Opinion

Dynamic Duos: ‘I couldn’t do this job without her’

This week in Dynamic Duos, we hear from Sony Pictures Television’s vice presidents and co-heads of distribution Australia and New Zealand, Carolyn Ozkoseoglu and Julia Salter.

Matthew Leong

October 17, 2025 8:50

In Dynamic Duos, Mumbrella each week asks two colleagues with a professional and personal affiliation to share with readers the importance of workplace relationships in an increasingly hybridised world of work.

Julia Salter:

Carolyn and I first started working together in late 2015 when I joined the Universal-Sony Home Entertainment joint venture and Carolyn was in TV Distribution Sales for Sony Pictures, one of the parent companies of the JV. I was immediately struck by Carolyn’s warmth, intelligence and sense of humour. We got on immediately and bonded over being working mothers with our sons (Casey and Henry) a similar age, both toddlers at the time (now 11 year olds that are almost taller than us!). When Carolyn returned from parental leave with her second child I left the JV to take on a role at Paramount Pictures but we kept in touch. Carolyn kindly put my name forward when a role came up at Sony Pictures around 12 months later. The opportunity to work together again was a key reason I returned.

We’ve now been working together for almost five years first as co-sales leads and now as co-country managers for ANZ. Co-leading our incredible team with Carolyn has been an absolute highlight of my career. I’m so proud of what we have been able to achieve together as a team to grow our partnerships together across Australia and New Zealand. She is an example of how leading and partnering with empathy and kindness goes a long way to secure positive long-term outcomes.

She is a creative thinker, solution-focused and cares deeply. We both sometimes have the tendency to think of the worst-case scenario, but we are equally good at building each other up when the other is feeling negative and vice versa. It’s a true partnership, and I hope we continue to be an example of why two is better than one. We’ve recently announced multi-year partnerships with Stan, Foxtel, and Amazon this year that show our commitment to forming deep, meaningful relationships with key partners in the region and looking forward to many more to come.

I couldn’t do this job without her. I’m so thankful every day that I have her not only as an incredible colleague but a dear friend, here’s to many more years of success!

Carolyn Ozkoseoglu:

Jules and I met at work in 2015 although in a different capacity to how we’re working together today. Jules was working at the Universal-Sony Home Entertainment joint venture while I was in TV Distribution Sales for Sony Pictures, and I remember when we first met thinking to myself – wow this woman knows what she’s doing, she’s walking the walk!

As co-territory heads for Australia and New Zealand, we share the load, which is invaluable given we both have young families. I’ve had many managers during my career, but no doubt I am learning the most from her. And co-leading has taught me more than any role to focus on the objectives and put your ego to the side. This is my favourite mantra – remember this and the results are always going to be so much greater for your business. This is one of our greatest strengths in our relationship.

We’ve been working together now in this capacity for almost 5 years and in this time, we have built a strong relationship that is built on trust and support for each other both in the workplace and also in our personal lives. Thankfully, Jules and I are very aligned in our thinking in terms of managing the business and our team – we lead with empathy; we have high standards although we also like to have fun and ensure everyone can be the best versions of themselves at work and in their personal lives. We have each other’s back, we have each other to work through challenging situations and when the going gets tough. And we also have each other to celebrate the wins!

Honestly, the woman could do anything she wants but thankfully, she’s chosen to work with us, and I get to enjoy the fruits of her incredible brain. It is an absolute joy to work and lead our incredible team together – I wouldn’t want to do it without you Jules.

Julia on Carolyn:

Most memorable moment with Carolyn: We’ve been lucky to travel together to many locations over the last few years but the most memorable moment is having burgers together at In n Out after a long day of meetings at LA Screenings, so many laughs 😊

Best word to describe her: Kind, generous, funny, empathetic, creative, solution focused.

Most annoying habit or endearing behaviour she has: She annoyingly has no bad habits – she is liked by everyone and continually makes me want to be a better, more positive person!

Carolyn on Julia:

Most memorable moment with Julia: Prior to working together in our current capacity at Sony Pictures, Jules reached out to me after I had my second son who arrived a bit early. Jules experienced something similar and sent me the most beautiful, reassuring, caring note that lifted my spirits at a time when I was feeling very anxious and I will never forget it.

Best word to describe her: Curious. Jules is incredibly curious, I’ve told her before she would’ve made a fantastic investigative journalist or a doctor and I joke sometimes referring to her as Dr. Salter. She’s also incredibly kind and generous with her time both at work and in her community. She’s a force of nature.

Most annoying habit or endearing behaviour she has: I say this obviously in jest, but her most annoying habit is her ability to clean up at all quizzes – you name it, the pub quiz, office quiz, industry quiz events – get Jules on your side and you’ll be on the winning team.