Member Interview with Eve Wright

We are delighted to bring you a Member Interview with Eve Wright, Head of Media, ITV

What’s your golden rule?

Never be afraid to ask the question! Rarely are you the only person wondering.

Who has been your biggest influence?

Without question, my dad. His philosophy is a balance of two things: 'If they can do it, so can I' and 'You aren’t owed a seat at the table; you earn one.' So I learnt early on that the while world is full of opportunity, and my potential is limitless, my results are entirely dependent on my effort. 

But also, because he taught us to pick something we love and base our career on it. He validated my love of tele at a very early age and encouraged me to find a way to make it my work. Here I am, all these years later, now working for the UK's biggest commercial broadcast and streaming brand!

What is your most hated business expression?

"Let's take this offline" especially in a post COVID world that see's most of those conversations followed up with another video call.

What’s the smartest business idea you’ve ever had?

Years ago I spent a small while obsessed with the idea of launching community wardrobes. In a modern world, it was essentially Hurr Collective meets your local library. A non-profit membership scheme, with entry granted through either a paid subscription or with credits gained via your own clothing donations. There was even ambition to roll in a Clueless-style Closet/ DREST app integration and all sorts. 

Which leader do you admire most and why?

It has to be David Wilding. 

Firstly, because every interaction with him is a blissfully joyful, curious and energising experience, meaning he is my absolute gold standard for people management. 

And secondly, because he has a rare level of integrity, he’s someone who puts his money (both income and energy) where his morals are. In an industry that has proven itself occasionally performative, he carries the authenticity I absolutely admire.

What is on your mind the most right now as a marketing leader?

It remains set on inclusive planning. The industry seems to have moved on slightly and yet so much of it is still using reductive targeting, ignoring algorithmic biases' and approaching audience planning with an equal, not equitable, approach. Considering the fragmentation of available products/ mediums/ content, I fear for the future of brands that don't adopt a more conscious approach to inclusive audience planning and cultural intelligence.

Why is being part of The Marketing Society important for your career?

It's a place that has collective curiosity meet a collective purpose. A source of inspiration, education and like-minded connections. An opportunity for us to all learn, to shape the culture we want for our industry and to meet some brilliant brains along the way. 

Why does marketing matter to you?

In my personal life I have an incredibly scattered, busy brain and that means small, day-to-day decision making is not something that comes easy to me. Marketing (when done well) helps to cut through that, to solve problems people maybe don't even yet realise they have, and I rather like having a helping hand in that.

Tell us something that’s not on your CV

Me, and both my siblings, have all appeared on ITV shows long before I started working with them. Me, The X Factor (no, not as a contestant), my younger brother Tenable (where he won a fair bit of cash) and my older brother Take Me Out (the less said about that the better!).