The Transformation Series: Melissa Marks
As a people-first organization, we go the extra mile to provide our Vampers with the ability to grow through championing talent and remaining adaptable to individual needs. Our Transformation Series explores how our people have been able to thrive within their roles and transform both personally and professionally. In our second installment, we sit down with Melissa Marks to talk about her career growth and development at VideoAmp.
Tell us about yourself and about your original role at VideoAmp.
I started at VideoAmp two years ago as a Programmatic Manager, which eventually turned into our Campaign Management team. At the time, it was just myself and Jason Capunitan, and then we added Ashley Chang about two months later. We all helped to build the Campaign Management team to where it is today. It was after that when I heard they were building an Insights and Analytics team.
I was drawn to this new opportunity because it was something that I wasn’t familiar with and could help grow my overall skill set. Moving to this position would help me grow in my career at VideoAmp, and once they hired Matt Weinman, I was able to fully transition into this new role. Kim Jones, the SVP of Client Success, played an integral part in helping me transition between positions, providing me with one-on-one guidance and support during this shift in responsibility. I really enjoyed this new position because I was constantly learning something new.
In what ways have you grown since making that career switch?
I’ve become much more confident in the work that I do, since I am the only one who runs TV Maximizer reporting. Having this responsibility has forced me to step up and come into my own, which has been really great for my professional confidence. I trust my instincts more now; I go with my gut. I don’t second guess myself and it’s empowered me to take control of my work and my career path.
How has the culture and environment at VideoAmp contributed to your career growth?
One of my favorite parts about VideoAmp is that I feel comfortable to communicate honestly with my managers. I remember when I was in my first role at VideoAmp, I told Kim that I wasn’t feeling inspired to come to work each day and felt I had progressed as far as I could as a Campaign Manager. I felt as if I had reached my learning capacity in campaign management and I didn’t see a future in this sector. I told her I wanted to expand my skill set and move towards analytics, even though I didn’t have much experience in this area. But, what I did have was the opportunity to be honest and open with my manager without feeling anxious that she would take it the wrong way. It was comforting to hear that she supported my career growth at VideoAmp and we worked together to find a role that was more fulfilling for me.
Have any of the new skills that you’ve developed at VideoAmp transferred into your personal life at all?
Absolutely! My confidence has definitely transferred from professional to personal. I feel more comfortable being honest with the people I care about outside of work and going with my gut instincts.
What are your future goals for your career?
To continue to grow and learn. I transferred originally from Insights to Analytics, and then was able to move again into the Marketing Science department. This department has a completely different area of expertise, and VideoAmp has allowed me to grow and given me the opportunity to learn the different departments that drive the company’s success. I definitely want to learn more about the technical side of analytics reporting, grow my presentation and analytical thinking skills, and to further understand how VideoAmp is providing value for our clients.
