Busy But Not Selling?
Productivity gets talked about a lot in sales. Very little of it is actually useful.This episode is for frontline media salespeople who feel busy all day but struggle to get the important work done.It is not about hustle culture, longer days, or squeezing more hours into your schedule. It is about designing your week and protecting your time so that the hours you already work actually drive revenue.In this solo episode, Jamie breaks down how top-performing sellers think about time, focus, and execution in high-interruption sales environments.In this episode, you will learn how toDesign an ideal week that reduces anxiety and creates clarityUse your calendar as a productivity system rather than a to-do listTime block effectively without damaging internal relationshipsIdentify high-leverage activity versus low-return internal noisePush back professionally when everything feels urgentWork to completion and why quality is a productivity advantageThis episode is especially relevant for digital and media sellers working in response-heavy roles with constant internal demands.If you feel busy but not selling, this episode is for youConnect with Jamie on LinkedIn for office hours calls Chapters00:00 Introduction to Media Sales Mastery00:41 Understanding Productivity in Media Sales02:36 The Importance of Time Management07:26 Building Your Ideal Week13:42 Anchoring Your Day with Themes18:06 Mastering Time Blocking23:28 High Leverage vs Low Leverage Activities24:08 The Epidemic of Busy Work25:27 Setting a Time Budget27:00 Empowering Sales Teams During COVID29:47 Reframing Delegation32:11 Work to Completion38:36 Managing Your Manager46:16 Conclusion and Future Topics
Digi Know?
Digital isn’t a separate channel anymore; it’s part of the entire media ecosystem.In this episode of Media Sales Mastery, Jamie sits down with James Butcher, former Chief Commercial Officer of NZME, to explore how legacy media companiescan better integrate and monetise digital platforms.James has led commercial teams across broadcast, print, and digital, and understands firsthand the tension between driving new revenue streams and protecting core business models. Together, Jamie and James unpack how to simplify complex solutions, balance competing priorities, and evolve the way we position media in the modern landscape.Expect practical insights on:The evolution of digital from “add-on” to “core”Simplifying the sell without oversimplifying the solutionManaging internal tensions around legacy vs. emerging channelsDeveloping a confident digital narrative as a frontline sellerJames Bio: I’m a senior commercial executive with over 15 years’ experience leading growth, transformation, and customer strategy across media, technology, and platform businesses in New Zealand, Australia, and the UK.As Chief Commercial Officer at NZME, I held full P&L accountability for a $238M advertising portfolio and a 325-person team, leading the shift from legacy advertising models to multi-platform, data-led revenue solutions. Across my career, I’ve delivered sustained commercial growth by combining strategic clarity with operational precision — launching new digital revenue streams, building high-performing teams, and driving measurable market share gains in highly disrupted environments.Today, through Old Butcher Holdings Ltd, I’m applying that experience to a broader investment and operating platform spanning media, data, and technology-enabled ventures. I also co-lead NZ Optics, a respected B2B media brand serving the Australasian ophthalmic sector, where we’re modernising operations, expanding digital reach, and unlocking new growth opportunities.I’m passionate about helping businesses evolve — whether through leadership, transformation, or partnership — and remain open to collaboration and executive opportunities where growth, strategy, and innovation intersect.
WFH WTF?
In this episode of Media Sales Mastery, Jamie Wood and guest Nisar Malik, Head of Sales for Melbourne at Are Media, dive deep into the evolving landscape of remote and hybrid work in the media sales industry. They discuss the challenges and strategies of maintaining collaboration, visibility, and culture in a post-COVID world. From the importance of intentional in-office days to the trade offs of remote work for early career salespeopleThis episode offers philosophical insights and practical advice for media sales professionals navigating this new terrain. They also tackle the controversies around flexibility and managing performance, providing valuable tips for both leaders and team members in a hybrid environment. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates03:12 The Impact of Work from Home09:11 Collaboration and Communication in Hybrid Teams11:46 Thriving in a Hybrid Environment14:52 Tactical Approaches for Sales Teams17:43 Balancing In-Office and Remote Work20:22 The Cost of Flexibility25:57 Building Culture in a Remote World31:52 Navigating Work-from-Home Dynamics37:05 Maximising Performance in Hybrid Work Environments45:12 Building Relationships in a Remote World55:55 Creating a Culture of Flexibility and Communication
Dealing With The Tough Stuff
In this episode of Media Sales Mastery, Jamie tackles one of the most important—and least talked about—realities of working in media sales: dealing with the tough stuff.Instead of the usual interview format, Jamie answers five real, anonymous listener questions covering everything from managing underperforming team members, balancing work-life expectations in a high-pressure sales role, navigating defensive stakeholders, addressing toxic behaviour from top performers, and coaching emotionally high-maintenance high achievers.Packed with practical scripts, mindset shifts, and real-world examples, this episode is your tactical guide to handling the awkward, political, stressful, and uncomfortable moments that every media sales professional encounters—but few feel equipped to confront.If you’ve ever thought, “How do I deal with this without making it worse?”—this one’s for you.For exclusive content and a chance to pick the topic and guide the show, connect with Jamie on LinkedIn.Edited, Hosted and Produced by Joanne Helder
Nailing Post-Sales Service
The sale might be done, but the real work is just beginning.In this episode of Media Sales Mastery, we’re joined by Taz Papoulias; an experienced agency leader with a background on both publisher and buyer sides of the table; to explore what best-in-class post-sales service really looks like in the media industry.We unpack the behaviours, systems, and habits that separate great sellers from forgettable ones after the deal is done. From setting up flawless execution to protecting campaign performance, this is a tactical guide to what happens after the brief is won.Connect with Taz on LinkedIn.For exclusive content and a chance to pick the topic and guide the show, connect with Jamie on LinkedIn.Edited, Hosted and Produced by Joanne Helder