Emma is one of the best known figures in the UK adtech scene. Her career has featured roles at Microsoft, AOL and Clear Channel before joining Pubmatic in 2014 where she is now Chief Revenue Officer EMEA.
We asked Emma to choose her Digital Hero
Who Is your Digital Hero?
Over the past 20+ years, I’ve been fortunate to work with many digital heroes the most recent being Jo Holdaway, Chief Data & Marketing Officer at Independent Digital News and Media
What have they done to win heroine status in your eyes?
In my eyes, Jo has redefined how a Data Officer can influence and drive a publisher’s commercial strategy. Her ability to understand the landscape and turn data into insights that not only support but shape commercial thinking is second to none.
I particularly love her can-do attitude. She’s never afraid to try new things and push boundaries. When you ask Jo if something will work, her response is usually (and I am para-phrasing) “if we don’t try, we’ll never know”.
How has their heroism helped drive digital?
Jo is a passionate advocate for all things related to digital publishing – far above and beyond her technical remit. She’s been chairperson of the AOP for almost five years, is highly sought after as a speaker at industry events, and most importantly, Jo understands the importance of and is vocal about the need for the industry as a whole to ensure that premium, independent publishers can thrive in a landscape dominated by the walled gardens.
What are the biggest challenges in digital we need another hero to solve?
I would say that today, the most important thing we can all do as digital professionals is to help everyone involved in advertising – from consumer to brand – understand the value and importance of digital advertising. Without this understanding, the internet can’t be open and accessible to all and that would not only be a great shame, it would fundamentally change society – not for the better.
What is your most heroic personal achievement so far in digital?
Still being here and still being relevant 20+ years after first embarking on a career in digital! Whilst that may sound like a tongue in cheek answer, it actually isn’t. The great thing about this industry is the speed of change, the impact of the innovation and the opportunity to continue to learn and to grow. The ability to not only keep up but to drive the industry forward, even if just a little bit, is pretty heroic in my eyes.
Oh, and completing the Moonwalk (https://walkthewalk.org/challenges/the-moonwalk-london) on the coldest night the event has ever seen, is also up there. A word of warning to anyone thinking of taking part in this amazing, life-changing event (and please do if you can) – glitter and sweat are not a match made in heaven!
