Charlie Johnson, VP international at Digital Envoy, tells TVBEurope how early experience in sales was the perfect grounding for a role in media and entertainment
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 12, 2025 Updated: February 13, 2025
Charlie Johnson, VP international at Digital Envoy, tells TVBEurope how early experience in sales was the perfect grounding for a role in media and entertainment
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin> Charlie Johnson, VP international at Digital Envoy, tells TVBEurope how early experience in sales was the perfect grounding for a role in media and entertainment
https://www.tvbeurope.com/business/people/meet-the-vp-international title=Share via Email class=share-email>
Talk us through an average day in your role. Ah, my typical day - it's like a high-speed juggling act across time zones handling international business, so my brain is basically a ping pong ball bouncing between continents and challenges.
The day kicks off early with our APAC customers and teams. It's a bit like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube while drinking my first coffee - lots of moving parts, and you have to think fast. By the evening, I'm deep into calls with our US team, handling the good ol' mothership .
Charlie Johnson, VP international at Digital Envoy On any given day, I could be chatting with customers in adtech-think DSPs, SSPs, and everything in between. Then I'll pivot to a streaming client, who's keen to chat about DRM and content protection, as though I have a PhD in digital security. Then I'll catch up with my commercial and CS teams to hear what's happening on the ground, before wrapping up the day with a chat with HQ about strategic initiatives and customer feedback.
So, yes, my day's full of moving parts and mental gymnastics. But at the end of it, I'm juggling everything from adtech to streaming to identity, and doing my best to keep everything ticking along smoothly - all while making sure I haven't forgotten what time zone I'm in.
How did you get started in the media industry? I got my start in the media industry back in 2003 when I landed a job in London with Debrett's - yes, that Debrett's. I was tasked with selling classified ads to people who were spending £15,000 on bespoke rocking horses. The only thing more terrifying than the £15,000 horses was the thought of not hitting my sales targets, because if I didn't sell, I didn't eat.
So, there I was, making cold calls to the well-heeled of London, trying to convince them that their £15,000 custom-made rocking horse needed a classy classified ad in Debrett's to truly make it feel royal. And let's be honest, when you're living on £16,000 a year and your sales pitch involves convincing people to part with £15,000 for a wooden toy, you quickly learn to get very creative.
What training did you have before entering the industry? I didn't need formal training -I learned by doing, throwing myself into the deep end like a business-savvy toddler at a buffet. Sure, I've got a degree in business management, but the only thing it taught me was the art of networking.
But the real training came courtesy of my dad. At the tender age of seven, he sent me off to the car boot sale, where I learned how to haggle for a vintage doll's house and flog a box of old magazines to the highest bidder. Forget formal education - this was hands-on, no-nonsense salesmanship. He'd stand there, proud as punch, watching his little entrepreneur turn 50p into £5 and develop the commercial instincts that would one day rule the media industry. By the time I was 8, he knew it was clear: I was destined for a career where I could convince people to part with their hard-earned cash, whether it was for a used toaster or, later on, classified ads for bespoke rocking horses.
Why do you enjoy working in the industry? How can anyone not love working in this industry? It's constantly changing - every day, all day, like a never-ending rollercoaster with the occasional data breach just to spice things up. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good, chaotic, adrenaline-fuelled ride?
But the real magic? The people. Seriously, how many other jobs can you say you get to work with some of the smartest, coolest, and most fun people out there, all trying (and mostly succeeding) to make the industry better?
And the best part? I'm constantly learning. Whether it's from someone who knows how to build a programmatic strategy or from the person who explains, for the fifth time, exactly how cookies work (spoiler: I'm still not sure). It's all part of the fun - and I wouldn't change it for the world.
What piece of advice would you offer someone looking to explore a similar role to yours? If you're even thinking about jumping into the chaos that is the media industry, do it. First piece of advice: be a sponge. Not the one that sits there hoping the world comes to you, but the one that soaks up everything - the good, the bad, and the what on earth are they talking about moments. The secret is to ask the question no one else is asking. 99% of the time, you're not the only one thinking it - everyone else is just too afraid to ask.
Give back what you get. You'll learn a ton, but then pass it on. Find mentors, steal their knowledge (ethically, of course), and when you're ready, become a mentor yourself. And let's not forget the real key to success in media: get a passport. You'll find yourself in cities you've never heard of and negotiating with a wide range of people.
This is a career that'll keep you on your toes - so don't just dip your toes in, dive right in. But, most importantly, buckle up, because it's going to be one heck of a ride.
Europe Stories
09/11/2025
Dalet today announced a transformative leap forward for media operations: Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) that unifies the Dalet ecosystem under one natura...
06/10/2025
France T l visions, France's leading broadcaster, has received the 2025 EBU ...
16/09/2025
Hace una d cada, la m sica latina representaba apenas el 8% de las reproducciones globales en Spotify. Hoy, constituye m s de una cuarta parte (27%) de toda la ...
16/09/2025
A decade ago, Latin music made up just 8% of global Spotify streams. Today, it a...
16/09/2025
Spotify is expanding our video lineup with a new partnership with Zoo 55, part of ITV Studios. For the first time, acclaimed content from ITV Studios is landing...
16/09/2025
Calrec has strengthened its collaboration with audio metering expert RTW by integrating RTW's new TMxCore metering platform across its full range of Argo IP...
16/09/2025
Leading space solutions company will use optical ground stations to deliver faster, more secure data from space
Luxembourg, September 15, 2025 - SES, a leading...
16/09/2025
Comscore Unveils The Scoreboard: An Interactive Destination Surfacing Consumer B...
15/09/2025
Global K-Pop sensation aespa is redefining what it means to be rich with the r...
