Cover image courtesy of Ziba Creative
In today's instalment of 2022 Rapid Round, we feature a quick-fire round with Jasmine Robertson who is the managing director of Ziba Creative.
TDN AusNZ: What is your background with horses and particularly the thoroughbred?
Jasmine Robertson: I was always one of those horse obsessed little girls, and once my parents accepted that it wasn't 'just a phase', they bought me a horse for my eighth birthday. He was a thoroughbred gelding with a heart of gold, and whether or not I realised it at the time, my love for the great breed was ignited.
I was also fortunate enough to go to an equestrian boarding school where I showjumped and evented competitively through my teenage years.
TDN AusNZ: What was your first job in the thoroughbred industry?
JR: While I was at university, my sister told me about a part-time job she saw advertised at Wellfield Lodge. I worked there for three years and spent my nights in the foaling unit, summers in the yearling yard and the ‘off season’ working with/riding breakers.
Jasmine Robertson and Farnan | Image courtesy of Ziba Creative
TDN AusNZ: What pathways led you to become Managing Director of Ziba Creative?
JR: I'm very passionate about mares and foals, so, in the early days, I actually had my heart set on being a broodmare manager.
By chance, I took a marketing paper while studying Equine Science, and it opened my eyes to a whole new realm of possibilities. So, although at the time I had no idea where it would lead me, I decided to do a post-grad in Business and Marketing.
I was doing the sales circuit in Australia, and a good friend (Tanita Vella) was working for Inglis. I was really keen to get a job there and remember Jonathan D'Arcy taking time out of his busy day to come and talk to me about future opportunities in the industry.
Months later, a job came up while I was working and travelling in Europe - I got it and was on the next flight to Sydney!
After living in the city for a couple of years, I moved back to New Zealand, where I worked for Waikato Stud, Mapperley Stud and Lime Country Thoroughbreds before starting Ziba Creative in 2019.
TDN AusNZ: Can you describe a normal day?
JR: Busy! The biggest challenge of running an ‘agency’ business model means that you’re always simultaneously working on projects, so organisation and planning are essential.
My day includes anything from marketing strategy, campaign creation, social media, filming, graphic design, video editing and everything in-between.
TDN AusNZ: What is a part of your job people wouldn’t expect?
JR: Marketing involves A LOT of writing.
Ziba Creative Karaka team | Image courtesy of Ziba Creative
TDN AusNZ: What advice would you give to an aspiring person wanting to work in thoroughbred marketing?
JR: Work in as many facets of the industry as you can. Having done this myself, it's hands down the best thing you will ever do to gain a comprehensive understanding of the people you're going to market to.
TDN AusNZ: What are you passionate about within the industry?
JR: I adore every part of the industry but I’m most passionate about the breeding side of things.
TDN AusNZ: Who is your favourite horse you have worked with?
JR: Aside from getting to work with the horses I have bred and sold (they will always be my favourites!), I loved Kirramosa. I prepped her as a yearling in New Zealand and got to watch her work at Sarge’s when I was living in Sydney - a memory I will always cherish.
TDN AusNZ: If you could be one person in the industry for a day, who would that be and why?
JR: It would be Steve Davis for me. His quick-witted humour and ability to squeeze out a few more bids is nothing short of brilliant.
Steve Davis | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
TDN AusNZ: Do you have a bucket list of industry events you would like to tick off?
JR: Definitely - the Arc, Kentucky Derby and Royal Ascot are all at the top of the list.
TDN AusNZ: What kept you occupied during last year’s lockdowns, aside from work?
JR: Exercising and a healthy dose of wine-fuelled Zoom sessions with friends.
