Jenny Isaksson, director channel development at Vizrt, tells TVBEurope why she enjoys working in an industry that sits at the intersection between communication and technology, and how a background in computer science has helped her understand how making data-driven decisions is incredibly important for successful business outcomes.
Talk us through an average day in your role
A key responsibility of my role is in the business development and channel strategy at Vizrt. Lately, an average day consists of cross-coordination with internal departments, meetings with partners for development discussions, and focusing on next launches.
A lot of my time is spent on managing launches of new offerings into our channel for distributors and systems integrators, with a focus on developing Vizrt’s partner programme. My work is also about strengthening relationships with strategic alliances to provide customers with the value they need.
How did you get started in the media industry?
Most of my professional experience has been focused on the business side of things. Before joining Vizrt, I worked for the tech investor Nordic Capital, gaining experience from channel sales and working operationally with other tech companies. Now at Vizrt, I’m joining the exciting growth journey with our indirect sales channel.
What training did you have before entering the industry?
My experience working with clients and portfolio companies has taught me what works and what doesn’t work from a business perspective, as my previous responsibilities had a focus on management consulting and private equity operations. But actually, my educational background is mostly technical; I have a master’s degree in industrial engineering and management from KTH (Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm). While I studied computer science, I’ve found that knowing how to make data-driven decisions is incredibly important for successful business outcomes.
Why do you enjoy working in the industry?
The media technology industry has no shortage of innovation – the opportunities with cloud production, for example, bring incredible possibilities for independent and established creators. And because media is about connecting and creating, I enjoy how the industry sits in the intersection between communication and technology. Working with Vizrt’s channel partners, I get to see how customers are best supported in their creativity.
What piece of advice would you offer someone looking to explore a role similar to yours?
I learned quite quickly while studying computer science that I didn’t want to pursue a career in coding. My advice is to not be afraid to change your mind – you can pursue a different path, and it can turn out great. I would also advise educating yourself about the industry you go into, especially if it’s in tech. The value is in the details, so it’s important to invest the time to build that understanding.
More specific to my role is the importance of being curious about others’ perspectives. I work closely with system integrators, resellers, distributors, and other manufacturers, and keeping their point of view in mind is integral to ensuring we can deliver the best solutions for customers.
