Connect with us
https://yoursportsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/call-to-1.png

Sports

Fast 10

Published

4 months ago

on

Fast 10

In this week’s instalment of the Fast 10, B&T chatted with Simon Lawson, managing director at PHD Melbourne, where he has been for over 10 years. Recently, his team won the accounts for Bunnings and Spirit of Tasmania, setting sail as the company prepares for the arrival of two new ships next year.

Lawson has led PHD’s Melbourne office since 2017 as general manager and, more recently as managing director. Under his management, PHD Australia’s Melbourne office has more than doubled in size, bringing on new clients including Spotlight, Anaconda, Harris Scarfe, Swisse, Asahi, CUB, Hesta, Tennis Australia, AFL, Vocus, Let’s Melbourne Again, Million Dollar Vax and Singapore Airlines. He is also a member of the organising committee for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.

He has worked with advertisers such as ANZ Bank, CUB, Porsche, Honda, Emirates, Samsung, Simplot & Mars.

1) You’ve had a brilliant career, from Press Office assistant in London to the MD PHD Melbourne. If you had to pick only one, what would be your career highlight so far?

Simon Lawson: Hard to pick one, but the first years of PHD Melbourne were very special. There weren’t many of us and in many respects, we were left to just get on with it! It was a different time: We were all so proud to be starting something new in Melbourne. We felt like we were on a mission to prove ourselves, at least I did!

2) The agency has been smashing it on the new biz front, capped off with your recent win of the coveted Bunnings account. Can you share any factors for your success?



SL: We’re all very excited about our recent new business success!

Every process is different. I’m a big believer in developing tailored propositions based on individual clients and competitive circumstances. I’m also a big believer in asking questions, sharing provocations, leaving room for discussion: No one wants to listen to people talk about themselves for an hour and a half!

3) PHD has also been recognised by the AFR as one of the most innovative places to work. How do you continue to thrive and focus on the agency’s culture?



SL: It’s probably never been harder to have a strong and coherent agency culture than it has been over the past couple of years.

There is power in having a clear vision and a clear sense of purpose. It’s also important to celebrate your successes and to repeat cultural rituals that are built up over time.

Most of all, I believe that a strong culture comes from individuals feeling that what they do is important. Recognition is critical, from agency leaders as well as from the client’s individuals who work day in and day out.

4) As a young boy, what did you want to be when you grew up?

SL: I wanted to be a World Cup ski racer as a teenager!

5) You attend and share learnings from leading industry events, including the Cairns Crocodiles. How do they inform and inspire your perspective?

SL: I’m fortunate to be invited and attend a lot of industry events. With the wisdom that comes with age, I now think of these events more as valuable opportunities to learn and make new connections, more than I think of them as parties.

I share my key takeaways from them on LinkedIn because I really enjoy writing, and it helps me to synthesise what I’ve learned. I also think there might be some value in sharing what’s been discussed with others unable to attend.

6) As an industry, what’s one thing you would change to make us all better?

SL: Media agencies need to better balance being seen by marketers as suppliers that are good at managing large volumes of media investment with the more upstream role of being genuine strategic advisors to our clients, helping them to unlock incremental growth for their businesses.

On a personal note, I would like to see marketers and media agencies better connect their media spend with ESG outcomes. It should be important to all of us that the marketing, advertising and media industries have a positive impact on society. I’m particularly interested in the ongoing health of the Australian media industry, especially media companies that employ journalists, produce Australian content and tell Australian stories.

7) What are your clients’ CMO challenges, and how are they driving growth?

SL: It’s challenging for CMOs to have clarity of purpose – there is so much noise in our business, so many contested ideas, so much complexity, so many mouths to feed.

What I’ve observed is that the CMOs who are successful in driving growth are the ones with a clear vision, a shared philosophy of growth, and the ability to get everyone aligned and working towards that vision.

From a media agency perspective, I’d like to see clients placing less emphasis on driving cost efficiencies vs getting set for success with the smartest people onboard and a focus on topline growth and effectiveness.

