
To mark International Womens Day on March 8th, TVBEurope is showcasing some of the women who are helping to shape the media technology industry. We start with Sally-Ann DAmato who tells us how she went from aspiring actress to SMPTEs executive director
By Jenny Priestley
Published: March 3, 2025 Updated: March 4, 2025
To mark International Women's Day on March 8th, TVBEurope is showcasing some of the women who are helping to shape the media technology industry. We start with Sally-Ann D'Amato who tells us how she went from aspiring actress to SMPTE's executive director
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin>
Talk us through an average day in your role Every day in my new position is an adventure! I am very new in my current role but not at all new to my current organisation, as I have worked in various positions at SMPTE since I started in 2001. Having so much institutional knowledge helps, but now I'm a student again, learning about the areas in which I had not previously had much involvement. I currently spend a LOT of time in a lot of meetings (which isn't really that new) and fight a losing battle with my overstuffed inbox. There is also a lot of maths and accounting in my life these days. I am luckily a person who likes to solve problems and investigate, so that trait helps me as I navigate uncovering the interworkings of accounting and financials. I'm also in almost daily contact with SMPTE president Richard Welsh, as we work closely to ensure we are aligned on our goals and plans to move SMPTE forward. Since I came from the staff and not from outside, I already have a great working relationship with our team and we meet daily to check in and make sure our projects are on track and that we're supporting each other however we can.
How did you get started in the media industry? It was actually by accident! I graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in Theatre Performance and moved back home to New York to pursue my acting career. I had a small part on a soap opera and was auditioning for theatre, film, and television roles. I knew I would be a terrible waitress, but I had a lot of admin experience, so I was working temporary office assignments. One day the agency called to say they had the perfect assignment for me at a film production company in White Plains. I thought this sounded strange, but I took the job and I found myself at the SMPTE office, which was very much NOT a film production company! I was hired to make member retention phone calls and I was so awful at it. Maybe that's why I have phone anxiety to this day. Luckily, the staff saw my potential and other skills, and I quickly moved on from that task and began helping with administrative tasks related to the SMPTE sections, conferences, and board meetings. I soon started attending trade shows to staff the SMPTE booth and even began to present at student events and the UFVA conference. I began meeting all the members and volunteers and almost 24 years later, I'm still here!
What training did you have before entering the industry? Very little technical training. I had some basic skills in film and television production work from college, but that was it. In fact, I thought that working at SMPTE would give me an edge when auditioning for student films. I expected the students to be so impressed when I told them, and I was very surprised when I was met with blank stares, or when they would recognise SMPTE timecode, but would think that SMPTE was just part of the name. That was when I began working on plans to engage students and raise awareness about SMPTE.
Why do you enjoy working in the industry? It's all about the people. For me, that's what makes this career rewarding. I've worked with so many wonderful individuals who have volunteered their time and expertise so graciously. They have been willing to speak with students and early career professionals, who have just been awed by the opportunity to ask questions and learn. They have dedicated time and resources to educational conferences, courses, webcasts, and more. They have supported and lifted others up in their careers. This is truly a great community.
What piece of advice would you offer someone looking to explore a role similar to yours? Work hard and know your worth. Don't be shy about networking and just talking to the people in your industry. You'd probably be surprised at how many people want to see others succeed and be a part of their success. Don't be afraid to speak up and speak the truth. I have always been honest and transparent and have spoken my mind to our board when it mattered - even when I was brand new to the industry and early in my career. A fresh perspective can be extremely valuable. And build your tribe - surround yourself with the people you want to work with and the people who lift you up and are there to help you succeed.
More from TVB Europe
15/04/2025
Jan Krupp, VFX supervisor at Scanline VFX, tells TVBEurope how the company created a range of environments for the Netflix film
By Matthew Corrigan
Published...
15/04/2025
Ateliere said that due to the current, unforeseen turbulence in the US and in the global business and financial markets the company is no longer in a position t...
14/04/2025
Stanley has been promoted to the role following seven years as general manager with the company
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: April 14, 2025 Updated: Apri...
14/04/2025
StreamAMG delivers more than 15,000 live events each year, with over 52,000 hours of content watched in 200 countries
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: April 14...
14/04/2025
TVBEurope content director Jenny Priestley sums up her 2025 NAB Show experience, from the end of AI hype to the impact of tariffs, trying out virtual production...
11/04/2025
Two creative projects will receive awards of £35,000 aiming to boost innovation in 5G across the media and entertainment sector
By Matthew Corrigan
Published...
11/04/2025
The London VFX studio has strengthened its pipeline team with two promotions and a new appointment
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: April 11, 2025 Updated: A...
10/04/2025
The report outlined a package of proposed measures to ensure domestic production...
10/04/2025
Attendees travelled from 160 countries around he world to the media and entertainment industrys Super Bowl event
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: April 10, 202...
10/04/2025
Kitty Higinbotham, president of Wall Street Communications, tells TVBEurope why communication skills are essential in an ever-changing industry
By Matthew Corr...
09/04/2025
Located across from Panavision London's camera and optics rental business, the new site is nearly 10,000 sq ft larger than the previous facility
By Matthew...
09/04/2025
The project aims to enable flexibility and integration to ensure consistent graphics experiences across diverse platforms
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: Apri...
09/04/2025
The proposal includes an investment of £20 million in local industry and could create up to 4,000 jobs
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: April 9, 2025 Updated...
09/04/2025
Andy Sumner also joins the company supporting its recent expansion into Liverpoo...
