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.
Ben Carter started his career in digital as a journalist at seminal publication New Media Age. He moved into marketing in 2006 and never looked back, heading up digital marketing at Setanta. Betfair and Notonthehighstreet. In 2016 he was appointed UK marketing director at Just Eat.
Who is your digital hero?
Alex Miller, the co-founder of Byte London
Alex is one of the good guys of the industry but his relaxed and friendly demeanour belies a driven, ambitious attitude determined to push media, technology and creative boundaries.
So, what is Alex’s secret? He doesn’t take no for an answer, he pushes beyond the status quo and is focused on using marketing tech and social platforms to solve business problems.
How has their heroism helped drive digital?
Disclaimer Byte are our social agency at Just Eat but this isn’t about Byte; this is about Alex. Together with Jamie, his co-founder, he has already set up and sold one very successful social agency, Jam, and is well on his way to establishing Byte as the agency to watch in London.
Only today Byte was named as one of the fastest growing businesses in the UK by the FT.
Alex is a digital veteran having cut his teeth at i-level before setting up Jam so fair to say he’s been around a bit and when it comes to digital there isn’t much he doesn’t know!
I’ve worked with many agencies and count many agency people as close friends, but his determination and can-do attitude is right up there and it’s fair to say he is inspiring the next generation of digital founders.
What the biggest challenges in digital we need another hero to solve?
Digital obviously faces many issues and challenges. However, we recognise the important role we play as a leader in our sector and are committed to a responsible approach to brand safety and the transparency of just where our advertising is appearing. The platforms are getting better here but there’s so much more to do.
What is your most heroic personal achievement so far in digital?
I’ve got digital to thank for my career so far. Serendipitously my career has tracked the evolution and growth of the internet from the days covering it as a trade journalist on New Media Age right through to leading and running the marketing of some of the UK’s most disruptive digital brands.
I can quite honestly say my career would have taken a very different path had it not of been for the internet….and all things digital.
