From his first day in 2015 to leading MM’s Digital team today, Thomas Quayle looks back on ten years of evolution, innovation, teamwork and what continues to inspire him as Media Merchants moves into its next chapter.
Starting Out
What do you remember about your very first day at MM?
I started at MM on Tuesday, 7 April 2015 and I only actually had one day in the Sydney office to kick things off. I was sitting up the back next to Dani (our Print Coordinator at the time) and Caren, one of the Account Managers, sent me a profile questionnaire to fill out for the website. I remember thinking the Donkey Kong wall art was pretty cool, as was the ping pong table, but I didn’t get much time to settle in.
What was your first role, and how did it feel stepping into it?
My first role at MM was Digital Producer. I’ll admit I was a little nervous stepping into it, because in my previous roles I’d been much more hands-on with development and design. My last job did involve leading a small team and dabbling in SEO, so I had some management experience, but this felt like a different challenge.
At the same time, I felt pretty confident. I’d already been into the office a couple of times for interviews, so I had a sense of the people and the place, which made everything feel more familiar. Plus, back then everyone had a photo and profile on the website and everyone just seemed really approachable and warm, that definitely helped ease the nerves.
How was MM different back then compared to now?
When I first started, Digital was run entirely out of the Brisbane office. Our Managing Director, Michael Gee, was based in the Sydney office (which was in Pyrmont back then), while the Digital team was still finding its feet as part of the business.
In those early years, Digital was in a much simpler form compared to now. We were relying heavily on external suppliers for development and the range of services we offered was a lot narrower. Over time we’ve built our own in-house dev team (which we’ve had for quite a while now) and expanded what we can do ourselves. Services like TVC production, copywriting, SEO, SEM and Programmatic have all been brought in-house too, so the business as a whole has become much more integrated.
On my second day I was already on a flight to Brisbane to train with the Digital team up there. The regular office was under renovation, so we were working out of a temporary space. We were tightly fit into two or three little rooms separated by a hallway. It was a bit of chaos, but it turned out to be the perfect way to get to know everyone quickly in close quarters. I even treated myself to a nice dinner at Gerard’s Bistro on the first night, my own little “welcome to MM” celebration
Career Journey
What have been your proudest achievements or favourite projects?
The launch of the National Product Review website was a big one. It was a true team effort to get it off the ground. It’s evolved a lot since then, with new technical integrations and improvements and it’s been rewarding to see how far it’s come.
The e-script prescription integration for Good Price Pharmacy was another highlight. It was a complex technical project that brought real value to both the business and its customers, the kind of work that makes you appreciate the behind-the-scenes problem-solving our team does so well.
Then there were the projects that stood out for their live elements. Working with Craig Lowndes and the Autobarn Lowndes Racing team on their website and the live-stream launch of their livery back in 2018 was a real buzz, especially when Lowndes went on to win Bathurst that same year in that very car.
Also, the live silent-auction system we built for charity Hands Across The Water’s Night of Celebration at Sydney Town Hall. Seeing our work on the big screen and on every attendee’s phone, as well as knowing it was helping raise money for a great cause, was a pretty special moment.
How has your role grown or changed over time?
When I first started as a Digital Producer, I was very hands-on and part of a small, tight-knit team. As our projects grew in size and complexity, so did the team and I gradually found myself stepping into more of a leadership role.
Over time, that became official with the transition into my current role as Head of Digital. Along the way, I also picked up a few other hats, helping with IT and some of the company’s operational responsibilities, even stepping in as acting Head of Operations for a period.
It’s been a steady evolution. From being on the tools, to leading the people who use them, to now shaping how Digital fits into the bigger picture of MM.
Were there any big challenges you’ve faced, and how did you overcome them?
There have definitely been a few challenges along the way. About a month after I started, our Lead Digital Producer left the company and within six months I found myself flying solo in the team for a while. It was a bit of a trial by fire, but it pushed me to learn fast, take initiative and keep things running until we could rebuild the team.
As the years went on, the challenges shifted. Balancing rapid changes in technology, evolving client needs and the need to build better processes as we grew was a big one. We’ve had to continually refine how we work, from streamlining workflows to improving resource planning, to ensure we could scale without losing quality.
Looking back, I think persistence, a lot of teamwork, problem-solving and a bit of trial and error have been the key to overcoming all of it.
The People
Who have been the most influential colleagues or mentors along the way?
I’ve been really lucky to work with some great people over the years who’ve had a big impact on me.
Matt Chapman (Chappo), our previous Commercial Director, taught me a lot about blending creative ambition with commercial awareness. He had a great way of keeping things pragmatic without ever losing sight of the bigger picture.
Tony Carrier (TC), our previous Operations Manager, really shaped how I think about process and efficiency. He had an incredible ability to simplify complexity, something I still try to apply to how we run Digital today.
Michael Gee (MG), our Managing Director, has probably taught me a mix of all those things. Balancing creativity with commercial thinking, refining processes and staying calm under pressure. He has been a constant influence. Supportive, level-headed, always leading by example and great at providing perspective. He’s someone who encourages you to think strategically and outside of the box, but still stay hands-on when it counts.
I also have to mention James Fitzgerald, our CEO, for his consistently positive outlook. His energy and optimism set the tone for the whole business.
Beyond that, every member of my team, past and present, has played a part in shaping how I lead. I’ve learnt just as much from them as from any mentor.
What makes working with your team special?
