Our Industry Insights Profile takes a weekly 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.
Previoulsy we spoke to Clemenger Sydney head of account management Madeleine Marsh. Today, we meet challenger telco OVO CEO, Matt Jones.
In case you missed it: SCA zones in on digital sports content, invests $5m in OVO Mobile
Time in current role/time at the company:
Three years
How would you describe what the company does?
Reinventing the traditional telecommunications model with an innovative content platform, OVO Mobile provides data free allowances for the consumption of entertainment and ‘OVO content’ for sports and entertainment fans.
What do you do day-to-day?
Lead a team of awesome people to change the telco and media landscape forever
Define your job in one word:
Evangelise
What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role?
Convincing industry pundits of the vision
What’s the biggest industry-wide challenge you’d like to see tackled?
Convergence of media and telco to create a new category.
Previous industry related companies you have worked at:
Pactera, BearingPoint, Telstra, ABB, AAPT, Optus, Vodafone, American Management Systems
Who is/has been a great mentor to you and why?
Jenn Tejada, she’s an unstoppable powerhouse leader, she never sleeps, she inspires you to break through any perceived constraint. There is no way I would be where I am today without JT’s contribution to my career.
Words of advice for someone wanting a job like yours?
A CEO needs to lead from the front. An inspirational leader is one that your colleagues can relate to and makes the vision of the business they're trying to build infectious. This becomes even more important when you're trying to build not only a new business, but a new category of business and brand.
If I wasn't doing this for a living, I'd be:
Musician
My mantra / philosophy is:
Lead by example
My favourite advert is (and why):
Dollar Shave Club. It's irreverent, communicates the personality of the brand superbly & taps into modern communication style – be honest, be fun, don’t take yourself too seriously, and most of all ENGAGE an audience.
Music and TV streaming habits. What do you subscribe to?
What don’t I subscribe to. I subscribe to everything I can get my hands on, from anywhere in the world I can get it, as we continue to establish OVOPlay's points of difference.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
Once upon a time, in a galaxy far far away, I was a flair barman at Planet Hollywood. The skills I learned in that job were for life.
In five years' time I'll be:
Building our next big thing − because by then, the niche we're hammering out for OVO today will be the norm for broadcasters and telcos. In five year's time, you won't be able to tell the difference between the two.
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
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