Meet Alex Cano, Global Head of Performance Media working out of our San Francisco office! Alex has been with AdColony since he left college and has never looked back — he’s been here almost as long as AdColony has been around! Besides working with his amazing team, Alex likes to cook and go on hikes with his family. Get to know him better in this week’s AdColonized employee spotlight!
What exactly does a Global Head of Performance Media do at AdColony? What’s an average day like for you?
I head up a portion of our performance display division. I have the privilege of wearing many hats: helping with sales, forecasting and guidance, technical troubleshooting, trafficking, and pretty much dealing with the entire life cycle of a campaign. The day starts bright and early checking emails and requests from international teams, followed by team syncs and domestic advertiser meetings. When I am not on calls, I am diving into data, launching campaigns, and taking care of publisher and advertising clients. I am fortunate that I get to tackle all these challenges with an amazing team!
Tell us a little about your experiences prior to joining AdColony and how they have prepared you for your role here.
This is actually my first job out of college! I graduated from USC in 2011 with a degree in business and a concentration in law. I moved straight from LA to SF to live with my girlfriend (now wife) and had gotten job offers for a SAS sales job or a paid internship at a small mobile advertising startup. I took a chance and went with the internship, as I thought that the industry was exciting and poised for massive growth. I got hired to a full-time position a month in and haven’t looked back. I tackle every change and challenge with an open mind and an eagerness to learn, which has allowed me to keep up with this ever-evolving industry.
What makes AdColony the right fit for you?
The people. I have been here for 9 years and have so many colleagues that are now close friends. We have a great company culture and attitude that we bring to the workplace. The determination to compete for budgets against the biggest names in the industry and innovation in the marketplace make it exciting day in and day out.
AdColony values employee development. How do you keep growing and learning in what you do?
Our industry is ever-evolving, with constant change to how things can be done. I am constantly reading and listening to industry leaders about market trends and the future of mobile advertising. Not this year obviously, but we usually attend most of the large trade shows, which is a great atmosphere to network and collaborate.
How do you act as a resource for the rest of your team?
I try to be a touchstone between brand and performance, providing industry trends and guidance across both domestic and international markets. I make an effort to provide the most accurate and relevant information to our teams so that we can provide the best service possible for our clients.
Is there someone you turn to personally or professionally?
I turn to my first boss Sam Darawish, both professionally and personally. I have known him for almost a decade now and consider him a close friend. He is a wealth of knowledge and an industry veteran that I am lucky to know.
Many global AdColony employees are still working from home. Do you have any work-from-home tips for success you can share?
Try to get outside for a couple hours of work.
What are your hobbies or activities that you look forward to doing on the weekends or after work?
I love to cook! So I have been spending a lot of time throwing down in the kitchen, trying to expand my comfort zone there. On the weekends, my family and I like to go on hikes and drives.
Which app is keeping you engaged lately? Why?
Clubhouse; there are so many interesting conversations and insights always happening there.
What is your favorite moment you’ve had with the AdColony team so far?
The Christmas party when we rented out the De Young Museum in San Francisco. Having the entire museum to ourselves was something special.
What are you listening to lately (music, podcasts, etc.)?
I like to listen to it all, but lately I’ve been on a big lo-fi, hip-hop kick, which helps me concentrate while I am dealing with data sets.
What are you looking forward to most in the next 5 years?
Watching my daughter grow up and traveling again!
About AdColonized
Each AdColonized feature shines a light on a different member of the AdColony team. From favorite apps and hobbies to fun facts, 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.
- Mobile Monday: Apple vs. T-Mobile Advertising, Consumers Want Personalization, and Q2 Mobile Gaming Spend - June 27, 2022
- Mobile Monday: Clever Digital Advertising, Mobile Game Monetization Methods, and the Growth of Mobile Gaming - June 20, 2022
- Building a Mediation with Purpose and Value - June 14, 2022
