With the powerful motto, “You never lose in business. Either you win or you learn,” it’s no wonder Lynette Phillips soared to extraordinary heights in the Australian media landscape, ultimately equipping her with the unique skills that have helped her to pave the way in luxury communications.
After a blazing career in the magazine industry spanning 25 years, the former Publishing Director and Women’s Lifestyle Sales Director of ACP Magazines noticed a gap in the rapidly evolving media market.
Phillips launched MAXMEDIALAB – a full-service luxury and premium agency connecting strategy, media, communications, creative and social media professionals.
“Starting my first business was the most daring decision I’ve ever made,” Phillips told The CEO Magazine. “It was done independently. I had no backers and it was a huge risk to do it alone.”
“Leadership to me is about mentoring and supporting people to recognise their full potential.”
Leaving behind the world of magazines (where she launched publications including Harper’s BAZAAR, Shop Til You Drop and Grazia), Phillips made the giant leap into the unknown to work with some of the world’s premium luxury brands including Hermès, Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani, Fenty by Rihanna and Audemars Piguet.
As someone who embraces change and new opportunities, the entrepreneur founded another business in 2013 – just two years after her first. As Australia’s first beauty influencer agency, MAXCONNECTORS has flourished with more than 60 individuals on the books.
Adding to her blossoming empire, Phillips established her third business, MAXINSTITUTE, soon after. The venture has been responsible for creating some of the country’s biggest beauty events, attracting 50 of the nation’s most influential beauty experts and more than 4,000 cosmetic-loving consumers.
Tracking at full speed is something Phillips clearly relishes in, further fuelling her success. “The moment you rest on your laurels, you’re gone,” she says. “You need to keep pushing.”
One of the golden pillars behind the businesswoman’s inspiring success simply comes down to her most valuable assets. “It’s no secret that I credit the success of MAXMEDIALAB to the incredible people working for me,” she says.
“I set out with the ambition to foster an organisation of dynamic, diverse, fearless and socially aware professionals using my experience and learnings to inspire, motivate and influence; creating an environment where they can shine, innovate, push boundaries and excel. It’s always top of mind.
“Leadership to me is about mentoring and supporting people to recognise their full potential.”
And that’s exactly what the luxury powerhouse did when she sat down as one of the inspiring judges for The CEO Magazine’s 2021 Executive of the Year Awards.
“There is no denying that 2020 was really a year like no other,” Phillips shares. “It presented the opportunity to rethink, reset and innovate the way we collectively do business in a digitally accelerated paradigm.
“The awards give us the opportunity to inspire and galvanise Australian businesses, and the leaders that have helped them to navigate this new landscape moving forward. 2021 was the year to celebrate the brave.”
