Interviews, insight & analysis on digital media & marketing

My Digital Hero: Jamie West, Deputy MD at Sky Media

The digital industry’s not really about technology, it’s about people. The digital economy is supported by technology but is conceived, created and developed by people, the heroes of digital.

But who are their heroes? Who inspired, supported and taught them along their journey and to become digital heroes?

We want to find out. So, we’re asking some of our industry’s leading figures to nominate their digital hero and to explain what’s so special about them.

Jamie West, Deputy MD at Sky Media, has been a key figure in the TV industry’s digital revolution. The driving force behind the hugely successful Sky AdSmart, Jamie previously worked at media companies including NBC Universal, Channel 5 and Viacom Brand Solutions.

Who is your digital hero? 

At Sky I have had the privilege to work with a number of Digital Heroes.

We have invested in two companies in the adtech space so I salute Mike Baker, Bill Simmons and Sandro Cantanzaro, the founders of Dataxu, and Dan Greenberg and Rob Fan founders of Sharethrough

What have they done to win hero status in your eyes?

As a board observer I see the courage, conviction, bravery and the loyalty they show to their teams, companies and investors.

Which is all just amazing!

What are the biggest challenges in digital we need another hero to solve?

In reality, the challenges are not new.

Lack of transparency in the ecosystem allowing bad practice and identity in a world of walled gardens and platforms overlaid with regulation  are the ever-present challenges.

What is your most heroic personal achievement so far in digital?

No heroics from me …. Just the privilege and luck of working with great people and great companies.