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.
Today we head to Sydney to speak to Innovid country manager ANZ, Adam Natiq.
Duration in current role/time at the company:
Four years at Innovid and 1.5 years as country manager.
In one sentence, how would you describe what the company does?
Innovid is the world’s leading video marketing platform that empowers advertisers to create, deliver, and measure the most innovative video experiences on any device and media outlet.
In one sentence, what does your role involve?
I use all of the incredible features of the Innovid platform to help my clients see around corners.
Within the last six months/year, what stands out as the company’s major milestones?
If I had to narrow them down to just a few (which is tough), I’d say our certification of 25 different connected TV devices to help advertisers reach consumers at scale. GroupM’s MODI Media selected us to specifically address the OTT and connected TV opportunities quickly rising from shifting consumption habits. We’ve also made incredible progress in the social video space, and have partnerships with major social media giants including Facebook, Snapchat, and Twitter.
Best thing about the industry you work in:
We work in a very inclusive and diverse industry and I love that creativity and professionalism can come in many different forms. The only challenge sometimes is getting everyone to play nicely.
Previous industry related (ad land/ad tech) companies you have worked at:
AD2ONE, News Corp.
Career-wise, where do you see yourself in three years time?
I’d like to be the first person people think of when they need help. The rest of my career will write itself.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I can whip up a mean breakfast – steak and a three egg chilli omlette is my speciality.
Top networking tip:
If you can’t help someone get further or make them laugh, then do them a favour and move along.
My favourite restaurant for a business lunch is:
We’re lucky enough to enjoy so many perks in media, but I’ve always thoroughly enjoyed my experiences at Malaya.
My favourite advert is:
Impossible to pick one - I have three : Canal+, Berlitz & Cadbury Gorilla
My must-have gadget is:
My fridge. You were expecting my iPhone? Well I challenge you to take away this noble pillar of food storage and see if you still put your phone as your number one gadget. As a side note, I think we need more inventors and less entrepreneurs in the world.
My favourite media is:
Podcasts and audiobooks because you realise how powerful ‘radio’ can be. Currently listening to Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance.
My favourite TV show is:
Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law.
The last book I read:
I listened to ‘The Challenger Sale’. If you want to get technical, the last actual book I picked up was Shantaram - my favourite book of all time.
My mantra / philosophy is:
The true measure of a person is how they treat someone who can do them absolutely no good.
I got into advertising/ad tech/marketing etc because:
I did a marketing degree and was convinced that I wanted to work at Coke or Microsoft. I fell into advertising, then fell even further into martech. I couldn’t ask for a more enriching journey.
If I wasn't doing this for a living, I'd be:
Building, racing and collecting very fast cars and motorbikes….assuming I wasoutrageously wealthy. If not, then I’d love to create stuff with my hands and sell these items for prices well above what seems reasonable.
In five years' time I'll be:
A better version of the current me, I hope.
Define your job in one word:
Career-defining. I know that’s two words, but I’m sticking with it.
What's your poison:
Anything with an interesting story, but I will usually end up with a G&T.
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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