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 AppNexus VP diversity, inclusion and community experience Antoinette Hamilton. Today we meet Sizmek platform director Linda Nguyen.
Duration in current role/time at the company:
Four splendid years.
How would you describe what the company does?
To someone who isn’t in the industry: we put ads on the internet.
To someone who is: we’re the largest independent buy-side platform for truly end-to-end campaign management. Need an adserver? We got you. A DSP? We’ve got that too. You want a DMP while you’re at it? What about verification and DCO? There’s nothing we can’t do! I’ll even walk your dog.
What does your role involve?
Spreading the predictive marketing dream and driving adoption of Sizmek’s DSP in Australia and across Asia.
Within the last six months/year, what stands out as the company’s major milestones?
I worked at Rocket Fuel for a number of years so being acquired by Sizmek late last year was a very welcomed shake up. New co-workers, products, things to learn - a very exciting time!
Best thing about the industry you work in:
100%, the people. It’s such a fun and sociable industry and I’ve made a bunch of lifelong friends along the way.
Previous industry related (ad land/ad tech) companies you have worked at.
Fresh out of university I worked at a couple of publishers in ad ops roles. In 2012, I joined Ikon Communications working on their trading desk and reporting into a delightful character named, Phil Cowlishaw. He’s still my favourite person in the world and Ikon was by far one of the best places I’ve worked.
Career-wise, where do you see yourself in three years time?
I’d love to work client-side for a brand I love, solving business problems and driving efficiencies.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I spend more time than I care to admit watching Saturday Night Live clips on YouTube. Why is so much SNL content unavailable in our region though?!
Top networking tip:
Your job doesn’t define you as a person, so don’t jump straight into the work stuff. I’m always keen to find out what someone is passionate about and interested in outside of work (and who doesn’t love talking about themselves!).
My favourite restaurant for a business lunch is:
Lotus Dumpling Bar in Walsh Bay. Great food and cosy little vibe. The banquet is ace but way too much food so I’ve nailed ordering the right mix and amount for four people (four+ is key so you can get some good variety in the dishes).
My favourite advert is:
I’m not really one for sport or gaming but I adore these NFL Madden ads. Weird, funny, big production, and Dave Franco:
2016 full version: https://youtu.be/m_OHn581OuE
2015 full version: https://youtu.be/RJGhwKMax3I
My must-have gadget is:
Bluetooth earphones. I’m currently sporting the Samsung Gear IconX. Such freedom not being attached to your phone or tangled in cords!
My favourite media is:
YouTube. I often find myself falling into a vortex of ‘recommended for you’ content.
My favourite TV show is:
Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. It’s Jerry Seinfeld driving cool cars, drinking coffee and having a yarn. The episodes are also only 15mins, which is a thumbs up from me.
The last book I read:
I’m not huge on books but I do have the Blinkist app – it summarises books to give you the main points (which is great for people like myself who have tiny feeble attention spans) and my last read on there was Marie Kondo’s ‘The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up.’ When you live in a tiny one-bedder in Bondi you’ve got to learn to embrace minimalism…
My mantra / philosophy is:
Healthy body = healthy mind. As cheesy as it sounds I truly do believe it. When my diet and training has been on point I feel unstoppable; more productive, focused and positive.
I got into advertising/ad tech/marketing because:
… advertising helps me make decisions.
If I wasn’t doing this for a living, I’d be:
Desperately trying to become a fitspo social media influencer, accepting payment in the form of activewear and protein balls.
In five years’ time I’ll be:
Still living beachside, proud dog-mum and living at an address that doesn’t have a slash in it.
Define your job in one word.
Solutions!
What’s your poison:
$5 Huberts Happy Hour Shiraz (my favourite happy hour).
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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