When Chanelle Martin started a new job at Samba TV, she hit the ground running—and even earned a promotion in less than a year.
“Samba TV is a great place to work because everyone has the opportunity to make a difference,” says Martin, who is the Director of Programmatic Consulting at the ad tech company. “I’ve also had a lot of support from my manager, who gave me the autonomy to build things that help me grow and succeed.”
Here, Martin shares what attracted her to work in the ad tech industry, her experience overcoming imposter syndrome, and why living abroad significantly impacted her life.
Tell us about your career journey, and what inspired you to pursue a career in the ad tech industry.
I studied marketing and advertising in college and had great professors who were still working in the field at various agencies. This allowed me to learn from people who had relevant, real-world experience. I was also fortunate enough to do multiple internships in the field while in college. After graduating, I worked as a media planner/buyer at a small agency, where I gained experience across all types of media advertising—print, digital out of home (OOH), radio, TV, social—and fell in love with programmatic. I went on to get my masters in London. I then worked as a programmatic trader and trading manager at an agency, and later at demand-side platform (DSP) before joining Samba TV.
What attracted you to work at Samba TV?
I had been approached by a recruiter at Samba TV a couple of times when I was working at other agencies. I was always so intrigued by the company, and its culture seemed amazing. It was one of the first places I looked into when I was open to finding a new opportunity.
What have been the keys to your success at the company?
Since joining Samba TV, I made it a point to take initiative and proactively identify and solve problems as well as seek out new challenges. All of this helped me make an impact and advance quickly.
What are you responsible for in your role?
I manage the U.S. Programmatic Consulting team, which provides strategy recommendations to our clients and supports them through activations. My team has eight consultants based in San Francisco, LA, Chicago, and NYC, and I oversee how they interact with external clients and internal teams and find ways to support them in their day-to-day tasks. For example, I’ve created new processes to streamline their efforts and provide the best service internally and externally. I also provide the consultants with training and mentorship to help them develop their skills and advance in their careers.
What is a recent project you’re proud of and how did it impact the business?
I recently created best practices one-sheeters that my team can share with our clients as a tool to support them during activations and troubleshooting. It had a great impact on the business as it streamlined how we keep our clients informed and educated, which saves all of us time.
What do you like most about working in the ad tech industry?
The ad tech industry is fast paced and ever evolving. I love how dynamic the industry is, and I find it stimulating to keep up with changes, updates, and improvements in the space. Over the last 10 years working in the field, I have witnessed so much innovation, and am excited to see how the industry continues to evolve.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in tech, and how have you overcome them?
Throughout my career, I’ve had cases of imposter syndrome and moments where I’ve felt like I didn’t deserve to be in certain spaces where women—especially women of color—were underrepresented, particularly in leadership positions. To overcome this, I remind myself of my accomplishments and that I do deserve to be in the room. In addition, I always push myself to make an impact in every role I have to be that representation for other women. Lastly, I try to keep in touch with sponsors and mentors and mentor and support women as well.
What advice do you have for those who want to pursue a similar career path as yours?
If you’re still in college, try to do as many internships as possible if you have the ability to do so.
If you’ve graduated and are already in the workforce, know that it’s never too late to learn new things, so seek opportunities to get insight into different areas that you may be interested in. You can do this by setting time with coworkers you want to learn more from or by reaching out to potential mentors in and out of your organization.
Lastly, start building your network as early as you can. This industry is small and a strong support network can provide access to professional opportunities, career guidance, and even job referrals.
You’ve lived in many different cities over the course of your career—including a stint in London. How did living abroad impact you?
Living abroad in London was incredibly eye opening: I got to travel a lot, experience a different work culture, and meet people who’ve become lifelong friends. I think I experienced the most personal growth while living there.
What are you currently reading, watching, or listening to?
I’m currently reading Kindred by Octavia E. Butler. I also just binged the first half of the second season ofThe Lincoln Lawyer on Netflix and I’m waiting for part two to be released!