Ruby Henshaw • • • NEXT WAVE

Full Name: Ruby Henshaw 
Social handle: @rubyhenshaw
Job title: Senior Talent Manager
Workplace: Flare Media Partners 
Location: Melbourne, Australia

What does a typical day look like as a Senior Manager at Flare Media Partners? 

I tend to start most mornings with a big walk, grossly overpriced coffee and chat with my beautiful boyfriend, Daf! And then from there it's straight to the office for morning admin/emails, talent wips, strategy meetings, drafting our Flare socials and campaign management - normally followed by a 3pm Diet Coke run with our founder Georga because some stereotypes deserve to be leaned into. 

What's a "boring" skill that's been surprisingly valuable throughout your career? 

It’s nice to be nice! Genuinely, unglamorously nice. It sounds almost too simple to count as a 'skill,' but in an industry so fast paced fast, it's so important. People remember how you made them feel. Kindness with both clients and talent builds the kind of trust that turns one-off collaborations into long-term relationships. 

What part of your job gives you the most energy?

I LOVE working on organic strategy with my creators - brainstorming ways to diversify their profiles and content, spotting new formats and trends before they're oversaturated, and developing long-term strategy for genuine career development. I'm incredibly lucky that I genuinely adore every single creator I represent; their different personalities and perspectives on what's trending are exactly what keeps the work exciting. 

What is one lesson you've learned from a project that didn't go to plan?

It's less about one specific project and more an overall lesson I’ve learnt the hard way: ask for help when you need it - or even before you need it. Burnout is so common in our industry; as young professionals, we tend to want to 'have it all,' and we can - just not at the expense of our own wellbeing. Learning to delegate, lean on your team, and admit when something's too much isn't a weakness, it's what makes longevity in this industry possible. 

What do the best people you've worked with have in common?

I’ve been so fortunate to work for and with so many incredible female powerhouses in this industry and the thread that has always connected them is their love of the chase. No risk no reward, closed mouths don’t get fed etc etc. The best people I’ve worked with would rather ask and be told no than not ask at all. 

One thing you wish more juniors knew before entering the workforce? 

Use your age to your advantage!! I started out in influencer marketing at 19 with no degree, no formal experience but a genuine love for all things social media and pop culture. 

Growing up with the internet means juniors coming into this industry now have a natural literacy in social media and that’s honestly a huge strength and point of difference. 

Favourite project you've worked on?

It was such a joy to see Elena Téa’s ChouChou Intimates collection come to life, my favourite projects always tend to have some sort of tactile element that extends beyond socials - shakes up the day to day campaign management a bit!  Not only was seeing Elena shine through this project incredibly rewarding but it was also so interesting to learn from Kayla, Tina and the Chouchou team.