In this series, AdNews takes a look at some of the professionals working across the advertising, adtech, marketing and media sector in Australia. This time it's Channel Factory managing director of Australia James Rose.
Time in current role/time at the company:
Two and a half years.
How would you describe what the company does?
Channel Factory is an independent global AdTech company that specialises in maximising brand suitability and contextual alignment for advertisers. We leverage advanced AI technology to categorise and curate content, ensuring that ads appear alongside the most relevant and suitable content, driving better outcomes. Our mission is to transform the media landscape by amplifying positivity and inclusivity, while eliminating negativity and discrimination
What do you do on a day-to-day basis?
My day-to-day involves overseeing the strategic direction of Channel Factory in Australia, ensuring that our sales teams are aligned with company goals, and that we continue to deliver exceptional results for our clients. I spend a lot of time engaging with key stakeholders, both internally and externally, to drive growth and innovation. This includes everything from team management and client meetings to strategic planning.
Define your job in one word:
Dynamic.
I got into the media industry because:
It’s less common to simply fall into our industry than it once was but that is what I did. Whilst at university I was a co-founder of one of the first Aussie Rules fan websites, simply because we didn’t rate the official one at the time. From there a strange series of events played out over a 5 year period and next thing I knew I was setting up PMPs for an ad network between games of table tennis.
What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role?
Balance, whether that be time in each market, time spent internally vs externally or something else, I’m always trying to make sure the balance is right, or at least close to it.
What’s the biggest industry-wide challenge you’d like to see tackled
Our industry, more than most, reflects and impacts broader society. With that in mind the biggest industry-wide challenge we face is the polarisation that mirrors society.
Polarisation stalls progress in society as well as in media and advertising. We believe that the efforts to improve brand safety, suitability, and responsible media are crucial to improving the media ecosystem however it can be so easily derailed by political and ideological conflicts, turning what should be collaboration into a battleground.
If we can approach these issues without self-interest or bias (and obviously we have a biased view ourselves), we can create a more positive and inclusive media environment that benefits everyone - brands, consumers, and society as a whole.
Who has been a great mentor to you and why?
I’ve been lucky enough to have a few over the journey- although it is only in hindsight I recognise the relationship for what it was. One who was really influential for me was Rob Fletcher from Stack Sports, his ability to listen and help me arrive at my own conclusions rather than give me all the answers has been incredibly valuable.
Words of advice for someone wanting a job like yours?
I’ve not been in my current role (just over a year) long enough to feel qualified to hand out unsolicited advice.
I can for those early in their media careers though and to them I would say your career success reflects a combination of ‘knowing your shit’ and being a good person. This industry will forgive people who need to work on the first aspect but never forgets people who fall short of the second aspect so be a good person and take accountability for improving your own knowledge.
If I wasn't doing this for a living, I'd be:
I’d like to say fishing but probably working in software.
My mantra is:
Disagree and commit.
My favourite advert is (and why):
I wish I had a more meaningful answer but honestly I’m a sucker for any talking animal or object in ads. The M&M’s “You get in the bowl” ad is an all time favourite of mine.
Music and TV streaming habits: what do you subscribe to?
Basically everything except YouTube premium (because we all love ads on YouTube).
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I’m an oversharer so there isn’t a huge amount but I’ll share the one people are often most surprised by. I was a child model and actor.
In five years' time I'll be:
Finding more time to go fishing with my wife around Australia.
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