Michael Isaacs-Olaye is VP of Sales & Partnerships / MD UK, Happydemics. In a career spanning over 15 years, he previously held roles at companies including Integral Ad Science, Outbrain and Magnite.
Who is your digital hero?
Everyone usually picks Steve Wing and he’d be right up there for me so I’ll mix it up and say Jim Egan SVP Business Development at IAS. (Sorry Chance Johnson – CCO at Nexxen).
What has he done to win hero status in your eyes?
He’s a human first who cares for the people around him as well as being a phenomenal Business Developer who leads from the front.
I’m pretty convinced there’s a general consensus that at every Cannes Lions, he’s the single busiest person. When your manager is based across the Atlantic as are the rest of your team, it can be easy to feel isolated but Jim always ensured that wasn’t the case with me.
He always checked in and made time to be available. Watching him in action when talking to clients and partners was a humbling experience in how to make someone feel heard, how to prepare for a meeting and how to follow up. Lessons I’ll take with me.
How has his heroism helped drive digital?
IAS is connected to the entire adtech ecosystem and as someone who has worked in publisher development, agency sales and now platform partnership, he’s pushed IAS forwards across the board.
He knows everyone and everyone loves him.
What are the biggest challenges in digital we need another hero to solve?
Diversity for me is still an important issue to tackle.
And I mean Diversity across the board.
Looking back 10 years ago as I was still coming up, there weren’t many people in leadership positions that looked like me. I know the importance of being able to identify with someone and understand that a path to success exists for everyone. I don’t pretend to have all of the answers but I want to feel that my thoughts are valid and heard.
That would be step one to trying to fix it.
What is your most heroic achievement in digital to date?
I commend myself for my ability to challenge myself to do things that make me uncomfortable to start but that I know can or will be beneficial for my career.
As an example, public speaking. The first time I was approached to do this I was excited but filled with fear and nervousness. I knew how beneficial that public exposure was for myself and the company but there was an assumption that by being quite extroverted I would take to public speaking with ease. That wasn’t the case.
My heart was beating out of my chest and I thought I was going to faint. I started off by telling a small joke, got a few giggles and I realised it wasn’t that bad. I knew what I was talking about and I was going to showcase that. This feeling of fear stuck with me through at least the next 5 times on stage but I’ve continued to put myself forward until it becomes more of a second nature.
That hasn’t arrived yet but but hopefully one day. I’ve refined how I present on stage to more of a story teller so that I can engage with the audience and so that hopefully the story resonates. I’m proud of myself in how far I’ve come and would say to anyone who wants to listen to continue to challenge yourself.
If you prepare well and can back yourself, then the fear associated with that will dissipate over time and you can really shine.
