Dynamic Duos: This Is Flow’s Jimmy Hyett and Matt Papasavva
In this week's Dynamic Duos, Mumbrella speaks to This Is Flow founder and CEO Jimmy Hyett and managing director Matt Papasavva about how the pair reconnected years after first crossing paths at GroupM, with Papasavva the third hire at Hyett's startup, This Is Flow - an independent media agency that now stands at more than 30 employees.
In Dynamic Duos, Mumbrella each week 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 hybridised world of work.
Jimmy Hyett: While our paths crossed in our previous GroupM days a few times, I only truly got to know Matt when he joined Flow as our third employee. A passionate and young future leader, that was highly regarded (and should have probably been awarded) for being the ‘nicest man in media’. Literally, glowing reports from everyone that had the pleasure of working with Matt.
So, we embarked on a journey, building out a digital product that rivalled the goliaths, but inspired by start-ups. Agile, fast moving, innovative but with incredible process and focused on results. This was Matt’s domain – and wow did it deliver.
Multiple awards, incredible partnerships, happy clients experiencing good growth with an even better agency relationship. It was a unicorn hire that didn’t stop there.
Matt helped create Flow’s amazing culture and energy, centred around positive impact, and grew his skillset to be promoted into the managing director role – leading all things clients and people.
From the early days with only a few staff, to nearly 30 Flow employees, gives me so much joy seeing the agency compete and be successful in some of the most highly regarded circles. Matt has been influential on the journey we have experienced to date, but also with my own career. Learning from each other and taking on new challenges and adventures. It’s been an amazing ride, and there’s so much more to come.
Matt Papasavva: I met Jimmy 10 years ago whilst we were both working for MediaCom in Sydney. Although we were in different teams, it was impossible to not know Jimmy as he was a major player in building an amazing team vibe and culture. During that time, our paths crossed briefly on the Carnival account but mostly through social and sporting events (a decade on and we’re still trying to prove who’s the better touch football player).
Our paths separated after a couple years at MediaCom when I had an opportunity to move within GroupM and join the Mindshare team. It was around this time that Jimmy was starting his entrepreneurial journey and putting the wheels in motion for the business that is now Flow.
The next few years were a whirlwind of a journey, with Flow being built from the ground up whilst I was progressing through roles within Mindshare, followed by Ticketek. November 2019 was the moment of opportunity which brought Jimmy and I back together on the professional front, as I was looking to return to agency land and he was in search of a Digital Lead to launch our in-house digital offering and build the supporting team.
From that moment in time, Jimmy has been an incredible mentor and I’m truly appreciative of the support that has been provided since day 1. Our working relationship is simple – we have complimentary skill sets, a drive for doing great work and a healthy amount of friendly competition and banter.
It’s been amazing to be a part of the evolution of Flow and even better that despite the success, Jimmy is still the same grounded and passionate leader who puts people as his #1 priority.
Jimmy on Matt:
Most memorable moment with Matt: While there are many – like building (and breaking) a whole office full of electric desks in a day, Dale the van (ask me later), the Flow Survivor Christmas Party (huge hit), but the one that sticks out the most is from one of our most recent Flow parties. We celebrated Christmas in July, and Matt surprised the whole office by dressing up as Santa. A small effort that had major impact – the team were vibing it, and it truly did not disappoint. The evening was a smash hit and Matt with hair and a belly is something that won’t be forgotten any time soon.
Describe Matt in one word: HILARIOUS!
Matt’s most annoying habit or endearing behaviour: Matt has an uncanny ability to make anyone laugh whether it is the dad jokes or the chaos he tries to bring out in the team. For the newbies it may take a day or two to get used to – but for the rest of us, it’s so refreshing to see the brighter side of what we do every day, and it really makes the office so much fun. This is highlighted by the newest member of our team, Matt’s raffle spinning wheel. Which finds its way onto many team conversations with a gentle balance of reward or punishment. Chaos.
Matt on Jimmy:
Most memorable moment with Jimmy: Our first major agency pitch together in 2020. We changed the way that pitches are traditionally run and hosted the presentation at The Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability, which for a brand who was serious about sustainability was a major move. That successful pitch landed us the Felix (TPG Telecom) account and ultimately transformed the shape of the agency, allowing us to expand the team and upgrade from a shoebox of an office to a thriving workspace!
Describe Jimmy in one word: PASSIONATE!
Jimmy’s most annoying habit or endearing behaviour: Jimmy’s most endearing behaviour is his drive and competitiveness to be the best. The team see it daily and is ultimately one of the reasons behind the success of the agency. In saying that, the same competitiveness is definitely his most annoying habit…because a lifetime of that drive has given him the ability to find a way to win pretty much any competition we do as a team.
If you and a colleague would like to submit your story to Dynamic duos, please email kwelch@mumbrella.com.au.
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