Dynamic Duos: Day Mgmt’s Genevieve Day and Ella Dolan
Day Mgmt's founder Genevieve Day and senior talent manager Ella Dolan tell Mumbrella how they have found success together in the emerging influencer industry, pairing their PR experience and tight knit friendship to take on bigger clients and bigger campaigns.
In Dynamic Duos, Mumbrella each fortnight asks two members of the same organisation with a professional and personal affiliation, to share with readers the importance of workplace relationships in an increasingly work-from-home world.
Genevieve Day, founder, Day Mgmt
Genevieve Day: I first met Ella virtually, she was working in Sydney at a leading fashion PR agency, and I was in the early stages of Day Mgmt here in Melbourne. We collaborated on talent campaigns for brands like Country Road, and I always admired the effortless communication and work ethic. We met in person when I came up to Sydney for a work trip visiting clients. She was just as warm IRL, and when she reached out that she’d moved to Melbourne and was keen to work together I basically hired her on the spot.
Hiring Ella was a game changer for the business. I only had one part-time employee before her, and the ‘era of Ella’ started a shift in the company. We were more driven, and we were hungry for bigger clients and bigger campaigns and bigger talent. She has a knack for spotting what’s hot before the masses. She scouted Flex Mami when Lil only had 15k followers, knowing that she was to become one of the country’s most in-demand personalities.
We’ve learnt an awful lot from each other. We are polar opposites in personality and sometimes even working styles, but share the same values to our core. We both started out hustling as PR minions at different agencies, and share similar horror stories but also the work ethos it taught. We both love Survivor and debrief in the office after every Tribal Council. My brain is wired towards business strategy, numbers and growth and perfectly compliments her creativity.
Ella has an air of calm and I’ve learnt to accept the things I cannot change from being around her for the last 3+ years. She is also incredibly empathetic. She can read people, a skill in talent management that can’t be understated. She can navigate the emotional rollercoasters of talent and clients with ease and grace.
Recently Ella has been heading to events to represent the company. Some people wrongly assume Day Mgmt is a one-woman-show, so it’s been great watching her shift into this more front-facing role, and also to spotlight her integral role at Day Mgmt.
Ella Dolan, senior talent manager, Day Mgmt
Ella Dolan: Gen and I met through my old role whilst I was working in fashion PR in Sydney. She’d be one of my go-to contacts for talent for any influencer campaigns and I remember her coming all the way to Sydney to hand deliver personalised cupcakes. She’s always been in the trenches putting in the hours to ensure she fosters those genuine relationships with her clients. From there, once I knew I was coming back home to live in Melbourne, she was the first person I got in touch with in the search for a new job. She got back to me almost instantly which shows her work ethic, ability to get that inbox cleared and to also not disregard anything that gets sent her way. One interview later and I was in the office the following week and I’m still here.
We gel so well as we’re the epitome of yin & yang. Gen thrives in the regiment and business strategy side of things and I’m a much more ‘go with the flow’ type of person with a creative brain so we certainly balance each other out. I’ve always said she’s one of the smartest women I’ve ever met. She has the brain of someone who’s been in the industry for 30+ years in a little 30(ish) year old body.
Gen exudes ‘power woman’ energy. Her resilience, ability to conquer anything that’s thrown at her and to have built such a successful business, solo and at a time where influencers were only just beginning to flourish is so admirable. I don’t think people realise how much work goes into making sure everything is running smoothly behind the scenes and she’s been doing it for years. Not only is she managing talent, she’s making sure all other aspects of the company are sorted, admin, accounting, office plant mum, the list is endless and to be honest a little insane, ha! Someone needs to kidnap her and take her on a forced holiday,
At the end of the day though, amidst all the business chaos, she’s constantly making sure everyone else is happy and I’m so lucky to have the role that I do. We’re a really great team.
Genevieve on Ella:
Most memorable moment with Ella: Ooh there are a few to choose from! Recently it was great to attend PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival together with our talent. We thrive in the chaos, running around shooting content and most of all taking time to have fun and enjoy it.
One word to describe Ella: Charismatic
Ella’s most annoying habit or endearing behaviour: She challenges my thinking regularly. I’m absolutely better for it, and it’s widened my point of view on multiple occasions.
Ella on Genevieve:
Most memorable moment with Genevieve: This is a tricky one because we’ve been in each others pockets for the last 3 years and SO much has happened. But, I think the most memorable and my favourite moments are when we get a chance to go away interstate, see our talent, meet clients and have a mini holiday of sorts. It’s a great chance for both of us to recharge and reconnect given we’re glued to our desks most days.
One word to describe Genevieve: Indomitable
Genevieve’s most annoying habit or endearing behaviour: Gen has this ability to make you want to work hard without forcing it upon you. This role can be emotionally taxing as you’re speaking to a multitude of people everyday plus coordinating all jobs but the work environment has never made it feel like it’s a burden to come into the office. We all get along so well and Gen has made sure she’s built the right foundation for this. Some people may describe her as ‘intimidating’ and I can understand why because she’s so focused and working at 100% all the time. It’s what’s made her so successful, she has no time for the BS
If you and a colleague would like to submit your story to Dynamic duos, please email kwelch@mumbrella.com.au.
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