Onboard the new COO
A Seasoned Software Veteran Takes on Media Operations
A life-long veteran of enterprise software has made a surprising move into the media and entertainment (M&E) industry, taking on the role of a Chief Operating Officer (COO) at OpenDrives in 2018. This individual finds satisfaction in working with customers to shape the industry, and believes that gaining exposure to every operational nook and cranny is essential for the role of a COO.
Prior to joining OpenDrives, the individual had not worked in the M&E industry. However, they bring a wealth of experience from their 30 years in the software sector, which they are now applying to create operational efficiencies and improve creative output in the M&E industry.
The individual's work is heavily influenced by customer feedback and the evolving, unique nature of their workflows. They spend mornings identifying the status of major initiatives and addressing blockers, and attend operational meetings throughout the day to understand tactical activities.
The individual enjoys working in the M&E industry due to the highly creative people and the value they place on technology. They collaborate with senior leaders to develop workarounds or organizational fixes, and advise trying new roles and understanding different functional areas of the company to gain a comprehensive understanding of the business.
The individual's three degrees in communications-oriented fields have served them well in this new industry, enabling them to communicate effectively with both internal teams and customers. They are responsible for ensuring smooth operation of corporate initiatives within the company, and that tactical activities support the corporate strategy and goals.
In the media industry, a corporate operations role typically progresses from entry-level or specialist positions to more strategic and managerial roles. To excel, professionals need a mix of strategic thinking, organizational skills, strong communication, and expertise in project management and data analysis.
Early roles may involve hands-on coordination of workflows, logistics, and campaign execution. Mid-level roles like Account Managers in advertising operations handle campaign implementation, optimization, and customer service. Senior roles in operations often emphasize program strategy, cross-functional alignment, data-driven insights, and enabling frontline teams for efficiency and scalability.
Key skills required for a corporate operations role in the media industry include business acumen, project management, data analysis, communication, organizational and operational efficiency, and cross-functional collaboration. With these skills, individuals can drive business success by blending strategic oversight with detailed execution, and being adaptable, analytically minded, and collaborative.
- The individual, with their extensive finance and business acumen honed through three decades in the software sector, is aiming to create operational efficiencies and improve creative output in the media and entertainment industry, demonstrating a versatility in careers that transcends traditional boundaries.
- As the COO of OpenDrives, the individual collaborates with senior leaders to develop workarounds or organizational fixes, and advises experimenting with new roles and understanding different functional areas of the company, showcasing the importance of a comprehensive business knowledge in their career progression within the media industry.
