Unlockd Boss Matt Berriman Steps Down Due To Mental Health Issues
The founder of Aussie adtech start-up Unlockd, Matt Berriman, has stepped down as CEO to focus on his mental health.
Berriman announced his decision to step down from the business he started three years ago via an open letter published yesterday on Medium, in which he bravely revealed he has been battling bipolar disorder for the last 15 months.
“It has not been an easy journey [building Unlockd], and as many of my fellow founders can attest to, it’s required me to pour blood, sweat and tears (and all of my money) into the business,” he wrote.
“Throughout the journey I began to experience symptoms, which I attributed for far too long to stress, lack of sleep and the start-up roller-coaster. What I did not know at the time was I was fighting a battle with bipolar disorder.
“Over the last 15 months, despite continuous and multi-faceted treatments, I’m still struggling to return to my optimal holistic health, and as a result, I now need to put a larger commitment in place to concurrently prioritise my health with my commitment to Unlockd.”
Berriman said he will instead take on a role as executive director of Unlockd, focusing on major shareholder relations, overall strategic direction and corporate development.
“This will allow me to continue influencing the growth and future of the business, whilst also giving me the required space to make my health a priority,” he explained.
“This has been an agonising decision professionally and personally, especially knowing the public nature of our business and those that surround it. However, great companies don’t rely on one person, and Unlockd is no different.”
Unlockd’s chief operating officer, Jane Martino, will replace Berriman as CEO.
“This is a role she has effectively been playing for some time now behind the scenes as I continued balancing my own personal health challenges with being the founder and CEO,” Berriman said.
“The success of the business is significantly attributable to her operational control, and in addition to the qualities she exhibits as a person leave me in total confidence and faith of her succeeding me as CEO.”
Please login with linkedin to comment
-
Latest comments
-
Anne Miles 2 years agoCongratulations for the bravery to openly discuss this issue. It is time mental health became equal to physical health in our focus. I have family with mental health issues and at times dreamed of them having cancer instead – hard to imagine. I work with businesses that do a lot of good in this arena, but it is certainly a long road ahead. People really don’t understand it. Like someone (I can’t remember who) said ‘No one is at your door with a casserole for you when you have someone with mental illness in your home’. I admire Matt Berriman for his complete honesty, and for B&T without sensationalising it either.
Many people with mental illness lead productive and engaged lives, and learn to make the best of it. (To be honest, potentially there are many that have gone undiagnosed in our industry!)
All the best to Matt.
Latest News
TV Market Ad Revenue Dives As It Records $3.4B In FY19-20, Down 13.7%
TV ad revenues plummet 13.7%. Still, it could be worse, they could be in the airline business or flogging cruises.
Times Are A Changin’: Now Is The Time For A Marketing Rethink
This headline does pay a nod to the 1964 Bob Dylan song. Which, admittedly, is far better than nodding to Shannon Noll.
Roger Federer Surprises Two Girls In Rooftop Tennis Match In Absolute Thriller From Barilla
If you didn't already love Roger, you'll adore him after this. Unless you find tennis a bore & have no idea who he is.
Publicis Executive Tom Goodwin Exits Following Controversial COVID Tweet
Tom Goodwin's exit is further confirmation why mixing a second bottle of vino & social media make for ill-bedfellows.
Impact Releases Tactical Guide For Optimising Revenue From Partnership Automation Programmes
Did you wake up today thinking "I need a tactical guide for optimising revenue"? Let your premonition come true here.
Design Studio Nightjar Launches Publisher Platform For Sneaker Freaker
Sydney-based design and technology studio Nightjar have launched a new website for Sneaker Freaker. Founded in 2002, the street culture magazine is the first and only international footwear magazine. From its roots as a DIY-style fanzine to today’s global coverage, its print pages and online platforms document every colab, custom, limited edition, retro reissue, Quickstrike, Hyperstrike […]
Former Haystac Head Of Strategy Launches PR Toolkit For Small Businesses
Haystac’s former National Head of Strategy, Haylie Marchant (pictured) has launched The PR Toolkit – an online resource and DIY PR platform educating and empowering small and medium sized businesses to do their own PR. Offering a mix of free resources and easy-to-use how to guides, the one-stop-shop for DIY PR covers media relations, media […]
China Moves To Block Microsoft’s Acquisition Of TikTok
Forget the 5G network, is TikTok spreading the coronavirus? Yes, that's a baseless conspiracy theory B&T just concocted.
Aussie Journalist Jonathan Swan Goes Viral Following Truly Chaotic Donald Trump Interview
Aussie journo's Trump interview becomes instant viral hit, displacing dancing cats & man hit in balls with baseball bat.
