Our Industry 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.
Today we speak to Rubicon Project country manager, Simone Krakowiak.
Duration in current role/time at the company:
Two months.
In one sentence, how would you describe what the company does?
Rubicon Project offers both buyers and sellers a comprehensive solution to manage the entirety of their digital advertising business.
In one sentence, what does your role involve?
I’m Rubicon Project’s commercial lead for Australia and New Zealand, which involves working with both sellers and buyers to bring new automation opportunities to this market.
Within the last six months/year, what stands out as the company’s major milestones?
Over the last 12 months we’ve been really focused on video which is surging for our business. In Q3 alone, we increased our number of video accounts from 187 to 279, a 50% lift overall. We continue to deliver rapid growth in video, driven by deeper engagement with a growing number of high quality buyers and sellers on our marketplace and our support of all major video ad-units.
What’s really exciting is how we’re innovating with the automation of different forms of media – for example, we launched our audio offering globally with Spotify, which has been really well received by the local market and in the US we’re doing great things in the programmatic TV sector, having recently partnered with Placemedia, as well as AdMore earlier this year.
Best thing about the industry you work in:
The people.
Previous industry related (ad land/ad tech) companies you have worked at:
Vdopia, Big Mobile, Sensis MediaSmart.
Career-wise, where do you see yourself in three years time?
Being only two months into this role, I’d like to be exactly where I am right now, but with some great experience and serious wins under my belt for Rubicon Project ANZ.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I’m an art school drop-out. I lasted two months and then took the rest of the year off before enrolling at University of Technology Sydney to do a business degree.
Top networking tip:
Be genuine and present in the way that you engage with others as it helps pave the way for valuable and lasting relationships.
My favourite restaurant for a business lunch is:
It’s hard to pick a favourite, but I quite like The Butler in Potts Point. It’s great during the summer with the big terrace that looks out over the city.
My favourite advert is:
Something old from 2008. I think Sony have done some great TVCs more recently, but I remember loving this particular retro ad featuring giant tomatoes when it came out because it was so different.
Something new
There was this Ben & Jerrys ‘sweet fudge all’ ad I heard on Spotify earlier in the year and it had such a lame dad joke in it that cracked me up every time – loved it!
My must-have gadget is:
Predictably, it’s my phone.
My favourite media is:
Mobile.
My favourite TV show is:
Californication.
The last book I read:
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
My mantra / philosophy is:
Give everything a go.
I got into advertising/ad tech/marketing etc because:
I majored in advertising at UTS, but really thought I was going to be a creative. I got my first job in ad sales and have never looked back.
If I wasn't doing this for a living, I'd be:
I haven’t decided yet, there are too many options to choose from! I suppose that means I’m pretty happy doing what I’m doing.
In five years' time I'll be:
With the speed at which this industry changes direction, that’s too far away to predict.
Define your job in one word:
Automation
What's your poison:
Gin and soda with lime.
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