Einar M. Helde, co-founder and head of business development, AIMS API
Talk us through an average day in your role
As one of the founders of a start-up, you end up covering a lot of different areas. From top-level strategy to sales, marketing and product work. I prefer to start the day with a coffee and prioritise my day. I know a lot of it will be spent in meetings, managing our global sales and marketing team, meeting clients and helping them use our tech in the most valuable way. With the team and partners from LA to Sydney, the working hours vary quite a bit.
Thankfully I have a super-talented team of ambitious people around me, which makes it fun to put in the work.
How did you get started in the media industry?
It was quite random; I got a part-time job while studying licensing music for film and TV and I have been in the industry since. I enjoyed working with producers and broadcasters, helping them creatively on the music side and making their licencing process as easy as possible.
Understanding the complex needs of broadcasters who work locally, and licence content globally got us a lot of placements.
What training did you have before entering the industry?
I did not have any specific training in the media industry. I took a masters in business and commercial law, which is incredibly useful for both biz dev and doing licence agreements.
Why do you enjoy working in the industry?
I love working with people, and this industry is so driven by networking. You realise that it’s quite a small world after a while, and it is possible to get in touch with most people in the media industry through your network.
My brain is always looking for valuable problems to solve, and there are plenty of them in our industry.
What piece of advice would you offer someone looking to explore a role similar to yours?
My advice would be to always be on the lookout for opportunities. In the broadcast, music and entertainment industry, things are constantly changing, so it’s important to be open to learning about new technologies and trends. Building a strong network of industry professionals is also crucial, as it will help you stay informed and connected. Additionally, be patient and don’t be afraid to ask questions, as there will always be something new to learn. And most importantly, take great notes, so you can track your progress and reflect on what you’ve learned
