Droga5 strategy chief Justin Graham named one of BOSS Magazine’s Young Executives of the Year

| | 4 Comments

droga.jpgJustin Graham, chief strategy officer of Droga5 Sydney, has been named one of BOSS Magazine’s Young Executives of the Year, the only ad industry executive honoured in the 10th Anniversary Awards.

Graham, who joined Droga5 three years ago, is just the second executive from the advertising industry to have won since the awards began in 2004.

The head strategy officer was named alongside five other winners who judges selected as the best examples of young leadership from a vast array of fields.

They said Graham and his five fellow winners represented the rise of the networked executive.

Mike Rebelo, the first ad industry winner of the prize in 2004 who now runs Saatchi & Saatchi and was a judge this year, said they were looking for leaders who delivered more than just meeting key metrics.

Says Rebelo: “I was looking for leaders who really know who they are and how this naturally evolves into an inspirational and effective leadership style.”

Graham said that finding the right mentors was one of the key factors in how he was able to cope with the gruelling judging process which included having to deal with a highly structured role-play scenario developing global briefs and reacting to breaking crises.

Says Graham: “Mentors have always been incredibly important to me. “For me it is important to choose someone who had similar ambition when they were in your shoes and now has the runs on the board, also someone who tells you like it is!”

Droga5 chief executive officer Sudeep Gohill said the award was an important acknowledgement of the influential role that marketing communications plays in business.

At the same time, he said that it was recognition of Graham’s talents and his crucial role at Droga5 working across some of Australia’s biggest brands.

Says Gohill: “Justin’s talent and leadership are on display at Droga5 every day and it is great see both him and the ad industry recognised in the Boss Young Executive of the Year Awards.”