Staying Human in a Digital World
Chris Mulvaney is the CEO of CMDS. I make things... I’m the creative entrepreneur with passion for (re)making brands and inventing solutions to problems no one knows exist.
Temi Mehta Shows Us the Importance of Being Real in a Cyber Industry
Temilyn Mehta, VP of Client Services at CMDS for almost eight years, makes digital marketing human. With a background in public relations and in the pharmaceutical industry, her viewpoint is that there is a real person behind every computer screen. Juxtaposing that experience with being a pioneer in the digital marketing industry has enabled her to bring a holistic approach to her clients, while at the same time, providing them with tailored digital services.
Temi, what makes you a digital rock star at CMDS?
My strength here is being able to put all the pieces together. I take the concerns and challenges businesses are going through and realize what circumstances have led them to where they are and where they need to be. I like to be able to provide an authentic approach to it all by keeping it authentic and understanding the human psyche.
What is the one technology trend within your industry that cannot be ignored?
VOICE – it’s a whole other universe. However much we know about digital now, voice is flipping a lot of it on its head. How someone speaks and how someone types are two very different approaches. Typing has a certain intent behind it, but in many cases, and with more and more of these voice devices sitting in your kitchen, there is not as much intent behind the search. Individuals are in between cooking and doing homework with their kids while firing off questions to Alexa to multi-task.
From our end, how do we get the right content or products in front of individuals now in this whole other world.
One word that best describes how you work.
Authentic.
What apps/tools/software can you not live without?
I have a few. While I work in the digital industry, I couldn’t live without my old-school three-ring planner. At the same time, I love google calendar for scheduling my day and meetings with clients / colleagues I LIVE within Sharpspring, our fantastic CRM / relationship management / email automation / website insights tool. It has changed how we market here at CMDS and has revolutionized business for so many of our clients.
What you wanted to be when you grew up.
A psychologist. More specifically, a high school psychology teacher. When I realized that you had to be a history teacher to become a psychology teacher, I changed course. I did NOT want to be a history teacher…and opted for a way I could use my desire to help and understand people in another way, marketing.
A person you idolized early in your life.
My dad. He taught me to work hard, be infinitely curious, and enjoy the journey.
First concert you saw.
Duran Duran.
Always on your playlist.
Sting, U2, Phil Collins – they will always be on my playlist.
Favorite project you ever worked on at CMDS and why?
CMDS was hired to create ideas and concepts for a global clinical trial portal for an international pharmaceutical company based in Germany. The challenge was to create a portal that would make clinical trials more accessible to people from all over the world, keeping in mind their cultural and language differences, while understanding the mindset they were under. We were flown to Germany to pitch our ideas and present our work. It was a pretty great experience on all levels!
Best part of your job?
I love dealing with people and helping them every single day in my little way. That’s how I live my life.
What you love to do in your downtime – who are you when you are not being a digital CMDS rock star?
I love spending time with my two kids and my husband.
What’s the best advice you ever received?
It was a twisted piece of advice but it brought me to where I am today. I was once told that in order to succeed in the company I was working at, I “had to be quiet, dumb myself down and bake.” That was disconcerting and really hard to hear as a woman in my thirties. However, it empowered and emboldened me. It made me realize how smart and truly capable I was and that I wasn’t willing to put up with or allow my voice to dimmed.