Meet Muammer Ünal, Director of Advertising Operations, Performance based in Istanbul! As a part of the Sales Operations team, Muammer manages two teams at our Turkey office. When not working, he enjoys camping, listening to jazz and soul, and spending time with family members. Get to know Muammer in this week’s AdColonized feature!
What exactly does a Director of Advertising Operations, Performance do at AdColony? What’s an average day like for you?
I’m managing two different teams in the Istanbul office right now, Demand Ops and Publisher Ops, and they are working on three different shifts. We are supporting as Performance Demand and Pub Ops team to the global teams, so we are awake 16-hours a day. I, as their manager, try to support them as much as possible, help them to solve their daily problems and make progress on projects that would move us to a better position.
Tell us a little about your experiences prior to joining AdColony & how they have prepared you for your role here.
Actually, AdColony is the first and only company that I have worked at, my first real job. I have started working for AdColony after college, and my major has nothing to do with Ad Tech. I’m a Mathematician originally. I had a good college education and would try to learn stuff like coding or operations research, so I could say I directed myself to Ad Tech.
What makes AdColony the right fit for you?
When I first started to work for AdColony (it was Mobilike by the way, on those days), I felt like I’m learning a lot of stuff and it needs to stop at some point, but it has never stopped! It’s a changing business, and you need to stay up-to-date to get success. This is an important aspect of the business for me. Also, I enjoy the people I work with, they are really fun and smart!
AdColony values employee development. How do you keep growing & learning in what you do?
I follow some mobile advertising posts and try to stay up-to-date on the mobile gaming and advertising industries. Also, I’m attending trainings in and out of the office. AdColony Istanbul has a good information sharing process between departments, and also our leads really support the teams by arranging external training sessions.
How do you act as a resource for the rest of your team?
I try to listen to their problems and help them out to create strategies that make their work easier. Also, I support them to work with other teams and solve daily basis issues.
Is there someone you turn to personally or professionally?
I need to thank “the best and the most inspiring” leaders Mehmet Ayan and Volkan Bicer. They were really the most supportive and understanding managers and I am happy to say that the reason behind my nearly 6 years of loyalty to AdColony is them. Also, I need to thank Melike Kirtepe, she was the person I was directly working with when I first started to work for Mobilike and she was making easier everything for me.
What are your hobbies or activities that you look forward to doing on the weekends or after work?
Nowadays, I’m spending one of my days on weekends with my old friends. We are drinking a couple of beers and chatting. We love camping with those friends as well, but we need summertime for that. Other than these, books and tv shows are taking my time.
Which app is keeping you engaged lately? Why?
I guess I’m a Football Manager fan for years, I’m still playing it. FMM 2018 is my most used app right now. I’m following Instagram as well.
Tell us one or two fun facts about you.
I was playing a Turkish traditional instrument when I was in college, lute. I even played in college chorus once.
What is your favorite moment you’ve had with the AdColony team so far?
There are so many of them, I do not want to give too much detail but it was in our off-site in Cesme.
What are you listening to lately (music, podcasts, etc.)?
I usually listen to jazz&soul, sometimes ethnic techno. I use Spotify.
What are you looking forward to most in the next 5 years?
I have a long list of countries and cities I want to see, that’s I can say the first plan. Also, I want to spend more time with my family.
About AdColonized
Each AdColonized feature shines a light on a different member of the AdColony team. From favorite apps and hobbies to dislikes and odd secrets, we cover it all! Who do you want to see on the next AdColonized? Tweet it to @AdColony. For the latest AdColony mobile news and updates, follow @AdColony on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or connect on Linkedin.
