E02 How I Became CEO of dentsu X | Beth Freedman
Episode description
In 2020 Dentsu International, a global advertising group with 45,000+ staff and net revenue of $8.4bn were looking for a new CEO of dentsu X.
Beth was Managing Director of gyro UK.
A colleague recommended she applied.
Her reaction?
"They'll laugh if I apply"
After speaking with friends, she changed her mind….
She entered her application on the final day. This would be her first role as CEO...
Tune in to hear what happens next..
Topics discussed:
- Growing up in the USA
- Inspired by female role models
- Leading coaching sessions for 100 American Football players aged 20 years old
- Writing a thesis on the representation of women in sport
- Securing her dream move from the USA to London
- Being labelled ‘not ambitious enough’ in the interview for her first Managing Director role
- Overcoming the inner voice telling you you're not ready to step up to CEO
- The process of applying and interviewing for a CEO role
- What do you do in your first days as a CEO for the first time
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Working with the American football team
(00:11:19) The College Football Experience
(00:21:58) Job Hunting and Starting at Griffin Bacall
(00:33:02) Transition to a New Job
(00:43:53) A Career Minded Decision
(00:54:59) Finding My Leadership Voice
(01:05:40) Adjusting to Different Environments and Roles
(01:16:23) Joining as CEO and Building Connections
(01:26:55) Taking Care of Our People
(01:38:34) Technical Difficulties
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Episode Sponsor:
Email: [email protected]
This is a UNIFY Podcast. Produced by Unity & Motion
Credits:
Director: Charles Parkinson
Poet & VO Artist: Ashley Samuels-McKenzie
Sound Recordist: Paolo Neri
Editor: Yuqi Tang