**Join us at our first-ever podcast meetup in Sydney. Info below**

Today, I'm connecting with Olivia (Liv) Panzic, Head of Marketing Communications at TikTok ANZ. A core part of Liv’s belief system? Look after people. And it shows. Her colleagues and mentors describe her leadership at TikTok as “people-centric,” “human-first,” and “transformative for those around her.” This conversation covers three big themes: creating thumb-stopping content, being brave, and leading from the heart.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why everything is better after a good night’s sleep (thanks, Mum).
• Community as strategy—not just support, but a growth engine.
• How a failed startup led her to TikTok—proof that the algorithm of life sometimes gets it right.
• Her first three years at TikTok ANZ—moving to Sydney, stepping into leadership, and building a marcomms strategy that clicks.
• A reminder that growth is layered: internal, external, and relational.
• Want to break into startups? Ditch the “pick me” mindset—find your match (tips inside).
• Leading inside a global company and bringing local context to celebrate culture drivers.
• Creating space for your team to grow and go viral in their own way.
• Why talking out loud to AI tools like ChatGPT changes the game for storytelling, advertising, and attention. Looking ahead to reaching people through voice.
• Staying humble: “You’re never too big for a small job.”
• Operator shoutout: How Elly Strang and the team at Tracksuit rewrote the playbook on early-stage B2B comms and content. Why their customers say: “Hey, I want this company to win as much as I love their product.”

Connect with Liv:

• Connect With Liv on LinkedIn

Others Mentioned in the Episode:

• Elly Strang at Tracksuit
• Kendall Moses at Uber
• Pip Marlow
• Tony Reid

Huge thanks to Hayley Saddleton and Shani Kugenthiran for the pre-interview chats. You're so right. Liv. Is. Magic.

📆  JOIN US: Calling Operator x Notion coffee | Apr 29, 10am

Some of the best conversations happen off-mic. ​That’s why I’ve teamed up with Notion to bring the Calling Operator community together in Sydney.

The deets:
🌞 First-ever pod meetup in our most-listened city >> Sydney
🌞 Tues, Apr 29 at 10am (Surry Hills location) 
🌞 Past podcast guests are coming—swap stories, ask questions
🌞 RSVP here

A note from your host, Laura:

My goal for Calling Operator is to open-source stories from startup operators across various functional areas and learn how they excel at building and scaling companies. As a Chief of Staff, I often find myself in (virtual) rooms with people facing similar challenges and reinventing the wheel. I want this podcast to open a line for operators across Australia and New Zealand to learn from fellow operators. Each episode shares personal stories, the execution behind big ideas, career-defining moments, successes, failures, and lessons.

Guest ideas?

Do you have an operator on speed dial who could be perfect for the show? Please share your suggestions with me via LinkedIn.
 

Never miss an episode:

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