Dynamic Duos: The Snap duo taking agency sales by storm
This week in Dynamic Duos, we hear from Snap Inc's recently appointed head of agency sales ANZ, Ella Keddie, and agency partner, Will Mitchell.
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.
Ella Keddie:
Will and I started working together almost three years ago when he joined the Snap team in mid-2022. We began as a client partner and account manager team leading clients across retail, finance, and government and had a lot of success building relationships and delivering for clients. We have a very enabling culture at Snap, which has allowed my working partnership with Will to thrive and also supports us in focusing as a team on driving agency success together. When the agency roles came up, I knew that we would be the perfect team to tackle the challenge as we could hit the ground running and had proved our success over the last few years together.
I was immediately impressed by Will’s attitude and enthusiasm. He jumps in with both feet into everything – he’s very much a yes man and keen to try new things, challenge himself and help out where he can. As soon as we started working together, I could see that with his commitment, work ethic and hunger to learn, he would be someone I wanted to work closely with.
In these roles, you generally work alongside a partner as a team, and over the years, I’ve learned a lot about dynamics and how to get the best out of a working relationship. Mutual respect and friendship need to be first. It doesn’t happen overnight, but when you trust each other, empower each other, give feedback, and learn how the other works, it can be an extremely powerful partnership in the long term.
We have built trust as friends and colleagues, which empowers us to work as individuals and as a team. We also approach work similarly and have learnt to work in a yin-yang way that balances each other well. Being in my mid-thirties with two kids and Will being in his mid-twenties, we couldn’t be more different in where we are at with our personal lives. But when it comes to work, we are ambitious and hard-working and share the same passion for what we do. We collaborate well, share the load and complement each other best.
Will is one of the most likeable, charismatic, approachable people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. His generosity and kindness shines through in everything he does. From leading philanthropy at Snap in AU to shaking the hand of our office security every morning, he goes out of his way to make both the workplace and the lives of the people around him a better place.
I’ve always respected work ethic, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn. Will has all three.
Will Mitchell:
We started working together about two and a half years ago. I was so excited to learn that we’d be working on the retail vertical at Snap together. It’s great that we’ve continued working as a duo across several roles and teams. It’s a true testament to the culture at Snap that’s enabled our ongoing partnership and supported our focus on agency success.
Although I didn’t work directly with Ella initially, everyone I asked about her in the office immediately said how talented and dependable she was and that she’s someone you’d love to work with. They couldn’t have been more accurate. I quickly realised how brilliant she was, someone I truly wanted to learn from. I probably asked her a million questions, and she always had the answer or knew exactly where to find it. I’d describe her as a weapon, a true asset and someone who brings out the best in others.
Ella has been both a mentor and a friend. She’s taught me so much – how to navigate operations, respond to briefs effectively, build strong relationships, and handle challenging conversations. Her ability to work with clients and set them up for success is second to none. Each day, I learn something new from her, especially when it comes to problem-solving and refining my approach. I’m immensely grateful for all that she’s shared with me.
I think we balance each other well. Mutual trust in each other’s roles and responsibilities led to our success. We both hold similar standards for quality and timeliness and are both numbers enthusiasts. This alignment in expectations and values keeps our work seamless and effective.
Ella’s reputation in the industry is incredible; whenever I mention her name, people say she is one of the best at what she does. She brings unparalleled energy to every task and is willing to step up, even for jobs that aren’t strictly her responsibility. With her vast industry experience, she combines quality and efficiency in every task she does. Her dedication and adaptability make her stand out.
Ella consistently produces high-quality work at incredible speed, whether it’s a presentation, a brief response, or even a meeting with a client. She knows exactly what needs to be done and is a master at juggling multiple responsibilities while never compromising on standards. And I’m so grateful I can learn from her continuously.
Ella on Will:
Most memorable moment with Will: We hosted a party for clients and agencies early on in Will’s time at Snap. During the party, many people didn’t realise we had drink fridges with drinks in them, so Will went to his desk and made a sign that he stuck on the fridge. He also stayed after everyone had left to clean up the party so the cleaners wouldn’t have a big job. I knew at that moment that this guy was someone special.
Best word to describe him: Generous.
Most annoying habit or endearing behaviour he has: The most endearing thing about Will is that he will say yes and sign up for just about anything. Culture club leader, it’s him. Christmas party organiser, it’s him. Need IT support? It’s him. If your team is short of a soccer player, ask Will. It’s a testament to the guy he is, but it also ends up with him doing a million weekly activities!
Will on Ella:
Most memorable moment with Ella: I experienced a moment of self-doubt in my role, and Ella took me aside for an open, supportive conversation about how we could collaborate effectively. Her honesty and kindness left a lasting impact, and since then, I’ve come to see her as both a mentor and a friend.
Best word to describe her: Organised.
Most annoying habit or endearing behaviour she has: As a mum of two, she balances work and family with remarkable grace, always finding time for her team and clients. No matter how busy she is, she’s consistently thoughtful and dependable, ensuring everyone is supported around the clock.
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Lauren McNamara is the associate editor at Mumbrella, covering the agency beat. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS.
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