Coding Fingers Ready – It’s Best Of The Best Developers, Presented By Finecast, Part Of GroupM Nexus

Conjure an image of a developer into your mind’s eye — it might be a man, hunched over a laptop, half-empty bottles of Mountain Dew and half-eaten bags of Doritos on the desk. But, think again. Thankfully, developers these days could be anyone, from any background.
This Best of the Best list, presented by Finecast, part of GroupM Nexus, is designed to celebrate that diversity of background and talent. The advertising and marketing industries have never been more reliant on technology and it is only right that the people on this list are recognised for their work.
Though, there is a caveat. Pulling together this list was challenging. Many organisations outsource their development work to other locales across the APAC region where labour is cheaper — understandable from an accounting perspective but it means that Australia is somewhat lacking in the technical skills that we will need as a nation in the coming years.
Anyway, every week on B&T, we’re rounding up the best people in a range of disciplines across adland. Last week we had industry association chiefs (revisit that one HERE) and the week prior it was adland’s invaluable mentors (read that HERE). But, without further ado, here are the Best of the Best developers.
10. Craig Charlton, lead solutions architect, Magnite
Charlton has been with Magnite for almost four years, joining after the Rubicon Project and Telaria merger in February 2020. Now, he heads up the solutions architecture work across APAC for the sell-side exchange platform. Prior to this, he spent some seven years at Flashtalking and has been a key figure in Magnite’s growth over the years. Largely working behind the scenes, Charlton’s work and knowledge are absolutely essential to Magnite and its continued growth.
9. Shanaka Katugampala, senior full stack developer, Think HQ
Katugampala has been with Think HQ for nearly seven years and has become a n integral part of the team, creating engaging visual websites for clients including the Social Research Centre, Worksafe, Lumin and the Transport Accident Commission. He has also worked extensively with the Scanlon Foundation, developing both a purpose-built microsite to house the findings of its 2018 Mapping Social Cohesion report and creating an animated ebook to showcase its “All of Us” photography and video exhibition which was a celebration of our multicultural diversity.
8. Neil Anderson, solutions sales specialist APAC, DoubleVerify
Anderson joined DoubleVerify three years ago to bring his extensive adtech experience to the company. While his job title says sales, it belies his technical abilities. Anderson works with clients to manage discussions, testing and the troubleshooting of DoubleVerify’s solutions. With more than fifteen years of experience in the adtech landscape across the ANZ region having spent time with Google/DoubleClick, neo@Ogilvy, Lotame and Brandscreen, DoubleVerify has stood itself in very good stead with Anderson as part of the team.
7. Charles Pham, director of customer engineering APAC, impact.com
Pham was a nominee for the Technologist category in B&T‘s inaugural Best of the Best list in 2021. While he didn’t scoop the gong that year, we have it on very good authority that he has gone on to even bigger and better things in the past 24 months. Pham joined impact.com back in 2017 as an enterprise solutions architect. His rapid ascent through the ranks of the business, moving into an APAC role in November 2020, is a better marker than almost any other endorsement.
6. John Jee, head of digital technology, Paramount ANZ
Jee joined Paramount (when it was still called Network Ten) back in 2016 and has been responsible for driving technical strategy and execution across 10 Play. Jee led 10 Play’s unified platform development in 2020 and focused on creating premium, non-intrusive ad product integration for clients and viewers. Having spent more than a decade adtech, Jee has championed unique and engaging ad products to support sales and maximise 10 Play’s offering. Despite being one of the big bosses, however, he’s always ready to lend a hand or an ear to the rest of the company.
5. Ian Grant, head of technology delivery, oOh!media
Grant was recommended to us as “something of a tech superstar”. That’s a big recommendation but, considering that he has been the driving force behind oOh!’s content delivery initiatives, such as the real-time displaying of AFL Grand Final and Australian Open Scores across its network, it certainly fits. Without Grant and his leadership, oOh!’s transition to a programmatic-first Out-of-Home company would be nigh on impossible.
4. Puravin Sivaganam, head of engineering, Playground XYZ
Sivagnam took home the Developer gong at last year’s Best of the Best Awards. This year’s fourth-place finish does not mean that his work has worsened, just that the competition is tougher than ever. Last July, Sivaganam was promoted to become Playground XYZ’s head of engineering across the whole of the APAC region and the firm is certainly better for it. He leads a talented and dedicated engineering team at the firm who are helping to push the adtech and advertising sciences industry forward at a remarkable pace.
3. Cassie Jordan, head of delivery, Woolworths Group
Jordan scooped the Delivery gong at this year’s Women Leading Tech Awards bonanza and was a very deserving winner indeed. Working as the head of delivery at wiq, the advanced analytics collaboration between Woolworths Group & Quantium, Jordan has had a helluva job on her hands harmonising and integrating the two businesses. Responsible for the staffing and placements of more than 500 data professionals across disciplines such as data science, analytics, insights, engineering, machine learning, strategy, and product and design, Jordan’s task is unenviable but she carries it off with aplomb.
2. Adam Coates, managing director, data science & customer solutions engineering Asia Pacific, Google
Coates has spent nigh on 17 years at Google, starting out as a senior sales engineer way back in 2006. We’re sure he’ll appreciate us reminding you of that, as well. Since then, he’s rocketed up the ranks and took on his current role in November 2020. With his vast experience and leadership in adtech, online measurement, and analytics Google continues to go from strength to strength. His team work with some of the most important businesses within APAC and deliver brilliant products time after time.
1. Azadeh Khojandi, senior engineering manager, The Trade Desk
Khojandi took home the Tech category gong at this year’s B&T Women in Media Awards and deservedly so. She joined the company in 2021 and has been a pivotal factor in the business’ growth and was promoted into her current role in April. However, this belies her inspiring story. She fled her native Iran 13 years ago after facing systematic and systemic discrimination because she was a woman and even state-mandated violence during protests about women’s rights. During her work at The Trade Desk, she has spearheaded the creation of the “Women in TTD” internal network that helps its female employees develop the soft skills necessary to progress in their careers. She also leads GEEQ, the not-for-profit charity that helped almost 6,000 women develop their technical and soft skills to get promotions, pay raises and recognition for their work.
Please login with linkedin to comment
Best of the bestLatest News

