount ANZ, Melbourne.

Time in current position/time at company:

I have been with Paramount for around three years, starting as a Sales Coordinator in the Perth market and now settling in my hometown of Melbourne. I have been in my current role within the partnership for a year now.

How long have you been in the industry?

I feel very fortunate that working at Paramount was my first job in media and it definitely caught on!

How did you get here? Was this always the plan?

I’ve always been fascinated by reality TV so I knew I wanted to work in the Australian TV industry – I just didn’t know what it would be like. One day I saw a part on Channel 10 and contacted my good friend Josh Hale who put in a good word for me with Perth aristocrat Paul Townsend.

Who is your right hand/the person who guides you on a daily basis?

It would definitely be Alex O’Shaughnessy. She has been an incredible leader for me since I started working with her, giving me the confidence to take on a more creative role, which I never thought was my strong point. She gives me the independence to work on ideas, and she still answers my 10,383 questions a day.

What is the best thing about the industry you work in?

It’s so much fun! I get to work on some of the funniest and most entertaining formats on TV, as well as working alongside some of the best creative minds in the business (in my opinion!).

And the biggest challenge?

New and innovative ideas are definitely expected, which makes the game interesting and fun, but it also requires a lot of mental activity.

What position would you like to focus on in the future?

I feel very fortunate to be in this position. Paramount has so many amazing, talented people, and I look forward to learning and growing from them and seeing where that takes me!

Where do you look for inspiration?

My Melbourne PBS team Alex, Nat and Sasch are my biggest inspirations. Our southern brain dumps at the desk are always where we find our best ideas.

Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?

My first job was at KFC, packing potatoes and gravy. I lasted five shifts and realized I wasn’t cut out for the fast food industry…

In five years I will be:

I hope to work my way up the ladder at Paramount and still watch reality dating shows in my spare time!

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