Shila Lao

Marketing & Content Specialist · Sydney, AU

Marketer.
Maker.
Storyteller.

I design campaigns that speak to people. From lo-fi social content to award-winning product copy, I turn rough ideas into stories worth following. Whether the audience is a C-Suite executive or someone deep in the day-to-day, I make sure it feels made for whoever's in front of it.

View selected work →
Story
3+
Years in social media
13
Months in marketing
100+
Social posts & stories across Meta & LinkedIn
3M
Views & impressions in 12 months
1K+
Follower growth across platforms
1.5K
Standalone webinar recording views
3.5K
Webinar registrations
17
Industry award finalist campaigns led
01

The story
behind the work

I came to marketing via talent acquisition, which means I learned how to understand people before understanding channels. In my role as company recruiter, I made it my business to acquaint myself with each manager's stream, function, and market to find the best talent for their team. Research and observation were my best tools, and they still are.

Recruiting for the marketing team was where I first heard my calling. In searching for over 10 marketing professionals across brand, events, digital, product, and demand generation, I found myself drawn to the craft itself. I began applying principles that would later prove essential. When the opportunity came to join the team as a Partner and Client Engagement Marketing Coordinator, I took it.

In my 13 months in Marketing, I was trusted with end-to-end delivery across event campaigns, partner communications, award submissions, partner product launches, and webinar production. I've written for stages, screens, inboxes, and feeds across multiple workstreams at once.

I write content that sounds like a person wrote it, showing the power of human touch.

"My marketing strategy isn't just about selling a product or service. It's about understanding human behaviour and giving genuine value to the buyer."
02

Selected
work

An overview of projects I'm most proud of, each with the brief, concept, execution, and outcomes.

Content Creation · Ongoing

Lo-fi Social Video — End-to-End Content Production

The goal
Diversify MRI Software's LinkedIn and Meta content mix away from static photo and graphic-first formats, and build a more authentic, human presence on social media through video.
My role
Sole creator across every stage of production — scripting, filming, directing, editing, and publishing. No production team, no agency. End-to-end ownership from concept to live post.
Approach
Lo-fi, social-first production designed to feel native to the platform rather than polished and corporate. Formats include vox pops, walk and talks, talking heads, and fun event promos.
Platforms
LinkedIn and Meta (Instagram and Facebook), with each video tailored to a specific campaign, moment, or message rather than produced for general reuse.
Outcome
Successfully shifted MRI APAC's content mix from static-first to include a consistent video format, contributing to 3M+ views and impressions and 1K+ follower growth across platforms in 12 months.

Event Campaign · 2024 & 2026

MRI Ascend APAC

The goal
In 2024, supported the marketing team in social media to position MRI as employer of choice. In 2026, co-led the communications committee to deliver internal and external campaign content for MRI's flagship user conference at Hilton Sydney, driving ticket registrations and sponsorship.
My role
End-to-end content ownership across all campaign stages and channels for internal and external audiences.
Strategy
Built a multi-stage rollout from super early bird through to conference day communications, keeping urgency, excitement, and energy building at each phase.
Deliverables
EDMs (multiple stages), social copy, internal staff communications, email signature campaign, digital design brief, ticket and program copy including agenda, speaker, and website launch.
Outcome
Owned every content touchpoint from expression of interest through to conference day. Diversified content formats, shifting from fully static assets to include short-form video and GIFs for the first time.

MRI Sponsored Event Campaign · 2025 & 2026

AREC — Gamified Event Activation

The goal
Increase visibility of MRI Software at AREC through digital activations, and support portfolio campaign managers in delivering an outstanding conference presence.
My role
Execution of digital activations and end-to-end social media coverage, including Typeform quiz setup, giveaway facilitation, and full video production.
Strategy
Created a fun, nostalgic game that was engaging for attendees and useful for sales as a pre-qualifying tool. Filmed MRI delegates and solution partners on-site to produce vox-pop style social videos.
Deliverables
Videos, static and video pre-event promotion, on-the-day social coverage, Typeform quiz, designed physical assets (code cards and ticket giveaways), and a vibe-coded number generator integration for high demand.
Outcome
Rated 4 out of 5 stars in post-event internal survey. Generated 150+ leads in 2 days in 2025 and 280+ leads in 2026 from a single activation. Produced evergreen video content for ongoing social use.

Partner Marketing · 2025–2026

MRI Partner Ecosystem — Content at Scale

The goal
Communicate MRI's 200+ partner ecosystem clearly and compellingly across residential, commercial, and occupier audiences evaluating integrations, in a diverse and engaging way.
My role
Copy for partner EDMs, co-led webinar production and coordination, case study review and rebranding, partner logo inclusion across MRI websites, and social media integration promotion.
Strategy
Positioned MRI as the primary platform with each partner as a solid value-add. Created a repeatable content framework that scaled across 200+ partners without feeling templated. Developed a marketing planner to track and execute the schedule.
Key achievements
Developed a limited web series on AML Tranche 2 regulation changes. Created "In the Neighbourhood," a thought leadership social series whose pilot saw 6 competing partners participate in the same conversation.
Outcome
A scalable content framework covering 200+ integrations across digital, social, and webinar platforms.