8) You mentor and give back to the industry, who have been your mentors, and what’s the best career advice you have been given?

SL: That’s a hard question. I’m not sure I’ve ever really had a mentor.

I have been lucky to have worked under some of the industry’s most respected leaders across my career at Mitchells, Starcom and PHD. You learn a lot just by listening to how they deal with different situations.

I’m also grateful to have worked alongside many quality individuals over my career, including people like Tim Murphy, Dan Clark, Ben Crawford, Daniel Isaac and Kathryn Weatherlake: Hopefully, we’ve learned a lot from each other.

Best advice is a tough one. My dad used to tell me, “Simon, if you don’t ask, you don’t get”. That’s good advice for media negotiations.

9) You have an insightful LinkedIn feed. What’s one thing that’s not on your LinkedIn profile?

SL: I’m an obsessive holiday planner and have been known to book holidays more than a year in advance to get the right Airbnb!

10) Important last question, do your parents know what you do?

SL: My daughter thought I worked for ANZ for a very long time! She’d hear me arrive home, still on a call, walking and talking around our front porch. She’d walk out with a small block of wood, hold it up to her ear as a phone, and have her own meeting with ANZ!

I think my mum thinks I go out to lunch for a living 😊

14
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Blazers Complete 2025 Season Opener

Published

15 minutes ago

on

December 6, 2025

By


BIRMINGHAM – UAB Track and Field opened the 2025 season on Friday as the Blazers competed in the Birmingham Indoor Icebreaker at the Birmingham Crossplex.

Victory George competed in multiple events as the newcomer participated in the 60m and the Long Jump. George placed 12th out of 69 athletes in the 60m Prelims with a time of 7.71 seconds. George narrowly missed the finals by .01 seconds as she placed second in heat 4. The newcomer from Nigeria placed 11th of 55 athletes in the Long Jump where she finished with a mark of 5.52m and placed third in flight 3.

Leticia Quingostas started her senior season strong in the 300m. The senior from Brazil placed ninth overall out of 28 athletes and won heat 4 with a time of 40.51 seconds.

The freshmen middle distance duo consisting of Kelly Hughes and Katelyn Valtos made their college debuts in the 1000m. Hughes (3:05.08) and Valtos (3:06.08) finished sixth and seventh overall respectively. Valtos’ time was tops in heat 2.

The Blazers saw four Pole Vault athletes compete on Friday. Noelle Hambrick was the leader of the quartet placing fifth with a mark of 3.70m. Victoria Freeland, Fiona Eastman, and Trinity Fellows each finished at 3.55m.

The Green and Gold rounded out the day with true freshman Sarah Hopkins competing in the Weight Throw. Hopkins finished her day with a mark of 14.58m on her final successful throw, which ranks third-best in school history for Indoor Weight Throw.

UAB returns to action on January 9, 2026 as it returns to the Birmingham Crossplex for the Blazer Invite. Meet information, schedules, and live results will be posted at a later date.

FOLLOW THE BLAZERS

To keep up with UAB Track & Field, follow @UAB_TF_XC on Instagram and X.



Link

1
Continue Reading

Sports

Aggies Fend Off Vols in Five-Set Epic to Advance in NCAA Tournament

Published

32 minutes ago

on

December 6, 2025

By


TEMPE, Arizona – At first, it seemed like Utah State volleyball would waltz into the second round of the NCAA Tournament. 

Then, it seemed like the USU’s dream season might end in heartbreaking fashion.

But in a do-or-die fifth set, the Aggies fought off a furious comeback from seventh-seeded Tennessee to claim a thrilling 3-2 (25-19, 25-15, 20-25, 18-25, 15-11) victory in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. This is the first NCAA Tournament victory for Utah State volleyball since recording wins in back-to-back seasons in 2000 and 2001.

With the win, Utah State will now face No. 2 Arizona State on Friday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. (MT). 

