From studying at Otago University to becoming colleagues at OMD, Coco Scott-Howman and Karma Gyeltshen have had similar careers. In 2025, both were promoted from media assistants to account execs. They talk us through the journey.
For Coco Scott-Howman, entering the media marketing industry was a “happy accident.”
She had studied economics at Otago University, yet she knew public service wasn’t the place for her.
“But I did know I wanted to be challenged creatively. That’s what led me to media.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t have known about the industry if it weren’t for all the advertising for the Comms Council Graduate Recruitment Programme around uni,” she says.
The programme gives emerging talent a launchpad into careers across the advertising, media and communications industries.
Fellow Otago alumni and now OMD colleague Karma Gyeltshen was a marketing major. He also discovered the Comms Council programme in class. Not through posters, but a Comms Council presentation.
“I remember thinking, ‘All right, I want to learn more and see where this goes,’” he says.
Inspired by the opportunity, they applied and soon found themselves pitching to a room of HR managers from various agencies.
Beyond your credentials
“Our presentation was pretty much like an interview,” says Gyeltshen. “But we were told it didn’t have to be about our time at uni – it could be on any topic. They just wanted to see how you carry yourself, and a lot of people did really creative things.
“I did mine on my love of sports and how every year I randomly find a new sport that I become obsessed with.”
“Mine was on how my life is centred around the number two,” says Scott-Howman. “For example, I’ve got two cultures: Viet and Kiwi. Two passions: dance and tennis, and two households growing up.”
She says the experience taught her the value of being herself – something that still matters in her role.
“My boss told me why she hired me after the interview. She said it was every little nuance of my personality – all the things that go beyond your credentials – that made me who I am.
“On my CV it says I got a degree. I might’ve done well in some classes, but they’re looking to dig deeper and ask, ‘Will you be able to connect with the client? Work well with the creative partners? Be a good fit for the agency’s culture?’”
More ideas the better
After joining OMD through the graduate programme, they built on their training with the Comms Council Foundations of Advertising and Media course before moving into client-facing roles.
“Now the client gives us a brief to explain the strategy behind media placements and the rationale,” says Gyeltshen. “As account executives, we also help with planning and get to have our say on where the media should go.”
Scott-Howman says this shows why confidence in your authentic self makes a difference.
“I think just having confidence in your own thinking is a good trait to have, because you never know – it could be the better way,” she explains.
“Even though there are a lot more senior people in the team, it’s always nice to have different thoughts going around. I mean, it’s a creative industry, right? So the more ideas, the better.”
No sign of slowing down
Scott-Howman and Gyeltshen work in separate teams, but both manage big-name clients – from McDonald’s to Pepsi.
“I’ve been lucky to work on award-winning projects, like the McDonald’s Monopoly campaign. It’s great to feel like I’ve contributed to the bigger picture,” says Scott-Howman.
Gyeltshen also takes pride in his achievements and thrives on the challenge.
“Throughout the day, you’re juggling client briefs, finance-based tasks and working out how to get things created with the team. It’s a lot of problem-solving, but that’s my favourite part of the job,” he says.
Looking ahead, both want to keep stretching themselves and expanding their skillsets.
“It’s great to reach account exec,” says Gyeltshen, “but I’m always looking for ways to upskill.”
Meanwhile, Scott-Howman is setting her sights on bringing fresh ideas to every brief.
“Clients like innovation, creativity and seeing what you can do differently. I can never settle into just one streamlined way of thinking. Every brief is different, and that’s what excites me every day.”
This story comes from NZ Marketing magazine issue 86, March-May 2026. Why not subscribe? Get four issues a year for just $50 (including delivery) if you autorenew.
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