The jump from account manager to account director is a game-changer. Timothy Ng, Account Director at We Are Social and former AdSchool student, shares how the Account Leadership course gave him mentorship, a strong peer network, and the skills to lead with confidence.
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Q: How is this course beneficial to account managers?
Moving into an Account Director role is a huge leap — probably one of the biggest steps you take in your account management career. At this stage, account leadership becomes essential, and any guidance you can get along the way is incredibly valuable.
Q: What were some of the most beneficial aspects of undertaking this course?
Two things stand out. First, having experienced and respected industry leaders as facilitators was incredible. My facilitator at the time, Belinda Drew, Chief Client Officer at Droga5, was an amazing mentor, and having access to someone of her calibre and experience through this course is an opportunity you don’t often get. Second, the chance to sit at a table with peers from other agencies and share experiences has been so valuable. Hearing that others face similar challenges — no matter their agency — is really rewarding and reassuring.
Q: Do you think formal training changes the perception of Account Management as a specific craft or skill?
Absolutely. Sometimes account management isn’t viewed as a discipline in the same way strategy or creative is. But, having structured training that breaks down the different areas of account management—and helps us improve within those areas—really helps shape it as a craft. It reinforces how vital our role is in the creative process, alongside strategy, creative, and production.
Q: Beyond the training itself, what other benefits have you gained from this experience?
One of the most valuable parts has been building a network of account management peers from other agencies. It’s so helpful to connect with others at the same career stage, share insights, and learn from different perspectives. Having that broader support network makes the journey a lot less isolating and a lot more enriching.
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AdSchool’s next round of Account Leadership courses start May 21 in Perth, and May 22 in Sydney, Melb and online. Places are limited, register here.