Robert Kay
Vice President, Customer Success – Asia Pacific, Integral Ad Science, Singapore
Bachelor of Business in Information Systems and Marketing
One of the benefits of working in advertising is that you’re always on the cutting edge of technology, says business alumnus Robert Kay who is now based in Singapore and working for Integral Ad Science, a global leader in digital media and advertising.
“I love being so close to the innovation that helps advertisers, publishers and platforms drive more value from their digital advertising dollars. I’m responsible for leading a team of 20 customer success managers across four offices in the Asia Pacific region. My role involves driving strategy, global alignment and go-to-market tactics to best deliver value for our clients via IAS products and services.
“What I enjoy most about my career is working with an extremely smart, dedicated and passionate group of people every day, joining together to fight the good fight.”
Considered one of the top young marketers, Robert is proud of the opportunities he has had in his career so far.
“Being recognised for a few industry awards has been hugely satisfying, but the achievement I’m most proud of is reaching regional leadership roles across Europe and Asia. I’ve been lucky to have been given opportunities that hold significant global responsibility. That has really accelerated my growth and allowed me to develop into a well-rounded international business leader.”
The right choice
For Robert, his journey into the world of marketing started with enrolling in AUT’s Bachelor of Business; a qualification he completed in 2012.
“I’d decided pretty early on that AUT was the right place for me. My older sister is an AUT alumna, and she always talked about how her time at AUT enabled her to get real-life experience in her field before going on to work for some great companies like PwC and Deloitte. I had my mind set on AUT before leaving high school, and when I was awarded an AUT Vice Chancellor’s Significant Student Scholarship that made my decision even easier.”
His studies offered him the perfect launchpad for his business career.
“Professionally speaking, the practical nature of learning and development at AUT allowed me to transition into a career quite seamlessly. In particular, the final-year workplace experience was an opportunity that wasn’t available at other universities.
“On a personal level, AUT gave me an excellent platform to network with not only fellow fresh undergraduates but also people who had already started their professional careers and came with a wealth of working experience that could help close the gap between theory and real life. I met some lifelong friends at AUT, and many of them have gone on to become successful in their own respective fields, from entrepreneurship to leadership in Fortune 500 companies.”
Finding his passion
While he has many fond memories of his time at university, Robert especially remembers one particular lecturer and a suggestion that would prove to be life-changing.
“In my final year at AUT, I remember Associate Professor Harminder Singh coming to me at the end of the semester to talk to me about how my skillset would fit a graduate programme he had been working on with the VivaKi search hub, working with some of the most talented people in search across Australia and New Zealand.
“I didn’t know it at the time but it would lead me into a placement with an advertising agency that I would spend almost three years at; a place where I would find my passion for digital advertising and technology.”
His advice for other students is simple: put yourself out there.
“Make use of the networks and relationships that AUT will present you with. Take risks and become relentlessly obsessed with whatever you do.”
