Uprising: Julia Kim, “A Dreamer and a Doer”
Julia Kim says she’s been “a dreamer and a doer” ever since childhood. Always building things with all kinds of materials or creating elaborate imaginary worlds with her dolls, she loved anything hands-on and creative. Crafting, painting and storytelling, Julia did it all.
“I was also quite a social kid and enjoyed being around people,” she adds. “Looking back, I don’t think I would’ve imagined myself in this current career, but there were definitely some signs.”
Growing up in a Korean household, Julia developed a strong sense of tradition, discipline and respect for elders from an early age. “My Korean background is a part of who I am, and I believe it enriches my perspective in the workplace, guiding me to approach projects with a blend of traditional values, creative thinking, and adaptability.”
Later Julia took up interior design at university and took some time off to travel around during her first year. Unfortunately, the pandemic hit during her second year, rendering her experience quite non-traditional.
However, after this difficult period, Julia picked up her first job, which was a consultant role at an interior design firm, later moving onto event sales, and finally, to her current role as account coordinator at The Park. “I had always been curious about this industry, so getting into it was a deliberate choice for me.”
She continues: “From a combination of formal education, practical experience, mentorship, ongoing learning, and self-reflection, I managed to hone my craft. I believe in the power of feedback and reflection. After each project, I take time to evaluate what worked well and areas for improvement. This enables me to refine my approach and grow with each new experience.”
In the early days of Julia’s career, one of the most valuable lessons she learned was the importance of adaptability and resilience. “In the dynamic and fast-paced environment of the experiential industry, challenges and unexpected obstacles are inevitable.”
When joining the industry, one project stands out as a special one in her memory, which she deems marked the beginning of her journey in the world of advertising and communications.
Specifically, the Pinvision Leadership Forum involved creating a networking opportunity with fireside chat, followed by a sit down dinner for C-suite and CMO guests. “As a junior member of the team, I was tasked with various responsibilities, including coordinating logistics, and liaising with partners.”
Julia adds: “Despite being relatively new to the industry, I was welcomed warmly by my colleagues, who generously shared their expertise and guidance. It was inspiring to witness the collective creativity and dedication as we worked together to bring the client’s vision to life.”
Despite the inspiration, the project had its hurdles too. Unforeseen issues were encountered during the setup phase, which required quick thinking and problem solving. “It truly was a valuable lesson in adaptability and resilience, as we worked together to troubleshoot and ensure the success of the activation.”
Another project of importance Julia mentions, and one that she believes massively scaled up her career, was the Australian Open B2B hosting program for Mastercard. “I think this project pushed both myself and my team to our limits, requiring numerous late nights and an extraordinary level of dedication.”
While a complex affair, requiring lots of sacrifice and hard work, the activation ended up a huge success, “exceeding the client’s expectation” by a mile.
And, it's projects like these that are the reason Julia loves her job - as she puts it, the opportunity to bring abstract creative ideas to life and see the tangible results never gets old. “I thrive on the process and it’s incredibly fulfilling to witness the reactions of people as they engage with the experience we create.”
It’s no surprise that Julia gravitates towards more complex projects too, as she says she feels empowered by stepping way out of her comfort zone. Fear of failure is always present, as well as the worry of not measuring up to expectations, but growth and development “always occur where comfort isn’t present.”
“I’ve been actively pushing myself to embrace challenges and learn from experiences, even if they are initially intimidating,” she adds.
Always defying expectations and bravely jumping into deep waters, Julia is also dedicated to diversity and inclusion, both in the experiences she creates and the teams she collaborates with.
“I believe that diverse perspectives lead to richer, more impactful storytelling and resonate more deeply with diverse audiences. By fostering an inclusive culture and amplifying diverse voices, I aim to create experiences that are accessible, relatable, and empowering for all.”
Due to this, Julia always aims to be invested in discussions surrounding diversity, representation and inclusivity within the wider industry. “I believe that each project should reflect the diversity of the audiences it seeks to engage with.”
So naturally, the resistance to change or reluctance to embrace new ideas (and technologies too), frustrates Julia. “Whether it’s from clients, colleagues, or industry peers, resistance to innovation hinders progress.”
Continuing, she says: “I believe that being open-minded and adaptable is essential for staying relevant and competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.”
When Julia isn’t undertaking the next majorly scary (but ultimately rewarding) project or championing DE&I, she says she loves going on long afternoon walks with her dog and her partner to decompress.
And what’s a walk without a good podcast? Her favourite one now is ‘The Daily Aus’ - “engaging and an easy way to access the news on the go, it’s become a part of my daily routine.”
When asked what drivers her forward and motivates her to keep doing her best work, she leaves us with this: “My passion, my purpose and my development in work and life.”