Sunday TV Ratings: Tommy Little Makes X-Rated Joke On The Hundred With Andy Lee Christmas Special
If there was ever a time to give up on life & revert solely to the couch, it has to be the coming six weeks of summer.

The Clock Is Ticking On Cannes In Cairns Super Early Bird Tickets
As we know, the early bird gets the worm. That said, had the worm stayed in bed, he wouldn't have become breakfast.

B&T’s Campaign Of The Month November 2023 – Innocean’s Powerful White Ribbon Work
The B&T brains trust has got together to award November's ad of the month. And trust us, there ain't a heap of brains.

X Adds 10 Million Users In A Week & Reinstates Conspiracy Theorist Account
In possibly further confirmation that there's no such thing as bad press comes news of Twitter's audience booty.

Samsonite Proves Its “Seriously Tough” In New Campaign From TRP
Why does B&T feel that Schapelle Corby would be the perfect brand ambassador for Samsonite travel luggage.

Industry Endorses New Nielsen Solution To Total TV & Cross-Platform Measurement Delivery
Are TV numbers your thing? Then mark this a must-read. However, B&T's not excluding radio or outdoor people either.

“Not Often I See One Of These In The Wild” – Adam Ferrier Praises Amazon’s Christmassy OOH
Here's a fun bus stop activation from the guys at Amazon. B&T can confirm that Jeff didn't catch said bus.

Greenpeace Mauls Unilever’s Dove Over Terrifying Use Of Plastics
Global soap brand asked to clean up its act. Yes, that's about the best play on words you're going to get today.

Reports: Police DID Receive Allegations Against Alan Jones
You can now add Alan Jones to both Bruce Lehrmann & Ben Roberts-Smith for dreadful stories that just won't go away.

UNE Launches School Leaver Campaign Via Engine Group
Is 2024 the year of the "brilliant new you"? This uni ad could resonate, as could a pack of Schwarzkopf hair dye.

Morgan Stanley: Retail Media Will Steal $1.1b From Aussie Media Owners
Work in traditional media? Had a really shit 2023? Feel the knife twist a little more with this latest ad spend data.

Yes, It’s Ronan Keating! Yes, It’s A Funny Christmas Beer Ad!
Yes, we're breaking B&T's editorial charter today as we overrule "rule four, chapter 13 - never let Ronan Keating sing."

Eagle Eye’s Jonathan Reeve On How Retail Marketers Can Use Technology To Transform Christmas
Hoping to squeeze that extra dollar out of your Christmas customer? Put the wring into the cha-ching with this news.

Gumtree Appoints G Squared To Drive Search
Gumtree appoints G Squared to drive search. And that's despite the "no hawkers or canvassers" sign on the front door.

“Maybe Stop Having More Kids With People You Just Met” – Tammy Hembrow Roasted By Followers After Announcing Engagement
Think the daily news cycle is slowing down pre-Christmas? Confirm it with this D-grade celeb rubbish.

New Business Wins For We Scout
Indie comms agency We Scout announces new business wins. Well, you'd hardly announce new business losses, would you?

