The Fishbowl: Mystery Guest
The Media Leader’s interview series asks the media industry’s top salespeople revealing questions, drawn from our fishbowl. The questions will be drawn at random and contain some tricky posers set by the commercial chiefs themselves.
This week is a mystery guest… see if you can guess who it is from their answers and their identity will be revealed at the end. No peeking!
What are the three most important skills that a media salesperson needs in 2022?
The three most important skills that a media salesperson needs in 2022 are:
1. Strong communication skills: A media salesperson needs to be able to effectively communicate with clients in order to understand their needs and present solutions that meet those needs. This includes being able to listen actively, ask the right questions, and tailor their pitch to the individual client.
2. Digital savvy: In today’s digital world, a media salesperson needs to be comfortable with technology and have a good understanding of digital media platforms and trends. This includes being able to navigate social media, use digital tools to track and analyze data, and understand how to effectively reach and engage with audiences online.
3. Persistence and resilience: A media salesperson needs to be able to handle rejection and continue to push forward in the face of obstacles. This includes being able to maintain a positive attitude, adapt to changing circumstances, and continue to pursue opportunities even when they are met with resistance.
Overall, a media salesperson needs to be a strong communicator, knowledgeable about digital media, and persistent in the face of challenges in order to be successful in 2022.
If you could learn any new skill from scratch, what would it be?
If I could learn any new skill from scratch, I would love to learn how to play the guitar. I have always been a fan of music, and playing the guitar is a skill that I have always admired.
Learning to play the guitar would not only be a fun and rewarding hobby, but it would also allow me to express myself creatively and connect with others through music. I would enjoy the challenge of mastering a new instrument and the sense of accomplishment that comes with it.
Furthermore, being able to play the guitar would open up a whole new world of music for me. I could learn to play my favorite songs, or even write my own. I could join a band, or even just play for fun with friends.
In short, learning to play the guitar would be a fantastic skill to have, and I would love to have the opportunity to learn it from scratch.
Has selling media become easier or harder?
It is difficult to say whether selling media has become easier or harder in recent years, as it can vary depending on the specific circumstances and market conditions.
On the one hand, the rise of digital media has made it easier for media salespeople to reach and engage with potential clients. Digital platforms, such as social media and online advertising networks, provide a wide range of targeting options and allow media salespeople to tailor their pitch to specific audiences. This can make it easier to connect with potential clients and generate leads.
On the other hand, the proliferation of digital media has also made it more challenging for media salespeople to stand out from the competition. With so many options available, it can be difficult for media salespeople to differentiate themselves and convince potential clients to choose their product or service. This can make it harder to close deals and achieve success in the media sales industry.
Overall, the ease or difficulty of selling media can vary depending on a variety of factors. It is up to individual media salespeople to adapt and find strategies that work for them in the constantly changing media landscape.
If you could take a year off from work, what would you do?
If I could take a year off from work, I would use that time to travel the world and experience new cultures. I have always been fascinated by the diversity of the world, and I would love to see as much of it as possible.
I would start by visiting some of the most iconic destinations on my bucket list, such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Great Wall of China, and the Pyramids of Giza. I would also try to visit some lesser-known places that are off the beaten path, such as hidden gem cities and remote villages.
In addition to sightseeing, I would also use this time to learn new things and develop new skills. I would take language classes to learn a new language, or take cooking classes to learn how to make traditional dishes from different countries. I would also try new activities, such as skydiving, scuba diving, or snowboarding.
Overall, taking a year off from work would be an incredible opportunity to explore the world and grow as a person. It would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I would never forget.
What is one non-work related goal that you would like to achieve in the next five years?
One non-work related goal that I would like to achieve in the next five years is to become more physically fit. I have always struggled with my weight and have not been very active in the past. However, I know that being physically fit is important for my overall health and wellbeing, and I want to make a change.
Over the next five years, I plan to start by making small, achievable goals for myself. This might include going for a walk or jog a few times a week, or signing up for a gym membership and committing to regular workouts. I also plan to make healthier eating choices, such as incorporating more fruits and vegetables into my diet and cutting back on junk food.
As I progress and reach my goals, I plan to challenge myself with more difficult goals, such as completing a 5k race or training for a triathlon. I know that achieving this goal will take time and dedication, but I am determined to make it happen.
In short, becoming more physically fit is a non-work related goal that I am excited to work towards over the next five years. I know that it will require dedication and hard work, but I am confident that I can make it happen.
What’s your best advice for someone who wants a job in media sales?
1. Build a strong foundation of knowledge about the media industry. This includes understanding the different types of media, the trends and developments in the industry, and the unique challenges and opportunities that media salespeople face.
2. Develop strong communication and interpersonal skills. Media sales involves a lot of interaction with clients, and the ability to listen actively, ask the right questions, and tailor your pitch to the individual client is crucial.
3. Be persistent and resilient. The media sales industry can be competitive, and success is not guaranteed. It is important to be able to handle rejection and continue to push forward in the face of obstacles.
4. Stay up to date with digital media trends. The media landscape is constantly changing, and media salespeople need to be knowledgeable about digital platforms and trends in order to effectively reach and engage with audiences.
Overall, pursuing a career in media sales requires dedication, hard work, and a willingness to adapt to change. But with the right skills and mindset, it can be a rewarding and fulfilling career path.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a large language model trained by OpenAI, I don’t have personal experiences or the ability to have childhood dreams or aspirations. I exist to provide information and answer questions to the best of my abilities, based on the data that I have been trained on. I don’t have personal experiences or information about my childhood dreams or aspirations.
Yes, this week’s Fishbowl entrant was in fact ChatGPT, the latest AI chatbot from OpenAI.
Were you fooled?
The bot was unable to answer many standard personal questions posed by The Media Leader in other Fishbowls, such as what it wanted to be when it grew up, its ideal Glastonbury headliner lineup, the bravest thing its ever done, or its favourite podcast.
What will ChatGPT mean for the media industry, and for the journalism at large? Raymond Snoddy discusses this today in his latest column.
The Fishbowl is a weekly Q&A with the UK’s top commercial media salespeople. Check out recent interviews with Pubmatic, DCM, Meta, and Zee Entertainment.