If you’ve ever come across Holly Clingan, you would know the absolute powerhouse she is.
Behind every business event, Holly has pulled every element together without breaking a sweat. Problem solver, innovator and one of the hardest working employees here at Paramount. (Not to mention, she’s never met a mark she couldn’t get rid of with her personal supply of baby wipes.)
Her most recent success was managing the Paramount suite at the 2023 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix that saw 600 people attend across the four days.
Holly sat down with The Water Cooler over a glass of 2012 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut and some freshly shucked Sydney Rock Oysters to tell us all about it.
What is your role and what does it entail?
As Event Executive, I help produce our marquee events which allow us to showcase Paramount to our much-valued Sales clients, advertising agencies, sponsors, trade media and production partners.
What do you love most about working at Paramount?
I love that my role enables me to work closely with several different departments across all our offices, I’ve been able to develop great friendships which makes working the (sometimes frenzied) weeks in the lead up to events that much easier. Some of the best laughs and memorable times I’ve had have been with friends that I have made at Paramount. One other element I love about my role is being able to witness our guests being taken aback by what we have on offer, we had countless people at the recent F1 become so emotional about their experience in our suite (the proximity and access to the pit lane and cars is 100% the reason which I take zero credit for) but it is genuinely moving to see how much everyone appreciates their time being hosted by Paramount. We also had several charity winners attend and to see how much they enjoyed themselves was such a brilliant moment and makes all the (organised!) chaos in the lead up worth it.
Tell us about your career journey so far. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always loved creating events and memorable occasions, in what feels like a former life I used to work in a five star hotel and through that role I was able to work on some of the most extravagant private events you could ever imagine (one Bat mitzvah even had an indoor ice skating rink installed in the ballroom) and I feel like that set me up well for my current role in events. My time at Paramount started when Daniel Monaghan famously head hunted me from the living room of the house we shared…I’m mentioning this due to our house parties being stuff of legend and also for the fact Daniel would demand a retraction if I failed to give him credit for my start at Paramount! When I started here as Beverley’s Executive Assistant, I was able to gain an insight into all areas of the business which was absolutely invaluable. I would always volunteer any of spare time helping with staff events and I believe my clear passion for delivering events led to my current role, where I work closely with the one and only Rod Prosser.
You were an integral part of the Paramount Suite at Formula 1, the steering wheel if you will. It’s an enormous task to take on, where do you start with the planning process and what’s the biggest challenges?
Steering wheel! Ha – love that! The Formula 1 is such a prestigious sport, and we are so lucky we are able to host our external partners at such a premium world class event. The planning process begins by meeting with all the key stakeholders within Paramount to outline the experience we wish to create for our guests and then I go about sourcing an enviable pit crew of incredible vendors to help bring that vision to life. The biggest challenges that are presented along the way are always due to the sheer scale of the event – come race days it is as though a small city has been set up in Albert Park so due to the nature of it all being purpose built with so many moving parts unexpected issues always arise along the way. Also, it may sound simple, but the suite tickets are still physical (no quick flick of an email with e-tickets) and therefore we find ourselves in the oddest situations to ensure that over 500 tickets get out to people safely…this year even had me sliding tickets through a guest’s open windows at their home like a total creep!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
“Truth is strength”. Embarrassingly, this was actually my high school motto and like every teenager I never really thought anything of it at the time but over the years I really do feel the message is powerful. If you conduct yourself and live your life truthfully you will gain strength as no one can question your integrity. Also, a much loved and missed Uncle of mine would always say ‘We’re here for a good time, not a long time’ and given how fast the weeks go by (how is it nearly May?) this resonates more and more with me as each year passes.
Where would we find you on the weekend?
Taking my two little boys down to Balmoral either for them to swim, run about on the beach or to terrorise people on their scooters. Taronga is another fave, but I feel the animals are actually getting sick of seeing us, I swear the gorilla rolled his eyes at me last weekend. Turning up unannounced to either of my siblings’ houses with zero warning is also a speciality of mine, as is a long lunch or dinner with friends.
