A Q&A with Hayley Sharp
Hayley Anne Sharp – Managing Director Vox Media
Recent Posts
About Vox Media
Vox Media is the leading independent modern media company. Known for building the best media brands and the technology that enables them, we are committed to building a better future for the industry — and getting the future of media right.
Our portfolio features the most relevant and respected editorial properties across the biggest consumer categories, including: Vox, New York Magazine, The Verge, The Cut, Eater, Vulture, The Strategist, Polygon, SB Nation, Intelligencer, Curbed, Grub Street and Recode. Off-platform, the Vox Media Podcast Network is one of the largest collections of popular podcasts spanning technology, news, pop culture, futurism, everything women are talking about, and more. And Vox Media Studios is the award-winning nonfiction production and distribution studio for multiple TV and streaming partners.
I started my career in print magazines coaxed into the industry by the opportunity to work within women’s glossy’s, but as quickly as I entered the magazine world I saw the huge opportunity ahead within the digital space. At that point in time, there was no Instagram or Pintrest and focus lay on carrying the prestige and history of a magazine brand over to a .com environment by leveraging technology innovation and design. I was hooked!
I joined Vox Media by way of the GroupNine acquisition with the opportunity to expand the Internaitonal remit for the business. My goal is to help modern marketers across the world connect with our audience of 529mm modern consumers through integrated content and media campaigns across digital, social, audio and video.
The biggest challenge I’ve faced was doing my first launch of a US company Internationally. I was under 30 and overwhelmed by the requirement of building an infrastruce and launching a media entity.. Seven years and three commercial launches later I would say that first launch helped not only helped develeop my leadership skills and business acumen but it really taught me the power of resillance and self belief.
I worked for my last manager, Geoff Schiller, for seven years and his stewardship, drive and passion combined with an unwavering support and empathy is what I’ll forever strive to replicate in my own leadership. Whilst great managers offer guidance and support, true mentorship is hard to come by and I feel fortunate to have been part of his leadership for so long.
‘Not all storms come to disrupt your life. Some come to clear your path’
Find a job you love and you’ll never feel like you’re working’ – As cliched as this sounds it could not be more true. When you’re starting early on in your carrer you may think you need to find what you love instaneously, but don’t rush, take time to explore different roles and opprotunties and when you find the carrer that is right for you, you’ll know.
Optimistic, Resilant and Tenacious
I believe the’ll be greater prominence and accountability on the ad markets sustainabile footprint. Whether offering Carbon off-set as part of an Ad Buy, or ensuring corporate-sustainaable initatives are interwoven across all creative messaging I believe, and hope, the industry will collaborate and strive towards building a better future together.