Audible Sound Bites with Jo Wallace

Jo Wallace works on Audible’s Global Corporate Affairs team, leading PR and Corporate Communications for customers in Asia and the Pacific (APAC). Based out of our Sydney, Australia hub, Jo ensures people in Australia, India and Japan are informed about new Original content, product features and developments at Audible. She also helps to lead our impact initiatives in the APAC region.

Would you describe your role at Audible?

The main focus of my role is to help increase visibility of our brand and desirability for our service across APAC, a region that is incredibly diverse with language, marketplace maturity and media landscapes. I also act as a trusted advisor within the company, connecting the dots, understanding where we need to go as a business and ensuring that’s communicated in the way that best reflects our brand and everything we stand for.

What made you choose to work at Audible?

Finding my way to Audible can be described as a manifestation! I had finished a senior communications role and was consulting while I considered my next move, and worked with a career psychologist to delve into all the things that inspire me and give me energy in my work. When a recruiter approached me for this Audible role, it was unbelievable. The description was essentially a culmination of all of my past experiences rolled into one—my extensive communications experience, passion for storytelling, experience in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors, public policy work, Japanese language and more—all in a dynamic, creative industry. I felt like the job description had been written for me!

What’s a People Principle that you embody in your day-to-day work?

Our five People Principles were an important reason for me to join Audible. All of them really struck a chord with me. “Activate Caring” particularly underpins everything I do and the way I do it. I always go back to the “why” of what we do. I’m passionate about sharing stories and creating a deeper understanding across cultures in order to make the world a better place. 

I’m delighted to be leading Audible’s impact initiatives for the APAC region. It’s a great way for me to bring my community-building experience to the work that I do, and I’m excited about growing this further.

Can you give an example of our impact work in APAC?

Last year I was fortunate enough to join our first-ever volunteer experience in India. We collaborated with Feeding From Far and, together with some of my colleagues from our India team, we packed food ration kits for families in Dharavi, Mumbai. Giving back to the community is something that every human and every business needs to do. For me it was really beneficial to deepen my understanding of culture and society in one of our marketplaces.

Other than the people, what do you love most about the culture here?

That we truly embody our People Principles. “Activate Caring” is lived and breathed throughout the company at all levels, and I think this has a great influence on the way we connect with our colleagues, and the way we work together as teams as well as cross-functionally. Audible is a fun, dynamic and vibrant place to work and you get the opportunity to collaborate with incredibly astute and experienced people. Then there is the sector in which we work—it’s richly creative and fast-moving—no two days are the same. I also love working as part of a global team: due to the time differences, I can be quite autonomous in my role, and I love that I am trusted to do my job but feel well supported.

Lightning Round!

Favorite genre? Memoir—I love people (and their stories)!

What hub are you aligned to? Sydney, Australia.

Listening from a speaker or headphones? Headphones, especially for memoirs, when it’s like having my bestie in my ear.

Morning person or night owl? 100% morning and 0% late night. I’m known for catching the sunrise. (Much to the annoyance of my family!)

Favorite snack? Coffee—is that a snack? 

What have you been listening to lately?

I recently finished Urzila Carlson’s memoir, Rolling with the Punchlines. She is relatable, funny, down-to-earth, shows genuine care for humanity and has an interesting backstory—all the attributes I look for in people! In my spare time I’ve been undertaking a personal passion project called Humans of Newtown, documenting the colorful people in my community here in Sydney. I genuinely love connecting with people and hearing their stories, so memoirs and biographies have always been a favorite for me.