Austin Albany, Co-Owner and Creative Director at Sublime Media Group, was recently named as one of VIP Bowling Green’s 40 Under 40 Honorees. We are excited for Austin to be recognized as one of the top leaders in Bowling Green and southern Kentucky.
Recipients of this award were asked a few questions about their career and service to the community. Read on to take a deeper dive into Austin’s background, motivations, and what trend he hopes to see make a comeback.
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I knew very early in life that I wanted to spend each day doing something creative. As a teenager growing up in Glasgow, Kentucky, it was common to find me playing music with my friends, making shorts films, or working on projects for my high school television station, The Advantage Network.
Working at WBKO Television while attending Western Kentucky University helped me obtain and grow multiple skillsets that have strongly benefitted me throughout my career. I met my business partner, Jon Doss, while working in television along with other talented content creators, some of which have joined our team at Sublime Media Group. We work hard, have fun, and produce the best content possible.
Awards that I’ve received during my career include 10 Ohio Valley Regional Emmy Nominations, 2 Ohio Valley Regional Emmy Awards, and 1st Place in the MOFILM Cannes Lions 2012 Commercial Festival for the Adobe brand.
I’ve lived my entire life in southcentral Kentucky, and I love this area. It’s a wonderful place to live with my wife, Meghan, and daughter, Brynn. This community has also been extremely supportive of the company that Jon Doss and I started together, Sublime Media Group. For that, I am extremely grateful.
Name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? Why and how did this person impact your life?
With this question it’s hard to name just one person so I would like to quickly name two:
Bill Bitner was my high school teacher that ran The Advantage Network. Being in this program was a favorite part of high school for me and numerous students that have gone on to pursue careers in media and marketing all over the country. Bill ran his own video production company as a side business and that was always something that I admired and was inspired by. He was a great mentor for me and many others.
David Hosay was the Production Manager during my time working in television. As a leader, he always put others before himself. His goal was to give employees in his department the opportunity to grow their talents and skillsets. I’m grateful that he gave me opportunities that he did. I’m also happy that he has now joined the Sublime Media Group family. His leadership style taught me that putting your team first is the most important part of running a successful company.
What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
The biggest risk I’ve taken would have to be starting a company from nothing. Sublime Media Group started as two friends that wanted to make a little extra money. Nine years later, we have a talented team of driven creatives that work extremely hard for our wonderful clients located all over the country.
What are your most looking forward to in the next 10 years?
In the next 10 years, I look forward to growing our company, my leadership abilities, and my skills as a content creator.
Expand on your community involvement.
I love our community. From the beginning, Sublime Media Group has worked with numerous non-profits to help give them a voice and to share important messages that help better our community.
I’m proud to serve as the Awareness Chair on the Junior Achievement of South Central Kentucky Executive Board.
What advice would you have given yourself 10 years ago if you could go back?
I would tell myself to enjoy the ride and be patient. I’m always thinking of what comes next and have struggled to just stop and enjoy the moment.
What advice would you give a high school graduate?
Don’t be too afraid to fail.
What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader?
Over the past several years I’ve made it a priority to talk with other business owners and team leaders to learn how they do things. I attend marketing and leadership conferences yearly to keep up with current trends and to learn how to better lead our team.
Which volunteer activity/charity that you support has the most impact on who you are as a person? Explain.
We work with so many different organizations that it’s hard for me to answer this question with just one. One common theme with the organizations that we partner with is that the majority of them benefit children in some way. Providing resources and education for our youth is crucial for the growth of our community.
SHORT ANSWERS:
What book impacted you most?
I read a lot of fiction, but I’m currently reading Russell Brunson’s 3 books from ClickFunnels and have learned a lot from them.
What are you currently reading?
Traffic Secrets by Russell Brunson
What is your favorite part of our community?
I love WKU Sports and rooting for the Hilltoppers. I’m also very happy that we get to work with WKU Athletics each year to produce some great commercials and in-game video content.
What fad or trend do you hope comes back?
Rollerblading
What movie title best describes your life?
Stand By Me
