Megan Clarken

Megan Clarken (born 30 October 1966) is a media executive and former youth athlete from New Zealand.^[1][2] In November 2019, Clarken was appointed chief executive officer at Criteo, an ad-tech company based in France.^[3] She has received several accolades, including being recognized as one of HERoes 100 Women Role Model Executives for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023.^[4][5][6][7] She is also a current member of the Capgemini Group Board of Directors.^[8]

Athletic career

Clarken grew up in Auckland, New Zealand, one of four children and spent her youth focused on track and field.^[9] She represented New Zealand^[10] from a young age in the 100M, 200M, high jump, long jump and heptathlon events. When she was 12 years old, she broke a world age record in high jump.^[11]

In 1984, Clarken represented Oceania at the World Cup in Canberra, Australia. Although aiming for Olympic and Commonwealth selection, Clarken suffered a serious injury to her left knee and retired from track and field.^[12]

Clarken still holds four records in long jump and 100M in New Zealand.^[13]

Business career

Clarken has held senior leadership positions for large publishers and online technology providers in Australia, including Akamai Technologies and measurement company Nielsen,^[14] which she joined in 2004.^[15] She worked for Nielsen until 2019, having risen to the position of chief commercial officer for Nielsen Global Media.^[16] In 2019, Clarken became chief executive officer at Criteo, and was added to Criteo’s Board of Directors in 2020.^[17]

Affiliations and awards

Clarken has received leadership awards including the 2015 Cynopsis Media: Top Women in Digital Industry Leaders,^[18] the 2016 Multichannel News: Wonder Women^[19] and the 2019 National Organization for Women: Women of Power and Influence.^[20] 

References