APEX in Profile: Jamie Martin
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Jamie Martin
Director
Library Media Solutions Limited
Jamie Martin joined LMS in 2011 after more than six years heading up TV strategy and acquisitions for Spafax Airline Network. He has worked directly with many of the major airlines, including British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways. Previously, Jamie also worked in the UK broadcast market buying for Living TV and in the international TV distribution market with Minotaur International.
The scariest situation you’ve ever been in?
The first time I started work in the distribution industry I had a sales trip to Belgium via Eurostar. I turned up bang on time to the terminal in Waterloo without realizing that you need your passport to travel via Eurostar! I was young, not particularly gifted, and terrified. Thank goodness my lovely company at the time decided not to sack me.
Biggest challenge you’ve overcome in your work?
Dealing with outdated views on the airline industry. One of the big drivers of our business is spending time in the wider broadcasting industry “selling” IFE to broadcasters or producers who may have an outdated idea of what our industry represents, yet they can often be heard educating the broadcast world about the importance of ancillary rights revenues. (This doesn’t apply to any of our lovely broadcast/production partners who have obviously have the good sense to recognize a worthwhile industry when they see it!)
Old television shows that you can tolerate endless reruns of?
Magnum P.I. (what can I say? helicopter, ‘stache, Ferrari), old episodes of Wheeler Dealers – sorry, A&E, you’ll probably shoot me for that but I would love to restore an old motor. And Pawn Stars. You so want things to be valuable but it’s great when big expectations meet cold, harsh reality.
Favorite book as a child?
I think the one which has always stuck with me is The Talisman, a co-authored Stephen King and Peter Straub creation. I must have been 12 or so when it came out and it was dark, scary and kinda awesome. The plot saw powers bestowed on a kid of around the same age as me that I still wish I could master now.
Two things that you miss most about home when you’re traveling?
I have a wife and two lovely kids (nearly six and eight), so obviously they’re right up there. However, I have recently bought a totally sweet new Panasonic TV – does it make me a bad person to rank that on par? Of course, it does… TV first, family second.
Luckiest moment of your life?
My move from broadcast TV to IFE. I had the chance to go out and enthuse the very same people in the broadcast industry that I had previously worked with about a new sector that is changing so fast, they constantly need re-educating on what our market can offer. We’re not necessarily shaping the TV or movie industry, but we’re consistently offering better platforms. Come on, advertisers: Look beyond the movies and get involved!