From User to Advocate: Turning Experience into Leadership
Chris Mawn’s PureSpectrum story didn’t begin in an interview room, it started as a client. “I was a user of the product,” he recalls, “and James Rogers had a great vision for ANZ.” Experiencing the platform firsthand gave him a perspective few new hires bring: he already knew how intuitive it was, how reliable the data could be, and how much value it created for clients.
When the chance came to move from user to advocate, Chris saw it as more than a career shift ,it was an opportunity to build something meaningful in a region primed for growth. Nearly three years later, he has helped shape PureSpectrum’s footprint in Australia and New Zealand, bringing both credibility and momentum to the market.
Chris Mawn
Director of Clients, ANZ at PureSpectrum
Experience as the Edge Clients Remember
For Chris, competitive advantage isn’t found only in features or price points, it’s found in how people experience the journey. “I think experience and servicing is everything,” he emphasizes.
That philosophy has become the cornerstone of how he leads the ANZ client team. Every interaction, no matter how small, is a chance to create trust. “By just having positive and supportive daily interactions with clients and the team, you reinforce trust,” he explains. For Chris, technology provides the backbone, but it’s the human touch, the attentiveness, tone, and follow-through, that clients remember long after the survey ends.
Leading by Example: Showing the Way Forward
Chris often returns to a leadership principle that has shaped his approach: “A leader should show the way rather than just point to it.”
In practice, this means he sees himself as a guide rather than a director. Instead of issuing instructions from the sidelines, he immerses himself in the work, modeling the behaviors he expects, whether it’s jumping into a client challenge, setting a tone of positivity, or demonstrating accountability. This approach not only builds trust but also inspires his team to bring the same energy and integrity to their roles.
“So many principles guide me,” Chris notes, “but this one always stands out. It’s about living the standard you set.”
Navigating a Market in Transition
The ANZ research landscape is in flux, and Chris is candid about the shifts he sees. “Brands are moving to internal insights and smaller, more specialized agencies,” he says.
These shifts can be disruptive, internal teams often bring new expectations for tools, while smaller agencies bring sharper competition. Yet Chris views them as opportunities for PureSpectrum. The platform’s adaptability allows it to serve both worlds: empowering brands to strengthen in-house capabilities and giving niche agencies the scale they need to compete.
His perspective is forward-looking. Rather than resisting change, he focuses on anticipating where the market is going and positioning PureSpectrum as the partner that makes the transition smoother. For him, adaptability isn’t optional, it’s the foundation of growth.
Advice That Endures Through Every Stage
Asked about wisdom that continues to shape him, Chris doesn’t hesitate. “Treat others how you want to be treated yourself,” he says.
It’s a principle that seems simple on the surface but has proven to be timeless. For Chris, it influences how he negotiates, how he manages, and how he builds relationships with clients and colleagues. Respect, empathy, and fairness aren’t just personal values ,they are leadership tools that have guided him through challenges and helped him cultivate long-term partnerships.
Raising the Standard: A Milestone for ANZ
Among his proudest achievements at PureSpectrum, one stands out clearly. “At PureSpectrum, it was probably getting ISO off the ground in ANZ,” Chris shares.
The journey to certification required months of preparation, meticulous attention to detail, and coordination across global and regional teams. For Chris, it wasn’t about ticking a compliance box. It was about demonstrating to clients that PureSpectrum could meet the highest international standards while still delivering the speed and flexibility they had come to expect.
The result was more than a certificate. It was a milestone that elevated PureSpectrum’s reputation in the region and reinforced trust with every client who looked to the company as a partner.
Trading Jobs For A Day
Though Chris thrives in his current role, his curiosity extends well beyond his remit. If he could trade jobs for a day, he knows where he’d go. “I love the marketing and brand side of the business,” he says.
It’s not just an appreciation for creativity; it’s recognition of how marketing shapes perception and fuels growth. For Chris, stepping into that world would mean understanding the company from a new angle, exploring how storytelling and strategy connect with the client experience he champions every day. That curiosity underscores his approach to leadership: always learning, always open to new perspectives.
Beyond the Office: Life Anchored in Family and Fun
While Chris invests deeply in his work, his world is anchored in family. “I have so many things I love doing!” he says. “Hanging with my wife and kids, going on adventures, those are my favorite moments.”
That balance fuels his energy for leadership, keeping him grounded and reminding him why connection matters. And then there’s the detail colleagues might not expect: “I have a significant rubber duck collection,” he reveals with a grin. It’s a playful reminder that even in serious roles, joy has a place, and that personality is as much a part of leadership as performance.