CTVisionaries Episode 3: Overcoming Obstacles

CTV continues to demonstrate why it is a key channel in the media mix; with the ability to deliver targeting and personalised content to a growing and engaged audience, it has captured the attention of both agencies and brands seeking to take audience engagement to new heights. Despite the undeniable potential CTV harnesses, certain obstacles are preventing agencies and brands from making the most of this opportunity.  

In our third episode of CTVisionaries, our seasoned professionals tackle these challenges head on, and offer their expert solutions on how these barriers can be conquered to confidently embrace the power of CTV advertising. Watch now! 

Meet our visionaries:

Melinda Clow | Managing Partner, Specialist Activation – OMG UK

Melinda is Managing Partner for Specialist Activation at Omnicom Media Group UK. She is responsible for the best practices and product development of OMG UK’s programmatic offering.

The Specialist Activation team support OMG UK’s agencies and clients with industry-leading approaches using programmatic platforms and technology. This includes curating and gaining access to quality inventory; end-to-end activation for emerging channels; developing brand suitability frameworks; and collaborating with digital partners on product roadmaps to create innovative solutions for advertisers.  

James Collins | Managing Director, Media – Rakuten Advertising

As MD, Media, James works with a global team who are responsible for developing Rakuten Advertising’s media offering – bringing together Rakuten’s unique audiences and maximising the value that Agencies and Brands can achieve by reaching them.

James has championed the use of data in the digital sector over the last decade. Focusing on delivering actionable insights from advertisers’ marketing data, he’s passionate about empowering businesses to use data to better understand their customers, make more effective marketing decisions, and ultimately improve the customer experience.

Sarah Gaudszun | Commercial Director – SpringServe

As Commercial Director, Sarah Gaudszun is managing existing business relationships in EMEA focussing on developing strategic initiatives to grow clients’ advertising businesses and ultimately revenue. In her role, Gaudszun is further driving business development efforts for SpringServe and securing new relationships with media owners within the streaming TV ecosystem, such as broadcasters, OEMs, distributors and FAST streaming services.

With over 12 years of experience in the advertising and tech industry, she previously worked publisher side responsible for Axel Springer’s international digital and programmatic expansion before moving into video and CTV business development roles at both SpotX and Magnite across EMEA.

Julian Savitch-Lee | Commercial Director, Advertising – VIDAA

With over 16 years in digital and programmatic advertising, Julian oversees the global revenue generation from advertising for the Operating System, which is connected to over 30 million devices and 120+ OEM brands, including Hisense and Toshiba brands.

Having joined VIDAA in October 2022 as the first Commercial hire for Advertising at the Hisense-backed OS, Julian’s responsibilities include establishing and executing go-to-market strategy for VIDAA’s display and video placements and managing new and existing partnerships with advertisers, agencies and ad technology vendors.

Prior to joining VIDAA, Julian was the Director of Client Services for Iponweb’s Bidswitch and Rubicon Project, and has multi-year experience in CTV working in product roles at Synamedia’s Iris ad server and Samsung Ads.

Chris Sharp | Co-CEO and Founder – wedoTV 

Chris is the co-CEO and Founder of wedotv, a leading AVOD platform and FAST channel operator. He has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry.

Prior to wedotv, Chris founded one of the main Independent TV Operations in Europe, Zone Media. Zone had Advent International as an investor and sold to Liberty Global and later to AMC Networks International.

Nicola Teague | Head of AV – the7stars

Nicola is the head of AV at the7stars, the UK’s largest independent media agency. She joined the agency in 2017, before that she worked at Target Media and Vizeum.
Nicola’s core responsibilities include delivering best in class AV strategy and delivery for clients, ensuring campaigns are delivering on clients’ objectives in a cost-effective way. Nicola focuses on understanding how clients can capitalise on new opportunities in the market, as well as future proofing their campaigns to maximise returns.