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 head to Sydney to speak to AppNexus VP sales Asia-Pacific at AppNexus, Dave Osborn.
Duration in current role/time at the company:
It’ll be five years with AppNexus this coming July. I’ve been in Sydney since January 2014.
How would you describe what the company does?
AppNexus is a technology company that provides trading solutions and powers marketplaces for internet advertising. In another sentence, we’re on a mission to build a better internet.
Within the last six months/year, what stands out as the company’s major milestones?
We’ve been shipping product and expanding globally at a pretty amazing clip, but I’m most excited about our acquisition of Yieldex and the launch of the AppNexus Publisher Ad Server. The excitement we feel locally and globally from publishers is really encouraging.
Best thing about the industry you work in:
The stakes. Everyone in this industry has a front-row seat to the most disruptive and transformative period in the history of media and advertising. I consider AppNexus to be one of a few privileged companies that have the opportunity to influence how this all plays out.
Previous industry related companies where you have worked:
I worked at Nielsen in product and client leadership roles for a bunch of years before moving to AppNexus.
Career-wise where do you see yourself in three years time?
I won’t even try to answer that question. Three years ago I had no idea I’d be in Australia, and three years before that, I had no idea I’d be at AppNexus.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I was shipped off to boarding school when I was 15. My teenage years weren’t my best. Oh, and I like country music.
Top networking tip:
A beer helps.
My favourite restaurant for a business lunch is:
Palings.
My favourite advert is:
Fed Ex' 'Stolen Idea'.
My must-have gadget is:
My Amazon Kindle.
My favourite media is:
A newspaper. The tactile experience of the couch, a cup of coffee, and a Sunday paper is pretty unbeatable.
My favourite TV show is:
House of Cards.
The last book I read:
Rogue Lawyer.
My mantra / philosophy is:
Meet new people, learn new things, and have fun.
I got into advertising/ad tech/marketing etc because:
My first job out of university in the late 90s was with an online advertising research startup called AdRelevance. I took that job honestly because the company seemed cool and it was a real salary. In 2011, coming to AppNexus was an opportunity to live that mantra above all and to be part of something really memorable.
If I wasn't doing this for a living, I'd be:
On the water. Anywhere.
In five years' time I'll be:
Well into my 40s.
Define your job in one word:
Strategic.
What's your poison:
India Pale Ale.
What’s the elephant in the room?
Google.
Fancy taking part in our Industry Profile, or want to nominate someone? Email adnews@yaffa.com.au
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