The Fishbowl: Katrina Coyne, Adwanted Events
The Media Leader’s interview series asks the media industry’s top salespeople revealing questions, drawn from our fishbowl. The questions will be drawn at random and contain some tricky posers set by the commercial chiefs themselves.
This week is Katrina Coyne, Adwanted Events’ head of commercial. Adwanted is the publisher of The Media Leader.
Katrina Coyne has been working in sales and business development at Adwanted Events (previously Mediatel Events) since 2016, including leading sales for specialist digital TV title Videonet, The Media Leader‘s sister publication.
Previously she held sales and leadership positions at Hubble Media before it was acquired by Mediatel, now Adwanted.
Prior to that she started her career at Informa Telecoms and Media, and worked there for more than 12 years culminating her time there as advertisement director.
What was your first paid job and why did you do it?
A summer job post-A levels, waitressing in a busy café on the Barbican in Plymouth.
What key thing has changed in conversations with clients this year compared to last year?
Firstly, the number of companies approaching Adwanted UK and The Media Leader is unprecedented, wanting to be a part of what we deliver to the industry. There is a real understanding of the level of quality and excellence of what we deliver whether across all our events, publications, quality of our editorial or audiences.
Based on what you know now, what one decision in your career would you change and why?
I would not change any of the decisions I’ve made but I do wonder how my path in life would have changed if I had continued with my plans for a masters in European Politics instead of that first job in media sales!
**Peer question** What superpower would you choose?
Selfishly, it would be to be able to control time to give me a few more hours in the day. Although, maybe control of the elements would be a better choice, to reverse the damage we’ve inflicted on the planet.
**Question from Emma Elford, commercial content director at The Independent.
What’s been your biggest challenge this year and what are you doing about it?
Honestly, balancing the unprecedented level of interest of companies wanting to get involved in the year’s Future of TV Advertising Global and accommodate all the companies who want to take part on this year’s agenda.
**Peer question** You’re in charge of the line-up for Glastonbury in 2023. Choosing any artist dead or alive, who are your headlines for Friday, Saturday and Sunday night?
So many to include, impossible to decide, so going for some double headliners.
Friday: Pulp / The Clash
Saturday: Prince / Beyoncé
Sunday: Amy Winehouse / Janis Joplin
**Question from James Cornish, VP international sales at Vevo.
What’s your best advice for someone who wants a job in media sales?
First and foremost: listen. And focus on understanding your clients’ needs and tailoring your approach to provide solutions.
If you could learn any new skill from scratch, what would it be?
Touch typing — it would genuinely save me hours every day.
**Peer question** What would your younger self tell you now?
Remain curious and open-minded, embrace change and believe in your ability to overcome obstacles.
**Question from Stefanie Briec, director, head of sales for UK & International at FreeWheel.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
Be kind; treat others how you want to be treated.
Read more Fishbowl interviews here and see what media’s top salespeople say about working in the industry and what concerns their clients. To suggest an interviewee, contact ella.sagar@uk.adwanted.com.