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 ...
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...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
19/08/2026
Studio owners invited to have their say on rates cuts
The Music Producers Guild (MPG) are inviting UK-based studios to take part in an in-depth survey that ...
19/08/2026
Vintage-inspired desktop interface revealed
Harrison's latest hardware offering sees them head into the world of audio interfaces, delivering a 10-in/12...
19/08/2026
Granular effect remains locked to scale and tempo
Described as your dream granular effect , Minimal Audio's latest creation is capable of turning any s...
19/08/2026
First polyphonic SWAM instrument incoming
Audio Modeling's latest physical-modelling orchestral instrument is just around the corner, and is now availab...
19/08/2026
There's an early Christmas gift for Bookish fans, as UKTV confirms the re-commission of the hit U&alibi drama, created by and starring Mark Gatiss. Viewers ...
19/08/2026
Wednesday 19 August 2026
Sky gives sports fans the chance to watch multiple liv...
19/08/2026
On Saturday September 5 Katie Taylor will step into the ring for the fight of her life against Flora Pili in front of 80,000 fans in Croke Park. A legendary fig...
18/08/2026
Company launch with stereo-imaging tool
Panoramic is the debut release from Panorama Labs, a new company formed by mastering engineer Nicholas Di Lorenzo. C...
18/08/2026
Control software now available for older interfaces
Focusrite have just announced the launch of an update that extends Control 2 software support their Scar...
18/08/2026
Tuesday 18 August 2026
Sky Sports and The Fast and the Curious announce new partnership
Sky Sports and The Fast and the Curious have announced a new long-term...
18/08/2026
Wuppertal August 18, 2026
Riedel Brings Professional Live Production Into the Classrooms of ECURiedel Communications today announced that Edith Cowan Universi...
18/08/2026
Apple today announced changes to its business terms for apps in the European Uni...
18/08/2026
THE HEALY RAES: BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS AIRS WEDNESDAY AUGUST 19 ON RT ONE AT 9:35PM
A new documentary The Healy-Raes: Blood, Sweat & Tears airs on RT One and ...
18/08/2026
Stunning Irish performances at European Athletics and Swimming Championships rea...
18/08/2026
The two-part series begins Sunday 23 August at 6.30pm on RT One and RT Player
...
17/08/2026
New MIDI processor & macro controller revealed
SHIK have announced that they have opened pre-orders for the S32, a standalone MIDI processor and macro contr...
17/08/2026
Cover extended on innovative motorised pot system
Melbourne Instruments have just revealed that the innovative motorised pot system used in their synths and...
17/08/2026
Latest firmware version now available
1010music have just released a free firmware update that brings some nice new features to their renowned Bluebox digit...
17/08/2026
Rohde & Schwarz showcases integrated defense and test solutions at DALO Industry...
17/08/2026
Calrec's ImPulseV Virtualised Audio Mixing Engine joins NEP Platform, the industry's largest ecosystem of trusted production software, bringing scalable...
17/08/2026
Visitors to IBC 2026 will see how FilmLight is reshaping the modern post pipelin...
17/08/2026
Visitors to Stand 1.C41 can explore innovations in areas such as addressable advertising, hybrid distribution, managed services and operational simplification.
...
16/08/2026
Virtual drummer joins line-up
The latest release from Gospel Musicians adds a virtual drummer to the company's line-up, combining a pair of meticulously...
15/08/2026
In-ear monitoring line-up gains new universal models
In-ear monitoring experts JH Audio have just announced a significant expansion of their Universal-Fit r...
14/08/2026
Latest instalment delivers disco-inspired grooves
The latest addition to UJAM's virtual drum line-up has been designed with contemporary pop, disco, dan...
14/08/2026
Elite range gains giant 24-inch powered sub
The latest expansion of Yorkville's Elite range introduces what the company say is the world's first act...
14/08/2026
Friday 14 August 2026
Breaking news! Sky releases trailer for The Paper, return...
14/08/2026
It's been one year since our client, Cotswolds Designer Outlet, opened its doors and we've loved seeing the scheme come to life. Together, we've hel...
13/08/2026
Company preview bio-interactive' synthesizer
VAEMI have announced the upcoming launch of a new standalone bio-interactive' generative synthesizer....
13/08/2026
Plug-in host gains new Slot Scenes feature
Ravine DSP have recently updated their innovative plug-in host, kitting it out with a new feature that brings yet...
13/08/2026
New U and U&W Documentary Features Kathleen Richards, One of the Last Surviving Witnesses to Fred and Rose West
Kathleen is Reunited with Childhood Friend and ...
13/08/2026
Thursday 13 August 2026
Official trailer released for the return of Tea with Ju...
13/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
13/08/2026
Wenvoe serves over 1 million people across South Wales
13 August 2026, Winchester, UK - Vale of Glamorgan MP, Kanishka Narayan, has praised the engineering exp...
13/08/2026
RT 's Miriam O'Callaghan welcomed a range of specially invited guests to the National Concert Hall last week for a unique event to mark a new season wit...
13/08/2026
August 13 2026, 06:00 (PDT) Seattle Seahawks Become First Team to Bring Dolby O...
12/08/2026
Enhanced DAW & plug-in control for the UC1, UF8 and UF1
The software that powers SSL's range of control surfaces has just received a major update that d...
12/08/2026
In-line preamp features one-knob EQ
In addition to their range of in-line preamps, Triton Audio recently managed to squeeze a compressor into an enclosure t...
12/08/2026
Captures system audio with or without a DAW
Depending on your setup, capturing system audio in a DAW can be a tedious process, so much so that Arvital Audio...
12/08/2026
Comscore Reports Second Quarter 2026 ResultsRESTON, Va., August 12, 2026 Comscore, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCOR), a trusted partner for planning, transacting and evalu...
12/08/2026
NEW BOOKSHOP OPENING IN LONDON THAT OFFERS NEW IDENTITIES, NOT BOOKS, WITH FREE ...
12/08/2026
Brand-new trailer unveiled as Sky announces SNL UK ticket ballot will open on 14...
12/08/2026
Wednesday 12 August 2026
Sky Sports agrees deal to show Laver Cup from London's O2
Sky Sports has agreed a deal with Trident8 to show all three days of th...
12/08/2026
Wednesday 12 August 2026
Pre-order the new Google Pixel 11 range from today and...
11/08/2026
Free library captures pro classical string section
There's no shortage of freebies in The Crow Hill Company's line-up, with their Vaults series offe...
11/08/2026
Percussion instrument introduces all-new engine
Emergence Audio have just introduced an instrument that brings together a vast collection of percussive anal...
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