Awards Strategy · 2025 & 2026

Industry Award Submissions — 16 Entries, 17 Finalists

The goal
Position MRI Software products as industry leaders across the REB Innovation Awards and the PropTech of the Year Awards.
My role
End-to-end submission production: partnering with Product Marketing and Product owners, drafting and finalising scripts, coordinating filming and editing, collecting supporting documents, and managing all finalist and winner communications.
Strategy
Tailored each submission to the judging criteria while maintaining brand voice. Combined information from sales, marketing, and product to build compelling, human-centred impact narratives, with minimal use of LLMs.
Outcome
4 of 5 finalist positions in 2025 with 2 wins. 6 finalists from 5 categories in 2026 REB Innovation Awards. 7 finalist spots from 6 submissions at PropTech of the Year — Evolution was selected by judges to enter a secondary commercial category.
03

Tools &
platforms

Content & Design
  • Canva
  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Final Cut Pro
  • ClipChamp
  • iMovie
  • CapCut
  • Instagram Edits
Marketing & Email
  • HubSpot
  • Mailchimp
  • Typeform
  • LinkedIn Campaign Manager
  • Meta Business Suite
Social & Scheduling
  • LinkedIn (native + analytics)
  • Meta Business Suite
Collaboration
  • Asana
  • SharePoint
  • Jira
  • Microsoft Teams
04

What people
say

Shila has truly embodied what it means to be fearless. She has consistently innovated throughout her journey, with standout examples including the AML web series, the Instagram Partner Stories campaign that has gained strong traction across APAC, and the Impartner-led initiatives that have generated over 200 leads for APLYiD. Shila demonstrates a deep understanding of the partner lifecycle and maintains strong touchpoints across the entire journey. Beyond her impact, Shila shows up every day with positivity and energy and is a genuine joy to work with. I highly endorse Shila as a standout example of fearless execution. Keep up the great work and I'm excited for what promises to be a big year ahead.

Laine Poirier
Partner Connect Product Manager · MRI Software
View LinkedIn profile →

From the moment we started collaborating, it was clear that you bring a level of confidence and self belief that's genuinely rare. It shows not only in how you lead work, but in how others naturally trust and follow your direction. The success you're seeing now is no surprise, it's a direct result of that confidence paired with your capability and drive. Watching you create and lead the viral marketing campaign from start to finish was a great example of this. You backed your ideas, carried them through with clarity and purpose, and delivered something that made a real impact. I have no doubt you'll continue to be successful wherever you go. You bring a presence and assurance that elevates the work and the people around you, and that's something truly special.

Gabriella Zanco
Solutions Architect · MRI Software
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I had the chance to work very closely with Shila in the same marketing team, and she is honestly one of the best people you can have in a team. She is incredibly creative, hardworking, reliable, and always performance-driven, while still being such an easy and collaborative person to work with. No matter the project, you can always count on her to deliver high quality work, stay organised and bring the best ideas to the table. Beyond her skills, Shila is also just a genuinely great teammate. She brings a lot of professionalism, consistency, and positive energy to the people around her, and she always approaches her work with seriousness and dedication.

Fanny Boulet
Former Marketing Executive · MRI Software. Currently Demand Generation Lead · Walk the Dragon
View LinkedIn profile →

Shila has consistently demonstrated exceptional creative thinking, project management, content development and event marketing skills over the past three years. Shila brings a balance of organisation, creativity, and professionalism to everything she does. Her ability to deliver high quality outcomes that have been built with passion has made a genuine impact across teams and projects APAC wide.

Mitchell Cross
APAC Sales Enablement & Internal Development Lead and Employee Resource Group Chair · MRI Software
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My interactions with Shila, while always professional, have genuinely left a lasting impression. They consistently demonstrate qualities that any organisation would value: trustworthy, hardworking and deeply committed to what they do. Having worked across both Workplace Experience and Marketing, I've seen her skills grow and truly shine through. Beyond her capability, she brings a natural warmth to her work. She is engaging, collaborative, and has a way of putting a smile on your face. It's been a pleasure working alongside Shila, and I have no doubt she will continue to make a positive impact wherever the universe takes her.

Randy Cortez
Commercial and Occupier Support and Escalations Manager · MRI Software
View LinkedIn profile →
05

What I
bring

Social Media

Channel-native copy with strong editorial instincts. I write posts that drive engagement without reading like ads, and I understand B2B social tone intuitively.

Campaign Copywriting

EDMs, social copy, event comms, landing pages. I write for the full funnel and across channels, with consistent voice and clear intent at every touchpoint.

Partner & Ecosystem Marketing

Sales enablement, integration kits, co-marketing content. I know how to position third-party value without diluting the primary brand.

Event Marketing

Pre-event, on-the-day, and post-event content. I've run activation concepts, vox pop planning, speaker support, and audience engagement content end-to-end.

Internal Communications

Staff announcements, engagement campaigns, award submissions, thought leadership support. I write for humans first, even when the audience is internal.

06

Where I've
been doing it

May 2025 — Present
Partner Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
MRI Software · APAC
  • Led content strategy and copywriting for MRI Software APAC, designed to raise engagement, client retention, and brand awareness
  • Developed a gamified event activation for AREC, generating 150+ leads in 2025 and 280+ leads in 2026
  • Co-led the communications committee for MRI Ascend APAC 2026, MRI's flagship regional conference
  • Produced 16 award submissions resulting in 17 finalist positions across the REB Innovation Awards and PropTech of the Year Awards in 12 months
  • Strategised and executed contracted deliverables for 200+ partner product integrations across the MRI APAC ecosystem
  • Supported the region's Head of Brand and Ecosystem Engagement with thought leadership initiatives and event marketing
Aug 2022 — May 2025
Talent Acquisition & Workplace Experience
MRI Software · APAC
  • Built and managed end-to-end recruitment across APAC for tech, marketing, sales, and corporate functions
  • Developed employer brand content and candidate communications reflecting MRI's culture and values
  • Designed and delivered workplace experience initiatives — including internal events — supporting team engagement and retention
  • Built deep human insight into what motivates people, formed strong meaningful relationships, and exercised stakeholder management that now fuels every piece of marketing content I create