Tell us about your role — what you do, and what does a typical day look like for you?
I’m an Account Executive at banMe Media, which stands for “Best Advertising Near Me.” We are a digital media managed service partner and consultancy specializing in programmatic media buying, activation, and audience intelligence. We work across a variety of verticals including healthcare, travel/tourism, government, and more, primarily supporting independent agencies and brands. I joined the company about two months ago, around the same time I moved to Philadelphia, so it’s been an exciting transition into both a new city and a deeper role within the digital advertising space. My role gives me the best of both worlds: I focus on bringing in new clients and building relationships in Philadelphia and other markets, while also helping manage and support the accounts I bring in.On a day-to-day basis, I collaborate closely with our Digital Strategy team, AdOps team, and VP of Media to brainstorm outreach ideas, support campaigns, and help create strategic solutions for clients.
What’s a common misconception people have about your job or about marketing in your industry?
People sometimes think account executives are just salespeople pushing services, but a good AE is really more of a strategic partner and problem solver. A big part of my role is understanding a client’s goals, figuring out gaps or opportunities, and connecting them with the right solutions and resources. It’s truly about creating meaningful relationships and being trustworthy.
What’s one marketing tool, habit, or framework you rely on more than anything else right now?
Honestly, audience intelligence and research-first planning are probably what I rely on most right now. There’s so much noise in digital marketing that understanding why audiences behave the way they do is often more valuable than just launching more ads. For more of the relationship building and sales portion, I rely heavily on personalized outreach over mass outreach. Taking the time to better understand an agency or brand’s business before reaching out has made conversations much more meaningful and effective.
What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. I’ve read it a few times so I definitely plan on reading something different soon but I highly recommend this book because it teaches you about the law of attraction and shapes your mindset to be better. I also have the digital version as a PDF if anyone needs it!
What are you looking forward to the most for the industry over the next year?
I’m honestly excited to just keep learning! The advertising industry changes so quickly that there’s always something new happening, whether it’s AI, new platforms, measurement changes, or evolving consumer behavior. Additionally to that, really just creating more relationships with others in this space is highly important to me.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
The best piece of career advice I’ve received is to keep trying and never give up. There will absolutely be moments where you don’t understand something right away, but practice and consistency truly make a difference over time. Another mindset I always try to keep for myself is that confidence is key. Confidence translates into your work, communication, and relationships. I also think it’s important to use the resources around you and understand that you won’t always be the smartest person in the room — and that’s okay. Staying open to learning and new conversations is incredibly valuable.
What advice would you give to the next generation of marketing leaders?
Stay adaptable and open to feedback! This marketing industry changes constantly, especially with AI, privacy changes, and evolving consumer behavior. The people who succeed long term are usually the ones who stay curious and keep learning.
When you unplug from work, where are you most likely to be in Philadelphia?
When I unplug from work, I’m usually taking a Pilates class or trying a new restaurant because I’m a huge foodie. I currently have a list of nearly 70 restaurants I want to try, so I’m slowly working my way through it. I’ll eat practically anything! Outside of that, I’m usually checking out community arts festivals, exploring different neighborhoods, or finding live music on the weekends.
What’s a mistake you made early on in your career?
A mistake I made early on in my career was not networking as much as I could have! I still have great connections from previous roles but I do feel that I could have branched out a bit more in my previous settings.
What’s one benefit of being an AMA Philadelphia member that you enjoy?
One of the biggest benefits has honestly been how easy it’s been to connect with others. I’ve only been in Philadelphia for a couple of months, and through AMA Philadelphia, I’ve already made some really meaningful connections.I also love hearing about different career backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Being able to learn from others and receive advice from people in different areas of the industry has been incredibly valuable.