Faces of Val: Group Sales Manager, Nigel Panagopka.

Meet Nigel Panagopka, our magnetic Melbourne-based Group Sales Manager.

With a can-do attitude and a team-first mindset, Nigel is always up for a challenge, quick to lend a hand and the biggest cheerleader in the room.

Introducing Nigel, 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?

I fell into the media by accident!

While at university, I attended a media careers day where two ladies from Maxus Media Agency were handing out applications for a Media Coordinator role. In short, I applied, interviewed and landed the job. Before I knew it, my media career had begun. 

Over the years, I learned the fundamentals of media and discovered that my passion sat in two areas that don't always go hand in hand: analytics and relationships. I explored both paths and eventually realised that building relationships, solving client challenges and helping businesses grow was what excited me most. That led me to move publisher-side, where I've had the opportunity to work across digital, radio and now cinema. 

My move to Val Morgan Cinema was driven by a combination of factors: the resurgence of cinema, the strength of the product and the outstanding reputation of the people and leaders within the business. 

The best part of my journey at Val Morgan Cinema has undoubtedly been the team. Everyone genuinely wants the best outcome for their clients and that's reflected not only in the work we deliver but also in the way people challenge and push each other internally. There's a real willingness to raise ideas, question the status quo and advocate for what will deliver the best result for clients. That culture of collaboration, accountability and always striving to improve is something I've really enjoyed being a part of. It's also incredibly rewarding selling a product you're genuinely passionate about.


If you could swap lives with any movie star for a day who would it be and why? 

Zendaya. I'd love to know what it's like to be an absolute BOSS, operating at the absolute peak of multiple industries at once. Starring in some of the biggest blockbuster films, leading a hit TV series, setting fashion trends and somehow still owning every Met Gala red carpet. Doing it all with humility and grace.

What is a recent campaign that you loved working on and why?

One recent campaign I really enjoyed working on was our recent integrated campaign for Toyota, which included a partnership with our Drive-In cinemas. 

It was a unique activation that brought together brand storytelling and an immersive cinema environment in a really natural way. There were plenty of moving parts, from aligning timelines to coordinating production touchpoints, but that's what made seeing the final execution so satisfying. The campaign delivered two highly successful activations and overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees.

If your personality were a party mix lolly which one would you be and why?

Cola Sherbet Bottle – energetic, fun and sweet at the core. I try to be the kind of personality that shows up with impact, lifts the room and is everyone’s cheerleader.

Summarise your typical workday using three emojis, and give us the inside scoop on what each one represents.

💯 – Giving 100 in every way. Work hard, push for the best outcome, back my team and never leave an opportunity on the table. 

🎬 – You’ll find me in a cinema every week, embracing cultural moments, staying close to the content and experiencing the magic of the big screen first-hand. 

🤝 – My day is built around connecting people, helping clients solve problems, creating opportunities and making sure everyone wins along the way. 

What does a perfect day off look like to you?

Easy. Sun + a beach club in Mykonos (Scorpios) + deep house music + margaritas.