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.
Jeremy Waite, Chief Strategy Officer at IBM, Watson Customer Engagement, is one of the industry’s most in-demand speakers and a force driving digital innovation around the world. He also runs The Ten Words Podcast, focusing on a famous person who has changed their life with a ten-words quote.
Who is your digital hero?
What have they done to win hero status in your eyes?
Anyone who can live in Australia, juggle a family and a dingo, create a funny, compelling (and relevant) column for a UK marketing magazine, while teaching a virtual MBA class and a real class back home (and consult – but NEVER write a book) is a winner in my book.
The one person I look to when I need to sense check my own point of view in brand marketing.
How has their heroism helped drive digital?
He calls out the BS in the industry, exposes flakey self-promotional types and makes sure any argument or confrontation is backed up with credible (mostly) facts and research.
What the biggest challenges in digital we need another hero to solve?
If we could each use our super-powers to expose influencers, self-help gurus, personal brands, digital prophets and futurists, that would be great.
What is your most heroic personal achievement so far in digital?
The fact that despite blagging my way to a decent job with a serious company (by standing on the shoulders of giants and stealing their material), I get to mentor and support the next generation of marketing superstars.
That is a thrill that gets me out of bed each day.
