Aaron Lynch joined Netflix in 2018 and is now a senior manager of the streaming giant's global creative marketing team. Photo: Black British Business Awards
From nightclub promoter to senior manager of Netflix's global creative marketing team, Aaron Lynch has learned to harness his unique experience as a black man.
“Black culture is mainstream culture. right now, and it stimulates things that make my experience even more valuable,” he says.
Embracing his differences has helped Lynch navigate the TV industry, where ethnic minorities make up just 15% of the workforce at Britain's top eight companies . broadcasters, according to Ofcom diversity data.
Lynch joined Netflix in 2018, after more than seven years at the BBC and Channel 4.
He says that when he joined the streaming giant, «it was like a start-up», but it » an entrepreneurial and scrappy startup.” spirit» provided the space and freedom to make the choices he believed were right for the business.
This included leading efforts to highlight black British stories that challenge stereotypes and instead celebrate new voices and experience.
<р>His recent work includes the Netflix revival of Top Boy, an east London gangster drama that has been praised for showcasing up-and-coming black British talent and the country's vibrant rap culture.
Lynch is among this year's Black British finalists. Business Awards is an annual event that recognizes the country's outstanding specialists and entrepreneurs.
Toby Demuren, LinkedIn's Global Head of Advocacy Marketing. Photo: Black British Business Awards
The Telegraph is the national media partner for the event, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Toby Demuren, Global Head of Outreach Marketing at LinkedIn, is another finalist in the media category .
>He says: “The advertising and marketing industry often perpetuates social homogeneity by equating success not only with skill, but also with presentation and conformity. As a Black person, you have a choice: submit or use your unique point of view.”
The ability to communicate those unique points of view clearly and persuasively is among the soft skills needed by professionals hoping to succeed in the media industry , adds Demuren.
This may include stepping out of your comfort zone, which Demuren actively does. encourages.
“I started my advertising career at a creative agency and remember being immersed in the process of pitching ideas to clients over and over again. It was scary, but very exciting — and that's how I started to feel confident in my abilities,” he says.
Demuren has since launched LinkedIn's Big Minds Collective, an online forum for leaders media and advertising, where they can share new ideas, strategies and perspectives.
“The sector has made progress in recent years, but we have a long way to go. go to close the inclusion gap. My advice to young black professionals starting their careers is that the advertising industry is hungry for talent and innovation, so embrace your uniqueness,” he says. » />Charlene Gravesand began her career at Sky in 2008 as a producer and is now an assistant producer. Photo: Black British Business Awards
Fellow finalist Charlene Gravesande also encourages the next generation of black professionals to always unapologetically stay true to themselves.
Sky Sports assistant producer says: “I would tell my younger self that she should never be afraid to use her voice and stand up what she believes in, even if she is the only one who does it.”< /p>
Fresh out of university, Gravesand began her career at Sky as a production manager in 2008. She recalls feeling “extremely intimidated” during her first interview at the broadcaster and suffering from impostor syndrome.
“When I arrived at Sky 15 years ago, I didn’t see many people who looked like me. neither on screen nor in post-production, and I felt enormous pressure to get the job,” she says.
Gravesande has since worked alongside the Sky Sports F1 team during their coverage of the Abu Grand Prix -Dabi in 2021, who received a Bafta Award.
She was also named the 2022 Sports Game Changer of the Year at the Great British Business Woman Awards in January. , just months after returning to work after recovering from PTSD.
“There is still a huge stigma around mental health and the portrayal of mental illness in the media remains negative,” she says . . “I want people to realize that people with mental health problems can have successful careers and become award winners.”
Having recently joined the broadcasters union Bectu's Black committee, Gravesande hopes to expand opportunities In sports. media industry for underrepresented communities.
“I hope the next generation doesn’t have to feel the pressure of being “the only one” in this work environment. I hope that those who follow me can enjoy going to an interview with a large corporation and live in the moment, rather than putting the burden of the entire community on their shoulders,” she says.
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