09/04/2025
TVBEurope celebrates the stand-out products on show in Las Vegas
By Jenny Priestley
Published: April 9, 2025 Updated: April 13, 2025
TVBEurope celebrate...
08/04/2025
Channel 4's Top Guns: Inside the RAF puts viewers at the heart of the action, following the service as it carries out operations around the world. Mark Tatt...
08/04/2025
DPP CEO Rowan de Pomerai and CCO Mark Harrison talk to TVBEurope about the organisations first decade, plans for the future and challenges facing the media indu...
08/04/2025
Reports say ProSiebenSat is lining up the investment bank to repel the Berlusconi-owned company as it seeks to retain independence
By Matthew Corrigan
Publi...
08/04/2025
Jodi Morelli, acting head of external communications for Globecast, and growth manager, North America at RISE talks to TVBEurope about the need to stay curious,...
07/04/2025
The company debuted new products, accessories and upgrades ahead of NAB 2025
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: April 7, 2025
The company debuted new products...
07/04/2025
Production company Fulwell 73 and financiers Cain International plan to build 20 premium sound stages at the complex
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: April 7, ...
06/04/2025
TVBEurope content director Jenny Priestley sits down with new Grass Valley CEO Jon Wilson to discuss his vision for the company going forward, what that means f...
04/04/2025
In our latest article on a piece of broadcasting history, Vizrts Russell Leak tells TVBEurope how his Dad created the motor used in a BBC 1 ident from the 1980s...
04/04/2025
The agency aims to bridge gaps in product strategy, development, and go-to-market programmes for media tech companies around the world
By Matthew Corrigan
Pu...
04/04/2025
Carole Pigeard, SVP of global sales at Moments Lab tells TVBEurope how diverse perspectives fuel evolution in the media and entertainment space
By Matthew Corr...
03/04/2025
Innovations across Premiere Pro and After Effects deliver AI-powered upgrades and workflow improvements, said the company
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: Apri...
03/04/2025
The new upgrades aim to enable smarter tracking, greater control, and faster workflows while expanding interoperability across robotic systems
By Matthew Corr...
03/04/2025
From a trip to space to the inaugural Sports Summit, and a look behind the camera of Wicked, this is whats on the TVBEurope teams radar at the 2025 NAB Show
B...
03/04/2025
Because of the nature of this sort of sliding scale of tariffs, there are opportunities that werent there before, analyst Alice Enders tells TVBEurope
By Jenny...
02/04/2025
Sally Wallington, SVP of sales at Pebble, explores the mission-critical considerations broadcasters should make when choosing a playout provider
Sponsored Cont...
02/04/2025
TVBEurope meets Tim Claman, chief product officer at Avid, to discuss the compan...
02/04/2025
Submissions will be accepted up until 23:59 PST on 2nd April
By Jenny Priestley
Published: March 24, 2025 Updated: April 3, 2025
Submissions will be acc...
02/04/2025
Leclerc will work with group members to explore and champion UK digital media distribution via broadcast, IP, mobile or hybrid delivery
By Jenny Priestley
Pu...
01/04/2025
Adopting open standards, the solution aims to provide workflow standardisation, allowing for automation and other innovations across a diverse range of markets
...
01/04/2025
Submissions will be accepted up until 23:59 PST on 2nd April
By Jenny Priestley
Published: March 24, 2025 Updated: April 1, 2025
Submissions will be acc...
01/04/2025
The AI issue takes a look at how AI is reshaping broadcasting, including areas such as sports commentary and archiving and storage, plus we discover how Norways...
01/04/2025
Joining the company with more than two decades of experience forging and scaling alliances in the industry, Wastcoats role will support TVUs strategic developme...
31/03/2025
Submissions will be accepted up until 23:59 PST on 2nd April
By Jenny Priestley
Published: March 24, 2025 Updated: March 31, 2025
Submissions will be ac...
31/03/2025
The company is said to be working with KPMG on a deal that could include the sale of a majority or minority stake
By Jenny Priestley
Published: March 31, 202...
31/03/2025
The confidential agreement ends multi-jurisdictional litigation between the parties over the issues
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: March 31, 2025 Updated: ...
31/03/2025
Em Bell, senior client services coordinator at dock10, tells TVBEurope why a can-do attitude and problem-solving mindset is ideal for the TV industry
By Matthe...
28/03/2025
TED-Ed series Ada fuses storytelling with eye-catching animation. The Should We ...
28/03/2025
Rita Madeira, content producer at Digital Azul, tells TVBEurope how the industry thrives on connections and welcomes curiosity
By Matthew Corrigan
Published:...
27/03/2025
The Mini has a footprint equal to the size of an average smartphone and can be placed side by side for use in stereoscopic or volumetric video
By Jenny Priestl...
27/03/2025
The teams behind House of the Dragon, Masters of the Air, Silo and The Lord of t...
27/03/2025
The initiative aims to help young women pursue higher education in broadcast and media technology, offering financial assistance and networking opportunities
B...
27/03/2025
We believe that ProSiebenSat.1 needs a strong shareholder that can provide expertise and experience in the industry, making an active contribution to its growth...
26/03/2025
The Chancellor presented her speech in the House of Commons today
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: March 26, 2025 Updated: March 27, 2025
The Chancellor p...
26/03/2025
The council will guide key focus areas to help grow a more secure, interoperable and effective media creation ecosystem, said the organisation
By Matthew Corri...
26/03/2025
Donna Thomas, executive vice president, Vubiquity talks to TVBEurope about how nurturing an early entrepreneurial streak paved the way for her career
By Matthe...