Our ‘Profile: A Day in the Life of’ feature takes a look at some of the global professionals working across performance marketing. It aims to shed light on the varying roles and companies across the flourishing industry. This week we head to Moscow to meet Anton Melekhov.
Name:
Anton Melekhov.
Job title and company:
Country Manager, RTB House – Russia.
In one sentence, how would you describe what the company does?
RTB House specialises in display advertising tailored to users’ personal interests, with a special focus on solutions for manufacturers.
What are the company’s unique selling points?
RTB House implements unique RTB solutions for manufacturers globally. We aim at providing online ad effectiveness where there was vacuum before. Our digital marketing tools for manufacturers allow them to harness the dormant online potential of cooperation with e-stores and review sites. We also provide support in local languages to solve complex and region-specific challenges.
Within the last six months/year, what stands out as the company’s major milestones?
In the past two years we’ve launched successfully in over 30 markets. From my perspective, our next big milestone will be our expansion of unique products for manufacturers in the Russian market. After particular success in European markets, we anticipate that Russia will see even greater results with our tools. Even in spite of the complex economic situation currently in the Russian market.
Duration in current role:
January 2015 – I’m quite new on board!
Where are you based?
I’m based in Moscow, partly working from home spending time and taking care of my small son.
Previous performance marketing-related companies you have worked at:
Previously, I worked in research and analytics at Gemius, an online ad consulting firm and before that I was in sales at Sanoma and Avanta Personnel.
What are your main job responsibilities?
My main role is to expand the RTB House brand on the Russian market via attracting new clients. This primarily involves showing manufacturers how they can benefit from the rise of real-time bidding. In addition, I take care of the financial stuff – a spread that is familiar to anyone within a fast-growing business with ambitious goals!
Take us through what you get up to on a typical working Monday:
Every day starts with a task list planned each week. First thing is talks with our regional sales director about short term activities and plans for company growth. During the first half, I usually spend time talking to clients and checking the status of their campaigns that have moved forward over the weekend. Instead of lunch, I prefer to go to the gym for about an hour. Then I focus on sales for the remainder of the day.
What top three websites can you be found browsing during your lunch hour?
During the workday you can find me on three websites. Facebook is the first, because in Russia we use it very actively for business contacts. LinkedIn is up there too, which helps me find new contacts. Then there’s Adindex.ru, a website which provides the latest information on market movements, especially in Russia.
What are your top three tips for someone looking to get their hands on a job like yours?
Be patient, hardworking and efficient in closing tasks. Take constant care of your clients, stay in touch with your partners often, and respect and follow your competitors. One of the most important factors to work is: when you give somebody your word, give 100% to make sure it gets done. One personal tip: you need to love your job in order to stay truly “hands on”- even for the small issues.
Career-wise, where do you see yourself in three years’ time?
I would love it if I had built RTB House as a top brand in Russia, with a large and growing portfolio of key manufacturers in Russian industries. For me personally, I see myself as a proud, successful country manager with a team of brilliant co-workers.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
We have the same problem with my wife – can spend a big sum on clothes.