In this series, AdNews spotlights young talent in the Australian media, marketing and advertising sector. This time it's Adfixus head of solutions engineering Vishal Repaka.
Time in current role/time at the company:
I have been working in my current role at AdFixus for one-and-a-half years after spending two years as an agency partner working closely with the company.
How long have you been in the industry?
I have been in the industry for eight years, and my passion grows yearly. I can't see myself anywhere else.
How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward." - Steve Jobs.
Ten years ago, I would have told you I would be a software engineer in Silicon Valley and spearhead the "next tech unicorn", but that guy didn't know what he wanted; he just really loved technology.
My journey to now has been a series of unexpected events. After a careers expo in high school, I was drawn towards an IT Co-op degree at university. This led to an internship at a company under a director who wanted to pay my degree forward, and I unwittingly joined one of Australia's premiere MarTech agencies.
I fell into our industry by accident and the work I get to do as a technologist has made it impossible to see myself anywhere else. Steve was right; I couldn't have told you that ten years ago.
Who is your right-hand person/who guides you day to day?
I have two people—a right-hand person and a left-hand person (lucky me!): Roland Irwin, our head of sales, and Marko Markovic, our CEO, who provides me with sales and tech advice every day.
What's the best thing about the industry you work in?
The ability to truly positively impact people & businesses.
And the biggest challenge?
Staying patient and taking one step at a time. Working in such an expansive, exciting space means there is always more to do and learn.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
Mr. Amandeep Singh Gill (the United Nations Secretary General's Envoy on Technology), I aspire to be a global technology advisor. My role would be to think deeply about the pros and cons of emerging technologies, analyse their impact on society, and provide guidance on adoption while mitigating risks.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
I get a lot of my insight and inspiration from the trends emerging in my industry and beyond. I have created my own automation that updates me weekly so that I always have my finger on the pulse.
Tell us one thing people at work don't know about you?
Nice try. If I told you that, they would all know!
In five years time, I'll be:
Leading a global team for AdFixus from overseas….and by overseas, I mean New York.
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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