Meet the team Sevag Chamelian
At Ynput, we’re continuing to grow our team and want to introduce the people working behind AYON, our pipeline platform for animation, VFX, and creative studios. In this edition of our Meet the Team series, we speak with Sevag Chamelian, who recently joined as Head of Growth.
What was your professional background before Ynput?
Before joining Ynput, I spent over three years at HTC, leading various marketing departments across HTC VIVE, VIVERSE, and VIVEPORT. It was a chance to dive deep into both hardware and software, working on everything from launching consumer VR hardware and enterprise collaboration software to releasing games on the VIVEPORT app store and rolling out a subscription service. It was a hugely fulfilling role that allowed me to bridge both consumer and business audiences.
Prior to HTC, I was Head of Marketing at ftrack for several years, and even supported them for a few years before that through their agency. I had the privilege of seeing the company grow from a small team of five to a global player, to winning an Academy Award for technical achievement and, ultimately, an exit to private equity. I have many fond memories from that time and I’m buoyed to see so many still there.
Going further back, my first taste of the animation and VFX software industry was in early 2013, when I joined the incredibly smart team at The Foundry. That experience was a real turning point, and ever since, I’ve stayed closely connected to the industry and its community. I’ve grown a lot over the years, but that early exposure truly set the direction for my career. Joining Ynput now feels like a natural progression, and I feel right at home.
What has been your biggest professional challenge before joining Ynput?
When you join a company and feel like the marketing department has been neglected or treated as a luxury rather than a necessity, it’s a real challenge to demonstrate the value marketing can bring. But before you can do that, you need internal buy-in which starts with opening communication channels and building relationships across departments.
I’ve faced situations where everyone was working in their own silo, each wanting to be the “hero” and steer the ship their own way. In reality, everyone was heading in different directions. The turning point comes when people realise they’re all working toward the same goal. Once that happens, everyone can start moving in the same direction.
A lot of it comes down to regular communication, but also sharing a clear vision, from leadership down to the product roadmap that everyone, staff and customers alike, can believe in and help shape. The challenge becomes even greater if the product you’re marketing doesn’t solve a real problem or is easily outperformed by a cheaper alternative. Marketing then gets the heat for not generating enough hot leads! :P
From these experiences, I learned that internal alignment and communication are just as critical as any external campaign. Without it, even the best marketing will struggle to succeed. The first audience you need to win over is the team you work with.
Can you share a significant professional success or achievement prior to Ynput?
I’ve been fortunate to wear many hats and have the freedom to be very self-sufficient throughout my career. One memory that stands out is from FMX 2018, when the MAXON marketing team asked how many people worked in the marketing department at ftrack. I asked them to guess, and after a brief, thoughtful pause, they guessed 22. I was genuinely flattered because at the time, I was the only person in the marketing department (insert inflating head emoji).
What motivated you to join Ynput?
I see a lot of similarities at Ynput to what I experienced at ftrack. There’s a clear problem being solved, and the team is full of talented people – many with strong industry experience who truly speak the same language as the customer. A lot of Ynput staff have been artists, TDs, supervisors, or even studio owners themselves.
That direct connection with the customer is essential for providing the best possible service and software. It means we can always put the customer first and easily put ourselves in their shoes.
There’s huge potential at Ynput, and I know that with my experience and the lessons I’ve learned over the years, I can help steer the team to success and help avoid some of the pitfalls I’ve seen (and experienced) in the past.
What are you most excited to begin working on at Ynput?
Working closely with the team to help translate and communicate all the new functionality being added to AYON. The platform is incredibly deep, and there are still so many features that haven’t been fully communicated. There’s always a nugget of value waiting to be uncovered and brought to light. We’re still in the early days of what AYON can become, but we’re already seeing so much value and enthusiasm from our passionate customers. That drives us to do more and champion their success. There’s nothing better than hearing that a production team didn’t have to work overtime – that’s what excites me most.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in your role?
For anyone starting out in marketing, I always recommend building a website from scratch. It’s one of the best ways to learn about branding, communication, and digital marketing skills firsthand. For those already in the field, I encourage you to take ownership of something no one else at your company does, or something others aren’t strong at, and become the go-to expert in that area. Be the best at it, then expand your skills outward.
I’m a big believer in a T-shaped skill set. Go deep on what you’re passionate about and master it, then broaden your expertise to become more well-rounded. The best way to do this is by taking on new projects and stepping out of your comfort zone. Observe how others work, learn from them, and make their best practices your own.
Many of the skills I’ve gained came from working closely with smart people, sometimes in entirely different professions. There’s always something to learn, whether it’s how someone conducts themselves professionally in a meeting or how they respect even the most junior staff. That’s something I always carry with me and encourage everyone else to do the same.
How do you balance work with personal life?
Does it ever feel like work if you truly enjoy it? Outside of my responsibilities, I like to dive into games. Kingdom Come Deliverance is my current favourite, and it’s pretty cool learning the history of Bohemia while working for a Czech company! The game can be frustrating but also incredibly rewarding, it’s a real gem from the last decade of gaming. That said, I rarely have the time or patience for more than 40 minutes of gaming, I feel guilty very quickly! So my best escape is spending time with my daughter. She guarantees I switch off – there’s no chance of multitasking when she’s around!
Beyond balancing free time, I find getting out into the woods always feels refreshing and peaceful. I’m a different person when surrounded by tall trees, and I make an effort most weekends to go wandering. It helps me reset and start the new week on a high.
