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
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
09/10/2026
September 10 2026, 06:00 (PDT) Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026
New Sports Intelligence helps providers better unders...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
02/10/2026
v1.9.3 introduces AUv3 support
Roland have just released an update that kits their free iPad-based software synth out with AUv3 support, meaning it can now ...
02/10/2026
Dolby Atmos support, AI-powered stem separation & more
The latest version of MOTU's DAW software is now available, and marks a major step forward with t...
02/10/2026
Portable DAC created in collaboration with Steve Levine
British hi-fi experts iFi audio have unveiled a new Master Tuned variant of their praised iDSD GR2 p...
02/10/2026
In our latest blog, Tim Pearson looks at streaming piracy from a different lens, focusing on digital trust, consumer risk, and the future of subscriber protecti...
02/10/2026
Featuring performances recorded in Cork, Kilkenny, Wesmeath and Dublin culminati...
02/10/2026
Friday 2 October 2026
Crystal Lake, a Friday the 13th' prequel series, com...
02/10/2026
Friday 2 October 2026
Sky VIP helps families celebrate the Christmas season wit...
02/10/2026
How the fertility sector in Ireland remains unregulated
Undercover filming reveals how without proper regulation the promotion of controversial fertility treat...
02/10/2026
Transforming Homes, Transforming Lives
Presenter Baz Ashmawy and his team take on four life-changing builds across Kildare, Limerick, Wicklow and Offaly in the...
01/10/2026
Third collaboration with celebrated composer
Spitfire Audio have once again teamed up with Grammy-nominated composer, producer and technologist BT, creating...
01/10/2026
FL Studio gets dedicated grid controller
Novation have teamed up with FL Studio developers Image-Line to create another dedicated controller for the popular...
01/10/2026
Six new USB interfaces introduced
Universal Audio's USB audio interface line-up has just been refreshed, gaining six new models aimed at musicians, prod...
01/10/2026
Siretta's SNYPER-5G cellular network analyser has been shortlisted for the IoT Global Awards 2026.
The IoT Global Awards recognise products, services and o...
01/10/2026
Mesh Broadcast Services Fits Big-Truck Audio Power into Compact Eclipse Unit with Calrec Argo M Canadian OB company Mesh Broadcast Services has fitted its Eclip...
01/10/2026
X-Rite Pantone Launches Spectura to Advance Connected Color Quality from Lab to ...
01/10/2026
Thursday 1 October 2026
Nominees revealed for 2026 Sky Arts Awards
Current slide, 0 0, undefined1
0
Irish National Opera and Jennifer Walshe: MARS
Jacob Al...
01/10/2026
Vital TV antenna replaced at SudburyHelicopter and broadcast engineers work together to upgrade TV services for 1.5M in the East
--
Share to Linkedin
Octobe...
01/10/2026
Arqiva appoints Simon Duffy as ChairSimon Duffy joins as Chair effective 01 October 2026
--
Share to Linkedin
October 1, 2026
Press Office
01 October 2026...
01/10/2026
Season 4 of the multi-award-winning hit entertainment series The 2 Johnnies Late Night Lock In is back, serving up another round of unpredictable laughs, unforg...
01/10/2026
New season begins Sunday, 4 October at 6pm on RT lyric fm and RT Listen
RT lyric fm's arts and culture documentary series The Lyric Feature returns on S...
01/10/2026
RT is proud to continue its commitment to supporting and celebrating the arts across Ireland this October, highlighting a vibrant programme of theatre, music, ...
30/09/2026
Add an envelope generator to any plug-in
Sync Audio's latest creation is a handy utility plug-in that can be used to combine and modulate other effects ...
30/09/2026
All-analogue tape-style drive joins Series A
Strymon's reputation was built on their digital knowhow, so many were surprised (and intrigued) when they a...
30/09/2026
Two new expansion packs released
Sonuscore have just introduced two new expansion packs for The Pulse, its production engine instrument for modern cinematic...
30/09/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({...
30/09/2026
New Solution Expands Harmonic's Network Intelligence Portfolio and Brings Comcast-Developed Fiber Monitoring Technology to Broadband Operators, Providing Re...
30/09/2026
How to Shop Well Now starts Monday at 9.35pm
on RT One and RT Player
On the...
29/09/2026
Two new plug-ins launch alongside updated bundles
Zynaptiq have just announced the launch of two new plug-ins, alongside new and improved versions of two of...
29/09/2026
All-in-one bus processor revealed
Wes Audio's ng product range has come a long way since it was first introduced, and now includes a tasty selection of ...
29/09/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
29/09/2026
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO OR TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN, OR AT ANY ADDRESS IN, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ITS TERRITO...
29/09/2026
We tend to think we live in a digital world, with hopes and fears around artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, data centres and the next big technolo...
29/09/2026
Today, in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Apple relea...
29/09/2026
Final Cut Camera, the professional filming app for iPhone, receives a major upda...
29/09/2026
RT lyric fm is proud to announce the annual Choirs for Christmas competition callout. Warm up those vocal chords and join us on RT lyric fm for a celebration ...
28/09/2026
EQ plug-in can now be played via MIDI
Scaler Music have recently released a new and improved version of their patented musical EQ plug-in, kitting it out wi...
28/09/2026
New synth developed in collaboration with philterSoup
Boutique effects pedal and Eurorack manufacturer Animal Factory Amps have announced that the new compa...
28/09/2026
Rohde & Schwarz adds an integrated multi-channel pulse analysis option to its FS...
28/09/2026
Monday 28 September 2026
Sky launches Full Fibre 1.6 Gbps for millions of homes
Sky has launched a new Full Fibre 1.6 Gbps product, rolling out from today, gi...
28/09/2026
Arvato Systems Highlights It's Role for Automotive Manufacturers and Suppliers
TISAX
Arvato Systems has successfully completed the TISAX Level 3 assess...
28/09/2026
Crimecall, presented by Carla O'Brien, returns tonight for a brand new series at 9.35pm on RT One and RT Player.
In tonight's episode, alongside appe...
28/09/2026
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS AT THE HEART OF NEW IRISH WRITING
LIVE FROM POETRY IRELAND, DUBLIN AND ON RT RADIO 1 FROM 7PM
DETAILS: www.rte.ie/writing | FOLLOW: #r...
27/09/2026
New compact pedal packs in 120 effects
The latest multi-effects pedal from Boss is a compact unit that promises to give any pedalboard a massive boost in s...
26/09/2026
Launched alongside three new expansion packs
In celebration of their 30th anniversary, Native Instruments have released a major update for their Maschine 3 ...
25/09/2026
Algorithm update & new DVA vibrato-detection engine
A new flagship version of Antares' iconic pitch-correction software has arrived, and along with a co...
25/09/2026
New flagship unit to arrive in early 2027
Two notes Audio Engineering have revealed that a new and improved version of their hugely popular reactive load bo...
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