Sophomore setter Kaylie Kofe engineered the Aggie offense to a .312 hitting percentage, recording 57 assists. Senior middle blocker Tierney Barlow led USU with 16 kills on a team-best .560 hitting percentage while sophomore opposite side hitter Loryn Helgesen added 14 kills. The duo also tied for the team lead with four blocks apiece with each player also registering a solo block. Sophomore outside hitter Andrea Simovski also had 14 kills and sophomore outside hitter Mara Štiglic stuffed the stat sheet with 12 kills, six digs, three blocks and three assists. Junior libero/defensive specialist Kendel Thompson led the Aggie defense with 16 digs, also leading the team with two service aces.

Head coach Rob Neilson

“What a match. Hats off to that Tennessee team. We gave them all they could handle in those first two sets and then they responded. They’re a great team obviously, well coached and talented, physical. Then you get to a fifth set and it’s a coin flip. I thought we made enough plays and battled and came through adversity. I’m really proud of this group and I’m excited that we get to play some more volleyball together.”

Set One

The Aggies came roaring out of the gates, registering kills on nine of their first 13 attacks en route to taking a 10-5 lead to force a Tennessee timeout. Štiglic posted three kills during the early run, part of a 7-0-10 line for the Croatian in the opening set. Out of the timeout, the Vols responded with a 9-2 stretch to take a lead midway through the frame and force an Aggie timeout. USU stemmed the tide with a kill from redshirt freshman middle blocker Lauren Larkin that preceded a block by Barlow and Helgesen. A Helgesen kill and Thompson ace then made it a 4-0 Aggie run to deliver the advantage back to Utah State. The Vols scored back-to-back points to tie it at 16 before the teams alternated the ensuing six rallies. With the set tied at 19, the Aggies closed the frame on a 6-0 burst. Helgesen ignited the run with a kill before teaming with Larkin on a block to firmly give the Aggies control late in the set. Štiglic then delivered back-to-back kills to clinch the 25-19 win to open the match. Utah State hit .382 in the opening frame while holding Tennessee to .188 to take a 1-0 lead.

Set Two

Utah State again came out strong, using a 14-3 onslaught to grab hold of the second set. Simovski powered the on-fire start with five kills while Thompson added her second ace of the match to help build a double-digit cushion. The Aggies went a perfect 8-of-8 on attacks to begin the frame. Tennessee closed the gap with a 6-1 stretch, forcing a USU timeout. A Helgesen kill halted the Vols’ momentum before Utah State went on to close the set on a 5-1 run featuring a pair of kills from Barlow and a Helgesen ace plus a block by Štiglic and Barlow to help seal the 25-15 win. The Aggies improved on both their offensive and defensive marks from the first set, hitting .444 while holding Tennessee to .171 to go up 2-0 for the match.

Set Three

The Aggies again went up early as Barlow recorded three-straight kills and then a solo block as part of a personal 4-0 run to put USU ahead 7-4. The Vols, however, answered back with an 11-4 stretch to take a late four-point lead in the set. The Aggies battled back within two at 21-19 with Simovski supplying a pair of kills but Tennessee went on a 4-1 run to take the set, 25-20, to extend the match to a fourth set.

Set Four

The Vols maintained momentum to begin the fourth set, opening up a 10-5 lead out of the gates. USU scored three-straight points with Larkin and Helgesen both registering kills to trim the deficit to two points. Tennessee answered again, scoring seven of the next 10 rallies to extend their lead to six points. The Aggies were unable to build a comeback attempt as the Vols secured a 25-18 win to send the match to a winner-takes-all fifth set.

Fifth Set

In a pivotal start to the set, Utah State went up 5-2 courtesy of a pair of Simovski kills and three attacking errors from the Vols. The Aggies led by four points at 12-8 following two kills from Helgesen before Tennessee clawed back within one after three-straight points. USU regained the advantage from the defensive side as Barlow and Helgesen combined for a block to make it 13-11. Barlow then killed back-to-back balls off the slide to secure the 15-11 victory and send the Aggies into the second round.

