Australian Interactive Media Industry Association welcomes new board of directors for 2017

The Australian Interactive Media Industry Association (AIMIA) has today announced the appointment of eight board of directors to serve on its board.

Says Jodie Sangster, CEO, AIMIA: “Appointing AIMIA’s new board was a rigorous process, but I’m delighted to have such great representatives from Australia’s digital industry join us as we strive to provide our members with strategic guidance, direction and advice. We are now living in a world where digital technology sits at the forefront of our lives and it is therefore crucial that AIMIA advances digital innovation through education. I’m confident that the new board is more than equipped to drive and shape the future of our digital-led economy.”

The new AIMIA board comprises of: Taryn Williams, founder and CEO at TheRight.Fit; Nick Wong, digital director at Bupa Australia; Diego Trigo, executive technical director of Holler; Angus Stevens, managing director, Australia at Start VR; Dan Fisher, digital customer experience manager at Qantas; and Collette Van Rooyen, marketing manager – digital experience at ING Direct. Chairing the board is Nima Yassini (pictured above), CEO of New Republique with vice chair being Karen Lewis, head of digital at Employsure.

Says Yassini: “The board and I are delighted to be part of the re-engineering of such an iconic brand within the Australian digital industry. For many years AMIA shaped and guided the digital landscape and now under the stewardship of ADMA we have a new platform to help take Australia’s digital industry into the future.

“We have selected each member to give the board an even view across the digital landscape covering agencies; brands with digital teams and pure play digital businesses. We are excited by our appointment and aim to work on the issues that make a big difference to all our members and industry as a whole.”

The new directors

Angus Stevens made the shift into digital after more than a decade of directing TVCs, documentaries and brand marketing comms. His first big digital-led project was launching Southern Cross Austereo’s digital video strategy, before moving on to establish Nova Entertainment’s websites as the faster growing entertainment sites in Australia. Stevens was headhunted by Start VR, the country’s leading dedicated virtual reality studio, to first be its director of creative services and as of late last year now holds the role of managing director.

Collette Van Rooyen joined ING Direct this year to oversee the rollout of some of the bank’s most innovative, new product services. Her experience has spanned a host of impressive companies including CommBank, Domain, Seek, travel.com.au, ninemsn and Cars guide. An experienced online operator, Van Rooyen is passionate about the role technology okays in making everyday tasks easier, more accessible and engaging.

Dan Fisher currently leads the Qantas digital direct channel strategy, including shaping and executing the vision for qantas.com and the Qantas app. Currently undergoing an end-to-end transformation, qantas.com is Qantas’ key booking channel, taking over a third of the airline’s bookings. Previously Fisher was multimedia executive producer and deputy network editor at News Corp Australia, leading the network’s interactive storytelling through major news events. Fisher is said to be passionate about the intersection of commerce and design and the role emotion and context play in building winning digital experiences.

Diego Trigo first moved to Australian from Brazil in 2010 and has worked across multiple industries and roles. In the 7 years since he’s been here, he has worked on brands such as such as Audi, Heineken, Foxtel, Mazda, Telstra, GE, Village Group, Suncorp, Virgin, Pepsi, Hungry Jacks, GE, Mars Group, and Toshiba. Trigo has more than 15 years of experience in software/web/hardware development and prior to his role as Holler’s executive technical director, worked as CHE Proximity’s technical director and Clemenger BBDO Sydney’s head of digital technology.

Karen Lewis is an advocate for digital innovation and women in tech. With 15 years of digital strategy, marketing and UX/CX experience for brands such as David Jones, Citibank and Woolworths under her belt, Lewis is a master in building better digital experiences. Prior to heading up digital at Employsure, Lewis helmed digital marketing divisions across many industries including financial services, retail and travel.

Nick Wong oversees Bupa Australia’s strategy and operational delivery of digital capability and projects, with multifunctional digital teams across Melbourne and Sydney. Wong moved from the UK to Australia three years ago, where he held the position of director of digital at British Telecom (BT). During his time at BT, Wong was responsible for leading the transformation of digital sales and service into primary engagement channels, whilst delivering digital pathways for new media and technology businesses including BT Sport.

Nima Yassini has over 20 years experience in Australian, UK and US digital markets. He has worked in the industry since the dotcom boom, bust and the re-emergence. During this time, he has played a pivotal role in the growth and implementation of digital solutions around the world such as HSBC, Bayer, Barclays, Nestle, Coca Cola, Zurich, Tourism SA, Rimmel London. In 2012, Creative Magazine announced Yassini as one of the Power 30 Individuals within the advertising industry. He also held a judging position with the globally renowned interactive awards, The Webby Awards.

Taryn Williams is one of Australia’s most prolific entrepreneurs in the tech start-up and media industry. Her influencer and talent platform, TheRight.Fit, is used by major advertising agencies and brands to link up with the best and brightest talent for their jobs. She has received numerous awards accolades over the course of her career including being named a Finalist in B&T’s ‘Hot 30 under 30′, SmartCompany’s ’30 under 30’ and Women’s Agenda ‘Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year.