Faces of Val: Senior Account Manager, Dave Stockton.
Meet Dave Stockton, our sunny Senior Account Manager from Auckland.
Easygoing and outdoorsy, Dave brings laid-back charm and good vibes wherever he goes. A true surf lover and one of the nicest guys in media, he’s the kind of person everyone loves to work with.
Introducing Dave, one of the many faces of Val…
Alright, spill the tea: How did you find yourself in the advertising industry, and what’s been the best part of your journey at Val Morgan Cinema so far?
It’s funny, even eight and a half years in, I never planned for a career in advertising. I studied Industrial Design at university, which led me into market research. One of my key clients was TVNZ, and that became my entry point into the media world. I joined their campaign operations team to get a solid grounding of the industry, then went on to work at NZME, Blis and Spark Sport before landing at Val Morgan Cinema.
The best part is easily the content. Getting to work with films that people are genuinely excited to see makes the job pretty special. Taking a new slate to market is always a client favourite because that shared passion for cinema connects with everyone in the room.
If your work life had its own soundtrack, what three songs would play on repeat?
My team could probably answer this for me. Most days, when I need to lock in and get things done, I’ll have some form of house music on the office speakers. It’s usually jazzy French house or some deep German house. Anything with a solid beat to power through the to-do list. The running joke is that at some point in the afternoon, someone will pipe up with "Dave, can we please play something with words!"
Midday recharge: Would you prefer a power nap in a cozy office hammock or a brisk stroll to explore the best local lunch spots? How does your ideal lunch break reflect your approach to work-life balance?
I am very much an outdoors person and need to stretch my legs and get fresh air at lunch. My team know this and we’ll regularly go out for walks around the Viaduct. We're super lucky that our office is based right across from the marina, it’s a perfect way to recharge and get some vitamin D.
If your work ethic were a culinary creation, would it be a bold spicy curry, a comforting bowl of soup, or a zesty fruit salad? How does this dish mirror your approach to work?
I’d say Japanese fried chicken. Always delivered fresh and fast, with a bit of heat when needed. I’m in direct and indie sales, so you’ve got to hustle, think fast and bring a bit of creativity to every brief. The job is to bring the energy, deliver impact and consistently surprise clients with quality and speed.
If your morning routine were an Olympic sport, what would your gold medal event be, and how would you describe your winning strategy?
The event would be The Pre-8AM Idea Lap. My winning strategy is a walk and coffee, the most elite combo there is. A strong long black in hand (usually triple shot) and a quick lap around the block gets my brain firing with ideas. By the time I sit down at my desk, I’m ready to go.
If your Teams background had a mind of its own, what whimsical scene or surreal landscape would it choose during your next virtual meeting?
Easy, somewhere warm with perfect surf. Probably Mexico, Indonesia or Fiji. A job in sales requires constant hustle and a focus on hitting goals, so a snap of a tropical surf destination is a good reminder of hard work paying off.