Innovative Data Scientist of the Year claims title at the inaugural #AI and Machine Learning Awards

A talented Teesside-based data scientist is making an impact on the technology sector after securing a second national award win, for an innovative contribution to industry-leading intent data management platform, Carbon DMP.

Ryan Jessop, who works at global one-to-one marketing specialist, Clicksco Group in Middlesbrough, claimed the coveted Data Scientist of the Year title at the inaugural AI and Machine Learning Awards. Held on Wednesday 3 July, the special ceremony took place at the Jumeriah Carlton Tower in London.

Established this year to recognise the people and companies helping to define these fast-growing areas of technology, the glittering event also saw Carbon DMP shortlisted as Best Emerging Technology in AI and Most Innovative AI Solution.

This latest accolade comes hot-on-the-heels of 22-year-old Ryan’s success at the KTP (Knowledge Transfer Partnership) Best of the Best Awards in May, where he was named Best Future Innovator.

Joining Clicksco after graduating in 2017, Ryan – originally from Worksop, landed a place on a unique KTP which aimed to build new tools to better understand customer behaviour in the digital marketing sector. Combining the company’s digital data specialisms with the statistical knowledge of Durham University, he was tasked with developing Carbon DMP ahead of its launch in February 2018.

The world-first online audience targeting platform uses high quality intent and audience data to deliver actionable insights that drive profitable outcomes for advertisers and publishers, whilst improving the customer experience. It currently processes 15m page views every day in order to accurately categorise consumer behaviour, as well as collecting over 150m intent signals every day.

Ryan’s efforts concentrated on creating models of consumer behaviour in a bid to better predict click through rate (CTR), and therefore increase revenue. His research led to an algorithm being developed that allocated an ‘Intent Score’ to a consumer, replacing the binary ‘Interest’ versus ‘Intent’ label that is traditionally used in the industry.

He said: “It’s an incredible honour to be recognised at this level so early in my career. The partnership between Clicksco and Durham University has given my career an excellent foundation and I’m looking forward to pushing more boundaries to see what else Carbon DMP can achieve.”

Pete Danks, Carbon DMP divisional CEO, said:

“Ryan is a strong example of the budding data science talent and potential that we are committed to nurturing and we’re proud to see him receive another well-deserved award for his innovative approach and hard work.

“To be named a finalist across two further categories for our Carbon DMP tool was exhilarating for the whole team and reaffirms that the North East deserves its place on the map as a burgeoning hub for ground-breaking digital technology.”