As of July, David Nadler from Ninth Decimal has joined Flashtalking as our newest Account Executive. He is well versed in both earned and paid media, as well as the impact technology has on media and brand-to-consumer communication.
Below is a Q&A session with David that provides insight into his background and passions:
1. Why does ad tech interest you, and how did you get started?
Ad tech is an ever-evolving industry and I feel like I thrive in the fast-paced, jargon-filled environment. I enjoy keeping tabs on the start-ups that exploit marketing over other functions of their business, such as the Ubers & AirBnBs of the world. The use of technology to drive business outcomes directly attributed to a brand’s marketing efforts is what it is all about.
Looking back, advertising always seemed to resonate with me. I studied Communications & Music in college and landed an internship at a boutique PR agency in my last semester, where I soon transitioned to a full-time employee, learning the earned media landscape. I always thought traditional media had a place—but was not the leader—in reaching the next generation of consumers.
I later worked as a strategist at Centro, a media agency-turned-DSP SaaS platform to hone my skills on the digital/paid media front. And finally, prior to my Flashtalking debut, I worked in sales at NinthDecimal, an omni-channel marketing platform powered by location data.
2. Which industry trends do you follow most closely?
Due to my previous role at NinthDecimal, I focus a lot on the mobile location space. More generally, the mobile space. It is the one piece of hardware almost everyone—unless you live on a deserted island—always has within reach.
Data is another topic that is under the microscope in the age of GDPR & CCPA. I like to stay informed on the latest there to be a resource for our agency & brand partners.
3. What excites you most about joining Flashtalking?
I am excited about the tech! I really enjoy learning the “sticky” features of a given platform. Exploring and highlighting the value of software like Flashtalking’s Ad Studio for brands will be extremely rewarding.
4. If you could work on one other team at Flashtalking, which would it be and why?
I have always considered myself more of the creative type. I would put those skills to the test on John Mruz’s strategy team. The amount of creativity that seems to be coming out of that team is admirable. From Vertical Accelerators to the numerous generic brands, they seem to be producing great work, while having a fun time doing it!
5. What’s one fun fact about yourself outside of work?
My high school choir sang 5 o’clock mass at the Vatican!
