Derek Murphy Turns Unique Brand Collaborations into Audible Moments

Derek Murphy is always thinking about the perfect opportunities for people to listen to Audible. It could be while they’re commuting to work, powering through a workout, looking for a way to engage and entertain the kids, or any number of endless moments that call for a great story. As Audible’s Head of Global Business Development, Murphy and his team work closely with other brands, as well as our internal teams, to seamlessly integrate Audible’s offering into places and spaces where customers would love being immersed in a great listen, such as cars, planes, cruise ships and smart glasses.

Murphy’s team has been behind several unique collaborations, such as Audible’s recent campaign with Crayola, which pairs drawing prompts with a curated collection of Audible listens perfect for sparking imaginations. Outside of work, Murphy engages his own creativity with photography, which he discovered at summer camp long ago. He shares more about what inspires him in his career and life, and what advice he’d give his younger self.

Where do you draw inspiration?

I draw inspiration from my family on a daily basis! They are my constant source of energy, love and support, and they help me stay balanced. My wife, daughter, two sons and I enjoy spending time together, whether in low-key moments at home or when we have the chance to venture off on exciting vacations. My extended family consists of numerous relatives, dear friends, and ancestors whose life stories, achievements and sacrifices continue to inspire and elevate me.

What would you say has been the overarching thread in your career journey?

The ability to work with creative and business teams across global media, tech and content companies to build compelling partnerships, drive strategic growth and execute innovative digital solutions. Looking back at my career, a key assignment that helped prepare me for my current role was developing growth marketing initiatives with sports and entertainment brands including the NBA, WNBA, Madison Square Garden and US Open Tennis. That taught me how to creatively deliver high-impact brand experiences to audiences. Now, leading our global business development team at Audible, I’m able to combine brand collaborations, compelling storytelling and new technologies to delight our listeners.

If you could go back to when you were first starting your career and give advice to your younger self, what would you say?

Be present and embrace the role you’re in, even if it doesn’t feel glamorous. There’s always something to learn, skills to be developed and important ways to contribute. Stay courageous and curious and strive to develop new possibilities. Become a problem-solver and realize that handling challenging work is valued and demands teamwork and creativity. Never stop learning, and focus on continuous improvement to help your personal and professional growth. Practice kindness, keep shining your light and find ways to lift others up as you climb.

Lightning round

• Coffee or tea? Mint tea.
• Morning person or night owl? Reformed night owl.
• Where are you working from currently? Alternate between home and our hub in Newark, New Jersey.
• How long have you been with Audible? More than four years.
• Who is your biggest inspiration, career-wise? Ken Chenault, a supportive mentor and former Chairman and CEO of American Express.
• Dine in or take out? I’d much rather dine in! It’s a great chance to try different cuisines and catch up with family and friends. Best of all, there’s no cleanup afterward.
• Favorite outside of work hobby? Photography has been a lifelong hobby. I first started experimenting with film cameras at summer camp in Maryland, learning to develop pictures in a darkroom, which seemed magical. Over the years I progressed to using a variety of digital cameras, including a trusty Canon DSLR to capture shots of nature and travel adventures. Recently, I’ve found myself relying more on my iPhone to spontaneously capture special moments. There’s still something magical about preserving memories through photos.
• Favorite Audible listen, go. James, by Percival Everett.