Industry Profile: Match Media chief strategy officer, Ian Czencz

Pippa Chambers
By Pippa Chambers | 29 September 2016
 
Ian Czencz

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. Last week we spoke to Mamamia MD Kylie Rogers.

Today we head to Sydney to speak to Match Media chief strategy officer, Ian Czencz.

Duration in current role/time at the company:

Nine years.

In one sentence, how would you describe what the company does?

We help our clients grow, by creating work that works.

In one sentence, what does your role involve?

Convincing the trading team that Strategy is not just about creating charts with “upside-down triangles”.

Within the last six months/year, what stands out as the company’s major milestones?

Maintaining Match’s independent spirit in light of the Publicis acquisition. That applies to Match’s culture as much as it does our approach to work with clients.

Best thing about the industry you work in:

Variety. You rarely have the same day twice. (If you do, you’re probably doing it wrong).

Previous industry related (ad land/ad tech) companies you have worked at:

The Media Palace & bellamyhayden.

Career-wise, where do you see yourself in three years time?

At opening night of my debut musical. It’ll be a gritty look behind the scenes of judging at some of the industry’s award programs. It will be titled: “I had that idea years ago!”

What is the elephant in the room? The thing that no one is talking about – but they should be.

How much Darren Woolley looks like the late, great Alan Rickman. I never did see them in the same room together.

darren woolley alan rickman

Well, that and computers move from deterministic to probabilistic application in advertising. That is to say, computers AI ability to think more like us. I’m not sure if it is scarier for the jobs of many in analytics of those in creative fields. Possibly both.

Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?

I can recite Banjo Patterson’s “The Man From Ironbark” in its entirety (it’s bloody long). Most importantly I can recite it with perfect diction and theatrical flair. My mother felt I mumbled as a child so it’s a throwback to my elocution lessons when I was young.

Top networking tip:

Treat your IT team well. They can be your best friend when the network goes down. (Shout out to you Kamahl)

My favourite restaurant for a business lunch is:

Longrain. As much for the memories as the food. It never disappoints.

My favourite advert is:

The three minute trailer put out by Channel 4 for the 2016 Rio Paralympics, “We’re The Superhumans”. It is jaw-droppingly inspirational.

My must-have gadget is:

My phone. More for its function as a ‘photo album’ than as a phone.

My favourite media is:

…as effective as it is efficient.

My favourite TV show is:

Gogglebox Australia. It can be as trivial as it is poignant with regards to the content it shows and the reactions it captures.

The last book I read:

Catch-22. I read it every year.

My mantra / philosophy is:

Family first.

I got into advertising/ad tech/marketing etc because:

Barbara Riordan was brave enough to give me my first job. It was the only interview I was asked for my star sign. Thanks Babs.

If I wasn't doing this for a living, I'd be:

Playing “Paul McCartney” in a professional Beatles tribute band. I’m left handed so, you know, it just makes sense.

In five years' time I'll be:

Five years older. I can only hope I’ll be five years wiser.

Define your job in one word:

Polymorphic.

What's your poison:

Scotch. Preferably from Islay.

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