15/09/2025
Every day, millions of people around the world turn to Spotify to enjoy the audi...
15/09/2025
After months of intensive planning and implementation, Brembo SGL Carbon Ceramic...
15/09/2025
Unique sports content orchestration platform builds momentum among SES's cus...
15/09/2025
-- Opens door to growth in renewable energy New Delhi, India - 15th September -- Global business and industry leaders from around the world are joining technol...
13/09/2025
Harmonic's Software-Based XOS Advanced Media Processor Provides Unparalleled Efficiency and Unlocks New Business Models SAN JOSE, Calif. - Sept. 13, 2025 -...
12/09/2025
For fans, we know how important it is to stay plugged into music culture and dis...
12/09/2025
Link ping, Sweden and Shipley, United Kingdom, September 12, 2025 - Agama, the expert in video observability and analytics for service quality and customer expe...
12/09/2025
Feature-length retrospective from Studio Crook to air in 2026
Sir David Jason returns to the nation's favourite comedy channel, U&GOLD, for Open All Hours:...
12/09/2025
Friday 12 September 2025
The Boomtown Rats, Nyah Grace, Soweto Kinch, Royal Ballet and Madness also announced to perform at the ceremony on Tuesday
Sky today ...
12/09/2025
Wuppertal September 12, 2025
Riedel Unveils Ultra-Light Bolero Mini Wireless Intercom BeltpackAt IBC2025 in Amsterdam, Riedel Communications unveiled Bolero M...
12/09/2025
Wuppertal September 12, 2025
Riedel Communications Acquires hi human interfaceRiedel Communications today announced the acquisition of hi human interface fro...
12/09/2025
CORE+ virtually removes distortion, setting a new standard for church sound and giving worship teams the clarity and confidence they need.
Read the full artic...
12/09/2025
The Late Late Show is back with a bang after the summer break, and Patrick Kielt...
12/09/2025
The World Athletics Championships, Ireland v France in the Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final, the Irish Champions Festival, and two Sports Direct Men...
12/09/2025
The Records Show starts Sunday at 6.30pm on RT One and RT Player.
Katie Hanno...
11/09/2025
RADAR, Spotify's program for emerging talent, recently hit a major milestone...
11/09/2025
Link ping, Sweden, September 11, 2025 - Agama, the expert in video observability & analytics for service quality and customer experience, announced today the la...
11/09/2025
Under the USD 89.6 Million award, SES Space & Defense will provide global commer...
11/09/2025
Leading Balkan DTH provider adds capacity to consolidate its m:Sat TV platform at 23.5 degrees East and serve more customers across the region
Luxembourg, 11 S...
11/09/2025
UKTV's free streaming service U launches on Sky Q
Free streaming service U has launched on Sky Q in the UK, UKTV and Sky confirm today, expanding the footp...
11/09/2025
From the discreet 2061 lavaliers to 4099 and 4011 mics, the setup delivered clean, natural sound in one of the most challenging broadcast environments.
Read th...
11/09/2025
From rugged build quality to natural, detailed sound, the verdict is clear: big performance can come in a very small package.
Read the full review here!...
11/09/2025
Tonight on Prime Time
RT One and RT Player at 9:35pm
Tonight RT Prime Time...
11/09/2025
RT Statement: 2026 Eurovision Song Contest
At the General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in July, a number of EBU members raised concerns ...
10/09/2025
Lossless on Spotify Premium is here.
Lossless audio has been one of the most a...
10/09/2025
The Television Will Be Revolutionised Sep 10, 2025
Written by Sunit Kotecha, Director of Delivery and Operations, YouView
2025 marks a century since the f...
10/09/2025
First of Spains F110 frigates get future-ready with Rohde & Schwarz communicatio...
10/09/2025
Harmonic's cOS Platform Supports DOCSIS and Fiber, Enabling Midco to Deliver Reliable Multi-Gigabit Connectivity to Subscribers SAN JOSE, Calif. - Sept. 10,...
10/09/2025
RT brings three days of live radio, live entertainment, live news, live weather, personal appearances, and more
Join RT Radio 1: Morning Ireland, The Oliver ...
09/09/2025
Since 2020, Spotify's RADAR program has been a launchpad for emerging talent...
09/09/2025
In 2020, Spotify launched RADAR with a clear mission: to identify, nurture, and ...
09/09/2025
If you're on BookTok, you know the drill. You scroll, you tap, and suddenly your To Be Read list is overflowing with trending must-reads. Not unlike Spoti...
09/09/2025
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
09/09/2025
Harmonic's VOS360 Ad SaaS Enables Personalized Ad Delivery and Seamless Integration with the Ad Tech Ecosystem SAN JOSE, Calif. - Sept. 9, 2025 - Harmonic ...
09/09/2025
St. Luke's Episcopal Church in New Jersey needed audio that truly connects and they found the answer.
Read the full case study here!...
09/09/2025
From AI-driven sound design to adaptable systems and uncompromising audio quality, the discussion highlights how innovation is shaping the future of performance...
09/09/2025
The conversation covers DPA's natural, uncolored sound, how to choose the right mic for any application and the company's latest innovations including C...
09/09/2025
From the origins of CORE to the latest CORE+ upgrade, the article explores how DPA minimizes distortion, expands dynamic range and ensures clarity at every SPL ...
09/09/2025
September 9 2025, 07:22 (PDT) Dolby Revolutionizes Entertainment on Four Wheels...
09/09/2025
The Autumn Schedule has begun on RT Raidi na Gaeltachta, with a feast of music, entertainment, news and current affairs programmes as well as an interesting s...
Charlie Johnson, VP international at Digital Envoy, tells TVBEurope how early experience in sales was the perfect grounding for a role in media and entertainment