Quick Notes

  • Utah State also extended their overall winning streak to 22 matches, the third-longest streak in program history, trailing only a 23-game streak spanning the team’s 1978 national title season and 1979, and a program-record 26-game streak in 1978. USU’s streak is now tied for the third-longest active streak in the nation.

  • Utah State hit .312 for the match, their 11th-straight match recording a .250 hitting percentage or better. The Aggies are now hitting .274 on the season, a mark which would break the current program record of .238 set in 2016.

  • Larkin added another eight kills on a .500 hitting percentage plus two blocks and a career-high three digs.

  • Sophomore outside hitter Delaney Lawson and freshman defensive specialist Sadie Warren provided key defensive contributions with eight and six digs, respectively. 

  • Utah State is now 3-6 in the NCAA Tournament all-time, recording their first win since defeating BYU in Salt Lake City in 2001. USU also defeated Missouri the year prior in Provo, Utah. 

  • The Aggies are now 19-13-1 all-time against SEC teams and recorded their first win over the conference since beating Alabama in 2003.

  • Utah State improved to a 29-4 record during Kofe’s career when she records at least 10.0 assists per set.

Up Next
The Aggies continue play in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against second-seeded Arizona State on Friday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. (MT). The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

Fans can follow the Aggie volleyball program on Twitter, @USUVolleyball, on Facebook at /USUVolleyball or on Instagram, @usuvolleyball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, @USUAthletics, Facebook at /USUAthletics and on Instagram, @USUAthletics.

 – USU –



Link

1
Continue Reading

Sports

Women’s Track and Field Look to Continue Success as a Squad this Winter

Published

47 minutes ago

on

December 6, 2025

By


WEST HARTFORD, Conn. –  The Hartford Women’s Track and Field team look to build off of a strong season in the spring as the team moves into the indoor portion of the schedule. Last year, the team found success both indoors and outdoors with strong placements in marquee meets such as 2nd in the Conference of New England (CNE) Championships, 12th and tied for 14th in the NCAA DIII Championships, and 17th and 25th in the NEICAAA All-New England Championships.

New Year, Similar Squad

With Head Coach Connor Green returning for his third year and the team only graduating two seniors a year ago, Hartford will be running out a whole host of familiar faces this season. 31 out of the 48 Hawks will be back for Coach Green with eight entering into their senior season. Amongst the group of notable returners is Lauren Duffy (Southington, Conn.) who is coming off of a standout freshman campaign last season. Duffy finished with seven top ten finishes last season with two top three finishes at The Reggie Open. 

“Our team expectations are to just stay consistent, disciplined, and work on the little things a lot. Like being in the weight room, getting consistent miles in, and also hurdle mobility, injury prevention stuff, just to stay healthy throughout the season.” Duffy said.

 

Another key returner for the Hawks is junior Leslie Samuel (Montauk, N.Y.) who is coming off a season in which she was named to the USTFCCCA All-Region Team.

“I am mostly excited to get back into it. I didn’t compete last year, so I am excited to get back to where I am, and make it to nationals hopefully.” Samuel said.

 

A third key returner for the Hawks is Tommie Barker (Canton, Conn.). Barker last season was nominated to the CNE All-Conference Third Team for her/their performance in both hammer throw and shotput.

“I have high expectations for this year, given it’s my senior year. I’m hoping to keep improving and PR consistently at almost every meet. My main goal is to make it to all New Englands this year, and I think it’s very doable! I’m super excited for indoor and even more so for outdoor! Between lifting and practicing consistently for the past few months, I think we’re all at our best going into this season. Practice makes progress, and we’ve had a lot of time to make some amazing progress!” Barker said. 