Dentsu Forecasts 2024 Global Ad Spend To Grow By 4.6%
Latest dentsu report looks promising for global ad spends overall. It's looking far less promising for Alan Jones.

JOLT Partners With Polestar On New Campaign Debunking “Range Anxiety”
EV charging station JOLT unveils "range anxiety" campaign. Yet, nothing on EV owners boring everyone to death.

Zenith Wins Superloop’s Media
The Zenith Christmas party set to be a wholly more bawdy, jolly soirée after agency nabs end-of-year win.

Acast Total Payout To Podcasters Surpasses $30M
Yes, AI's been grabbing all the headlines over the past 12 months, but read on as podcasting says "hold my beer".

Doritos Champions Infamous Orange Dust In New Campaign Via VaynerMedia, TRIO & Mango Communications
There's three absolute givens at any B&T bash - the Jatz, the Dorito and the fruity lexia.

Alan Jones Threatens To Sue Nine Papers Over Indecent Assault Allegations
Why does B&T get the feeling that Alan might actually enjoy a stint in an all-male prison?

Adobe: Calming Rhythms, Nostalgia & Wonder & Joy Set To Dominate Creativity
Be first to read the Adobe Creative Trends 2024 Report here. And there's sparse news for fans of the knickerbocker.

Archibald Williams Wins NBA Digital, Activation & Fan Engagement Accounts For APAC
Independent brand and digital agency, Archibald Williams (AW) has been appointed to lead the NBA account across the APAC region. The NBA is one of the most prestigious sporting leagues in the world and basketball is one of the fastest-growing sports in Australia. Effective immediately, AW said it was “excited” to work across all digital, […]

Tennis Bad Boy Nick Kyrgios To Create New Athlete Content On OnlyFans
Tennis brat takes time off from embarrassing the nation to reveal new social media initiative.

Before Adland: The Media Store’s Sam Cousin’s Journey From Parisienne Nanny To Chief Strategy Officer
B&T's shining a light on industry folk prior to adland. Preference given to anyone purporting actual UFO abduction.

Thursday TV Ratings: Seven’s Big Bash Debuts To Sluggish 318K
The fact that it's December, meteorologically confirms summer is officially here. Cricket just gives it a nudge along.

Spotify CFO Walks As Problems Grow For Streaming Giant
Spotify CFO heads for the Spotify exits. Has requested "Don't You Forget About Me" as preferred leaving song.

TV Reporter Gives Withering Takedown After Being Fat Shamed Live On Air
Haven't yelled "you go, girl" for some time now? Clear the throat and ready the fist pumps with this overnight news.

BBC Presenter Left Red-Faced After Sticking Middle Finger Up LIVE-ON-AIR!
B&T warns this article contains gesticulations readers may find offensive. Yet, nothing you don't see driving every day.

QMS Champions Creativity As First Most Contagious APAC 2023 Sponsor
Leading digital outdoor company QMS has announced it is the first-ever inaugural partner for Most Contagious APAC, the landmark London event by creative and strategic intelligence company Contagious, which will be showcased in Australia on Tuesday, 12 December in Sydney and Wednesday, 13 December in Melbourne. Most Contagious is an event that delivers key advertising […]

OMG’s Annalect First To Get Meta’s Advanced Analytics
Omnicom’s data and analytics division Annalect has partnered with Meta, giving it access to Advanced Analytics (AA) – one of Meta’s privacy-focused measurement solutions – to provide Omnicom’s clients with future-proof, next-level measurement. Omnicom is the first holding company to have access to AA. AA allows advertisers to combine their first-party data with Meta’s ads […]

Foxtel Wins Exclusive Multi-Year Rights Extension With International Cricket Boards
Are you such a weird cricket tragic you even watch games when NOT played in Australia? Foxtel has exciting news for you.

News Corp Launches One-Off Taylor Swift Mag Ahead Of Aussie Tour
Thought we'd reached peak Tay Tay overload? News Corp declares "f@ck that" with a new print iteration.

It’s Quiz Time: Team B&T Got 100% – Can You?
Take B&T's Friday trivia, outrageously cheat, & go into the draw to win a $100 booze voucher! Alcohol & con artistry!

AKQA Launches Eco-Conscious AI DIY Assistant Encouraging People To Gift More Sustainably
WPP’s AKQA has launched Fixmas.gift, an environmentally conscious AI-powered DIY assistant, affectionately known as Fixie, for a one-stop solution for all things repair. Fixmas.gift hosts an array of guides and inspiration to empower people to prolong the lives of their belongings or purchase pre-owned items that need a little love and care. Fixie can: Help […]