Millie Astley is a Marketer of the Future finalist in the YouTube NZ Marketing Awards 2025.
The winner will be announced on September 3.
Name: Millie Astley
Job title: Marketing Specialist, ANZ
How it started
How did you find out you were nominated – what was the first thing you did?
My manager told me during one of our regular 1:1s that she was putting me forward for the nomination. It was a really motivating moment – hearing that kind of recognition from people you respect and work closely with was really special. The first thing I did was message my family. They’ve always been in my corner, so it was great to share that news with them.
What sparked your interest in marketing?
Honestly, I didn’t always know what I wanted to do. I started out with a commerce degree and naturally gravitated toward marketing. I found myself genuinely engaged in the lectures – especially compared to subjects like accounting! Marketing just clicked. It felt dynamic, creative and fast-paced. The more I learned, the more excited I became about the potential to work in an industry that’s constantly evolving and rooted in understanding people, behaviour and connection. That human element is what really drew me in.
In a couple of sentences, sum up your marketing career so far.
I’ve been really lucky to have had a fast start through the graduate programme, which gave me early exposure to a wide range of marketing disciplines and teams. That experience helped me build a strong foundation and understand how different parts of the marketing ecosystem come together. Since then, I’ve worked on a variety of projects that have challenged me to grow.
Say hello to the other Marketer of the Future finalists 2025
Jess Bark
Josie Cook
Lucy Hansard
Simran Wadhawan
Thomas Siemsen
What do you like best?
What’s your favourite thing about marketing? Do you have a specialist area?
I wouldn’t call myself a specialist just yet – there’s still so much I’m learning. But I’ve found myself really enjoying brand marketing, especially the creative side. I like the challenge of figuring out how to tell a story that actually connects with people. It’s not just about making things look good, it’s about understanding how people think and feel and shaping a message that resonates. When a campaign lands well and you see that connection happen, it’s a pretty cool feeling.
Tell us about a specific project you’ve worked on that stands out for you.
One project that stands out is the Festive Safer Online Shopping campaign I led in Nov-Dec 2024. It was timed around the holiday shopping season, when online fraud tends to spike, and focused on positioning ANZ’s Dynamic Security Code (DSC) as a key tool for keeping customers safe. We leaned into cultural moments like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, using bespoke creative to stand out in a crowded advertising space. By making the DSC feature feel relevant and easy to understand, we helped build trust and reinforce ANZ’s reputation as a safety-first, customer-focused brand. The campaign exceeded KPIs, drove a significant uplift in DSC usage, and raised awareness around fraud prevention – showing how timely, insight-led marketing can make a real impact.
Hard stuff, good stuff
What are the biggest challenges for people starting out in this industry?
A challenge that probably won’t surprise anyone is feeling like an imposter in a land of experts. You’re suddenly surrounded by people who’ve been doing this for years, and it can be intimidating – especially when you’re the youngest in the room. But I’ve come to realise that being new can actually be a strength. You bring a fresh perspective, and, in a lot of cases, you might be the only person in the room who’s actually part of the target audience. That’s a huge advantage, and it’s something I’ve learned to lean into.
Any advice for other young marketers?
I’d say, stay curious. Marketing’s always shifting, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. What works one day might totally flop the next, so it helps to keep asking questions, trying new things and not being afraid to get it wrong.
And honestly, some of the best learning moments for me have come from saying yes to things that felt a bit out of my comfort zone. Even if something doesn’t feel like the perfect fit, it might teach you something valuable.
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