Season Outlook:

The Hawks will begin their season at the Yale invitational on Dec. 6th. Following that event they will take on the Wesleyan University Invitational on Jan. 24th. They will also compete in the John Thomas Terrier Classic at Boston University on Jan. 31st. The Hawks will close out the indoor track and field season at the NCAA Division III New England Championships in Boston at the New England at the Track of New Balance

For the latest information on Hartford Athletics follow the Hawks on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

 





Link

1
Continue Reading

Sports

Nebraska volleyball vs. Long Island live updates, stats and highlights

Published

48 minutes ago

on

December 6, 2025

By


Updated Dec. 5, 2025, 7:40 p.m. CT

Nebraska volleyball (30-0) begins the road to Kansas City Friday with the No. 1 overall seed in the 2025 NCAA tournament. The Huskers play host for the Regional and take on the Long Island Sharks (20-8) for the opening round.

The match commences after San Diego takes Kansas State at 4:30 p.m. CT. The winner of each match advances to the second, which is set for Saturday at 7 p.m. CT.

Nebraska comes in with its first perfect regular season in 25 years along with its third consecutive Big Ten title. The Huskers also enter the tournament with the top offense and defense in the nation, standing with a .352 hitting percentage and holding opponents to a .125. 





Link

1
Continue Reading

Sports

Commodore Track & Field Schedule Revealed – Vanderbilt University Athletics – Official Athletics Website

Published

1 hour ago

on

December 6, 2025

By


NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Director of Vanderbilt cross country and track and field Althea Thomas released the program’s 2025–26 schedule, which features four home and 11 away meets.

The Commodores kick off the new season at home with the Commodore Winter Challenge on Saturday at the David Williams II Recreation and Wellness Center. Two more indoor home meets, the Vanderbilt Invitational and Music City Challenge, will be Jan. 16–17 and Feb. 13–14, respectively.

The SEC Indoor Championships will be Feb. 26–28 in College Station, Texas. The top 16 qualifiers in each event will compete at the NCAA Indoor Championships on March 13–14 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Vandy will travel to several away events during the indoor and outdoor seasons, including several repeat events like Florida Relays, Mt. SAC Relays and others and new additions, such as the Hampton Inn River City Relays and 44 Farms Team Invitational.

The Dores will close out their outdoor regular season in Nashville with the Music City Challenge on May 1–2 at the Vanderbilt Outdoor Track.

Vanderbilt will head south to Auburn, Alabama, for the SEC Outdoor Championships on May 14–16. The NCAA East First Round will be May 27–30 in Lexington, Kentucky, and the NCAA Outdoor Championships will be June 10–13 in Eugene, Oregon.

The program’s full schedule is available at vucommodores.com. Fans can follow Vanderbilt track and field on Facebook, Instagram and X at @VandyXCTrack.

2025-26 Vanderbilt Track & Field Schedule
Dec. 6 Winter Commodore Challenge in Nashville
Jan. 9–10 Rod McCravy Memorial Invitational in Louisville, Ky.
Jan. 16-17 Vanderbilt Invitational in Nashville
Jan. 30–31 Bob Pollock Invitational in Clemson, S.C.
Jan. 31 John Thomas Terrier Classic in Boston
Feb. 13–14 Music City Challenge in Nashville
Feb. 26-28 SEC Indoor Championships in College Station, Texas
March 13–14 NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark.
March 19–20 Hampton Inn River City Relays in Jacksonville, Fla.
March 26–27 Raleigh Relays in Raleigh, N.C.
April 3–4 Florida Relays in Gainesville, Fla.
April 9–11 44 Farms Team Invitational in College Station, Texas
April 10 Crimson Tide Invitational in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
April 15–18 Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif.
April 16–18 Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, Calif.
April 25–26 LSU Alumni Invitational in Baton Rouge, La.
May 1–2 Music City Challenge in Nashville
May 14–16 SEC Outdoor Championships in Auburn, Ala.
May 27–30 NCAA East First Round in Lexington, Ky.
June 10–13 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore.
June 18–21 USATF U20 Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore.
July TBD USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore.
Aug. 5–9 World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Ore.





Link

1
Continue Reading

Sports

Gameday

Published

1 hour ago

on

December 6, 2025

By







Gameday















Skip To Main Content
























Link

1
Continue Reading

Most Viewed Posts

Trending