What makes working with my team special is how collaborative and grounded everyone is. There are no egos, just people who genuinely want to do great work and help each other succeed. We can laugh at ourselves, roll with the chaos when things get busy and still deliver at a really high standard.
Everyone brings something different. Some are meticulous and best-practice-driven, others calm, adaptable, or lightning-fast when things need to get done. It’s that mix of skill, attitude and humour that makes the team so strong. We trust each other, enjoy what we do and take pride in doing it well
Do you have a favourite memory or funny story from working with others?
There have been so many good memories over the years, but a few definitely stand out.
Not long after I started, we had a “Mexican Day” in the office…or at least, I thought we did. I went all in. Fake moustache, poncho, sombrero, the works… only to discover that nobody else had dressed up. To make it even better, we had a new colleague starting that day, who was understandably a little taken aback when I greeted him at the door in full costume. Later that afternoon, one of our team members was leaving and as a farewell gift, she insisted I walk up the main street in Pyrmont in costume with her. Safe to say, I made an impression pretty early on.
There were also the infamous Photoshop wars on a random Friday afternoon. We’d dig up a funny photo from a social event and spend way too much time editing each other into ridiculous situations. It was pure chaos, but some of the funniest moments I can remember.
And of course, the social events. From bubble soccer and battle archery to escape rooms, karaoke nights and Christmas parties on boats or in Kingscliff, there’s been no shortage of laughs and good times.
MM’s Evolution
What changes have you witnessed at MM over 10 years?
So much has changed over the past decade. Our service offering has grown massively, with Performance, Programmatic and Content services all becoming part of what we do. Within Digital, we’ve built out our own in-house developer capabilities (where we used to rely on external suppliers) and that’s been a huge shift in how we operate.
Our processes have also matured and become much more refined. The way we work across departments has evolved too. There’s a much stronger sense of integration now between Digital, Creative, Performance, Content and Media. It feels like one connected ecosystem rather than separate teams.
How has the industry itself changed during your time here?
When I started, print was still a major part of the business, but Digital was quickly on the rise, a trend that hasn’t stopped. Over the years, Digital has become more and more central to what we do and many of the new services we’ve added have been about supporting that growth.
The tools we use have changed countless times. New coding languages, frameworks and methodologies seem to appear every year. It keeps us on our toes, but that’s what makes it interesting. Automation and AI are now playing a much bigger role too, which has opened up some exciting new possibilities for how we work and deliver value for clients.
What do you think has stayed the same about MM’s values or culture?
Through all the change, the thing that’s stayed the same is the people. MM has always been about good human beings. People who genuinely care about their work, their clients and each other. That’s why we have such high staff tenure and so many clients who’ve been with us for well over a decade.
Personal Reflections
What keeps you motivated after 10 years?
Digital never stands still and neither does MM. The industry is constantly evolving. Adapting to that changing landscape keeps things interesting. There are always new challenges to solve, new tools to explore, new tech advancements to get excited about and new ways to make what we do even better.
My responsibilities have shifted a lot over the years too, which has kept things fresh. There’s always something new to learn, whether it’s a technical skill, a leadership lesson or a better way to collaborate.
What also keeps me motivated is seeing my team grow. Watching people develop new skills, take ownership of projects and build confidence in their craft is incredibly rewarding. And of course, there’s nothing better than helping bring a client’s idea to life. Seeing something go from concept to creation and knowing our work helped make it real.
That mix of growth, change, the chance to keep improving and shared success is what keeps me excited to come to work after a decade here.
What skills or lessons have you learned that you value the most?
I’ve learned a lot over the years, but a few lessons stand out. Leadership, patience and adaptability have probably been the biggest ones. Working across such a wide range of projects has taught me how to communicate with everyone. From developers deep in the code to creatives bringing ideas to life and how to get the best out of both worlds.
I’ve also learned the importance of letting go a little. Not in a lazy way, but in a way that avoids becoming a bottleneck and gives others the space to take ownership. Trusting the team to run with things has made us stronger and more efficient.
I’ve learned to be a better listener too. More attentive to what people really need, whether it’s a client, a teammate, or a project itself.
And finally, I’ve learnt not to sweat the small stuff. Things will always change, challenges will pop up, but keeping perspective and focusing on progress over perfection has made all the difference.
What does being part of MM mean to you personally?
MM has been more than just a workplace for me. It’s a place where I’ve made some lifelong friends. Over the years, there have been plenty of ups and downs, both inside and outside of work and MM has been a constant through all of it.
It’s a place that’s grown alongside me and the people here have been there through some of the biggest moments in my life. That sense of support and connection is something I really value.
Being part of MM has shaped who I am, not just professionally but personally. It’s become a big part of my life and I’m genuinely proud to be part of its story.
Looking Ahead
What excites you about the future of MM or the future of your role?
What excites me most is that my role will keep evolving as the industry does. In Digital, there’s always something new to learn. A new tool, a smarter process, or a more creative way to achieve an outcome. That constant sense of discovery keeps things fresh.
I’m also excited about where we’re heading as a team. Every year, we get stronger, sharper and more connected with the rest of the business. Seeing Digital continue to grow as a core part of MM and watching the team keep pushing boundaries is something I’m really proud to be part of.
The industry will keep changing and so will we, but that’s what makes it fun. There’s always something new around the corner and I’m looking forward to seeing how we keep evolving together.
Do you have advice for new team members starting their journey here?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. That’s how you learn and everyone here is more than happy to help. Enjoy the culture, get involved and make the most of it. MM’s a place that gives you plenty of room to grow if you lean into the opportunities, so take them when they come.
