CB Hot Suit Takes: Nita Davey, Director, Trilogy

CB Hot Suit Takes is our new Q&A series for senior leaders and senior suits across the WA industry ~ covering careers, creativity, challenges and the song that sums it all up. Next up in the hot seat is Nita Davey, Director, Trilogy.

1. What made you get into advertising?
At 17 I went to a cricket match with no clear career path in mind, and met Ern Johnson, co-owner of Johnson Boon Advertising. He was a true Adman. Sharp, charismatic and could make a great bourbon Old Fashioned.

He offered to train me from the ground up! Perhaps lucky I had the gift of the gab… I showed up the next week for an interview… and 46 years later, I’m still in the industry!

Early on, there were no lanes. I worked across everything from production to media planning and account management, over eight years. That grounding shaped how I think about the industry and business today. You understand the work better when you’ve done all of it.

My foundation was built at Johnson Boon, and my professional growth came at John Davis Advertising (JDA), working alongside people like award-winning creative brain Gary Tranter, leading the Woolworths account nationally, and being part of a ‘CB Agency of the Year’ team. But the defining moment was opening the doors at Trilogy Advertising and Marketing 23 years ago with Joanne Bulline. That was the step from learning within the industry… to building something of our own.

2. Which piece of work are you most proud of, and why?
One that stands out is the ‘DeTour’ campaign our team put together for Australia’s Golden Outback. It captured something true; that Western Australia is one of the most beautiful places in the world. But we’re quite parochial in the ways we see a ‘holiday’ as very coastal, and always beachside. The detour mentality was about a physical AND a mental detour and it captured and broke down the existing behaviour. Turn right from the coast and you will discover true regional WA, our history, our roots and the paths less travelled (but more remembered). But you’ll also take a detour into space, breath and more purposeful and mindful experiences. To give yourself and your mind the break and breadth it’s craving!

It genuinely shifted perspectives and I was so taken by it, I bought a caravan so I could experience more of it firsthand! One of the best decisions I’ve made.

Another highlight is ‘Girls Can Play’ with Forrest Chase, for its role in spotlighting women’s sport and the level of talent and career opportunities that deserve far greater recognition and respect. Work that contributes to cultural change, even in a small way, always matters more.

3. What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role right now?
The industry is faster, more complex, and more technology-driven than ever. And I know it sounds cliche, but it still comes down to people. It’s always going to.

Talking about people, finding the right people for teams can be a challenge. People who can think, collaborate, adapt and genuinely care about the work. The care and attitude has such a big part to play, because we like to work like it’s our work, and put that level of care into all of our client’s work. To us it’s personal.

That being said we are very lucky in Perth to have some wonderful talent, some we’ve worked with and some that we’d love to in future.

4. Was there a moment, a mentor or advice that kick-started your career?
I’ve learned more from people than courses.
Ern Johnson: “Show up every day and just do it.”
John Davis: “Don’t suffer future pain.”
Tom Flood: “Get on with it.”
They’re simple, but they’ve stayed with me.
Consistency matters. Energy matters. And momentum matters.

I’ve always believed in showing up, backing yourself, and getting on with it.

5. What’s the most recent thing you’ve learned?
I’ve been thinking a lot about what it really means to “show up”. Agency life isn’t for everyone but for those who choose it, there’s a shared responsibility. To listen properly. To think deeply. To deliver, no matter the size of the brief. We treat them all equally and that’s important.

The best work doesn’t come from individuals, it comes from teams that trust each other and collaborate well.

We’re not an island. And the more connected the team, the stronger the work. Everyone in our agency, in every role and department, has interesting ideas, insights and creativity to share. And that generates better work.

That’s something we’re continuing to build and evolve at Trilogy.

6. What song best sums up your career so far?
I Am Woman — Helen Reddy.

It’s been a wild ride in the industry we love but this one sums it up for me! We’re a female owned independent agency and the path we’ve walked has had many obstacles. Pretty stoked we’re allowed to wear pants to work these days – but it took an office-wide protest to get that one over the line a few decades ago…
Very excited for what the next chapter will bring!

Read previous Hot Suit Takes below:

Jo Bulline – Trilogy
Brendon Lewis – The Brand Agency
Georgie Frampton – KWP+Partners
Nicole Lennox Gray – Wildlings Creative Agency
Hannah Muirhead – Chapter
Silvana Visinoni – Workhouse Advertising
Nat Green – Block
Kelsey Fraser – VML
Simon Stewart – Rare
Kate Kenyon – Berlin 
Magda Wood – Gatecrasher Advertising
Amber Martin – Hypnosis Creative Agency