Our Industry Profile takes a look at some of the professionals working across the advertising, ad tech, marketing and media sector in Australia. It aims to shed light on the varying roles and companies across the buzzing industry.
Meet this week's industry profile, AppNexus VP diversity, inclusion and community experience Antoinette Hamilton.
Time in current role/time at the company:
Four months.
How would you describe what the company does?
AppNexus is the world's leading independent advertising technology company, connecting premium buyers and sellers of digital advertising.
What do you do day-to- day?
In my day-to- day, I work with people across our company to enable innovation and creativity in our strategy towards diversity, inclusion, and the employee experience.
I spearhead initiatives to promote a diverse and inclusive global community within AppNexus, broaden the range of the company's talent pipeline, and drive thought leadership, employee training, and best corporate practices.
Define your job in one word:
It takes two – “collaborative invention”.
I got into advertising/ad tech/marketing etc because:
I wanted to drive change.
What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role?
Time.
What’s the biggest industry-wide challenge you’d like to see tackled?
Conscious inclusion – conscious inclusion is building the desire, insight, and capacity of people to make decisions and conduct business with the conscious intent of including others (i.e. diversity). The ability to do this well will drive the tech industry forward.
Previous industry related companies you have worked at:
Prior to AppNexus, I was the former assistant VP of diversity & inclusion at L’Oréal USA.
Who is/has been a great mentor to you and why?
Mary Timmons is a former mentor. I was nineteen years old, and she told me, "find a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life". It has set the tone for my career.
Words of advice for someone wanting a job like yours?
There is no better time to work in tech. It’s a constantly-evolving industry that is seeing increased dedication towards diversity in and inclusion of those who work in it.
If I wasn't doing this for a living, I'd be:
Working on an anthropological dig.
My mantra / philosophy is:
Stay focused.
My favourite advert is (and why):
Nike: Serena Williams – Until We All Win.
This is my favourite advert because it breaks down preconceived notions of what it is means to be a woman.
Music and TV streaming habits. What do you subscribe to? (Spotify/Netflix etc)
Spotify & Netflix.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I have travelled to more than thirty five countries.
In five years' time I'll be:
Working on an anthropological dig.
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