Study Finds Kids Are Eating Mac & Cheese For Breakfast, So Kraft Rebrands It As A Brekkie Food
There's no finer breakfast than leftover pizza, so despite B&T's pithy hand-wringing here, we've really got no right to.
PubMatic And LiveRamp Combine Forces For Cookieless Solution
Despite B&T's image choice here, by "cookies" we mean the internet browser thing, not the tasty girl guide's version.
Tuesday TV Wrap: Anh’s Brush With Fame Series Return Paints A Pretty Picture For ABC
Lisa Wilkinson was the star on Anh last night & thankfully didn't shitcan Karl or mention that dreadful husband of hers.
Snapchat Debuts First-Ever B2B Marketing Campaign
Be the very first to see Snapchat's first-ever B2B campaign right here. Unless you already saw it on AdNews, that is.
Malcolm Turnbull & Janine Allis Elevate BIPOC Voices In Australia With New Series
One Love Australia has launched a new social change initiative that will see a raft of high profile individuals, including former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Boost Juice’s founder, Janine Allis, take part in a video interview series set to turn racism on its head. The initiative – titled #ShareThePlatform – will see these […]
Asics Australia Launches First Women’s Cricket Shoe
Female cricketers no longer forced to wear shoes constructed from sap & matted vine leaves following Asics launch.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland Appoints Marketing Manager
As this press photo reveals, being a Tropical North Queensland marketer doesn't require a hibiscus-print muumuu & lay.
Omnicom’s Resolution Digital Named As Google Honours Agency Of The Quarter
Resolution Digital has been awarded the Australia’s Agency of the Quarter award in the prestigious Google Honours program. The Honours program for 2020 recognises the achievements of the very best performance marketing agencies and providers across Australia and New Zealand. The program consists of 3 quarters, 43 agencies and over 500 individuals; measured on account […]
SCA Launches New Media Research & Insights Division
SCA launches new media research and insights division. Still wheeling out 'Run To Paradise', however.
Audi Pulls Ad, Apologises For Dangerous, “Phallic” Campaign
Proving the Germans are fallible comes this f@ck-up from Audi. Had Milli Vanilli and the zungenwurst not confirmed it.
Audiences Are Coming Back, Says Global Out Of Home Industry Leaders
"Audiences are back" declares global OOH leaders. Arguably that's not the case in Victoria, but definitely elsewhere.
Perth Agency Firefly Adds Six New Accounts & Launches New Media Arm
Firefly has brought on six major new clients as it continues to expand, adding new media planning and buying arm to its business. Managing Director Andrew Mathwin (pictured) said the independent agency, known for clients such as Air New Zealand, Buy West Eat Best, West Coast Eagles and Mrs Mac’s Pies, had a strong year […]
Media33 Announces Two Senior Promotions
Sadly, B&T had to axe our "beard of the week" competition amid claims of sexism. Yet how appropriate would it be here?
Independent Brewer Wingman Cancels All Sales For A Month In Support Of Dry July
B&T always happy to lend support to an independent brewer such is our dependancy on their brewing.
AAP Sale Formalised, Confirms Name To Be Retained
AAP sale has been formalised amid reports one of the i's didn't get dotted and a t didn't get crossed.
Aussie Success Story Afterpay Unveils New Brand Identity
Afterpay unveils new brand identity it insists it didn't pinch from the Freemason's secret handshake.
Women in Media’s Doris Li: “Listen To Your Heart And Go For It, Then Settle For Extraordinary”
If this headline is anything to go by here, it'll be an entirely "new you" by the time you get through the rest of it.
Study: New Business Wins Still Resilient, But Creative Finding It Tougher Going Than Media
Always thought that media was a far cushier lark than hacking around in creative? Confirm your fears with this news.
I’m Not Loving ‘Karens’, For What They Highlight About Our Society
The wonderful irony of people hating on 'Karens' is they can often sound very Karen-esque while doing it.
Telstra Calls In ABC Comic Mark Humphries To Hilariously Debunk 5G Conspiracy Theories
B&T finds the 5G conspiracy theories truly laughable, except Bill Gates wanting to microchip us all. That appears legit.
The Mint Partners Wins Pernod Ricard, Cemoy & Little National
Independent communications consultancy The Mint Partners has bolstered its integrated client roster and signed a number of premium lifestyle brands to kick start the new financial year. With an array of new products, services, and a focus on insight-led and creative integrated communications, MINT has enjoyed recent success with an expanded portfolio across new categories including fintech, […]
