Category: Employee spotlight

As part of LoopMe’s Ukraine Support Month, August’s employee spotlights feature Ukrainian employees, who tell us more about themselves and share their experiences of life in Ukraine since February 2022.

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What is your role at LoopMe?
I have just started a new role as a Programmatic Account Manager. Before that I was a Campaign Manager for three years.

How has your experience at LoopMe been throughout your time here overall, and especially with everything going on?
From my first day at LoopMe, I could see how talented and technically skilled everyone was. Now I know that my colleagues are not only talented but they are also as brave and strong as Ukraine! For me, LoopMe is one of the companies that has really stepped up to support its Ukrainian employees. We really appreciate it, especially during these tough times.

How has the war on Ukraine affected your work life / role / time in the office?
Work-life balance has turned into a war/work-life balance. I honestly love coming into the office every day because of the amazing people and atmosphere we have created here. It’s like a second home to me.

How have these almost 1000 days of full-scale invasion changed you?
It has fully changed me. My dad joined the army and became a defender. It’s now my turn to step up and support my family, especially my mom. I have learned about different types of rockets and how to distinguish the sounds of defense rockets. I have also improved my skills in tactical medicine and faced some mental health challenges, which I’m working through. Most importantly, I’ve learned how to be an independent person.

How has the war impacted aspects of daily life that people may take for granted?
I know it’s hard to imagine that we see rockets in the sky, and hear explosions day and night. After tough nights we wake up, have a cup of coffee, and go to the office (tired and sleepy but with a smile). Unfortunately, this is our reality now and it’s what we have adapted to.

Where do you find strength and inspiration in today’s Ukraine?
I find strength and inspiration in my family and everyday support network. Hanging out with my dog, who can be a bit crazy at times, is always a mood booster! Reading books and keeping up with my running routine has helped me stay motivated and balanced.

What’s the first thing you will do once the war is over?
Make some of my parents’ dreams come true. Hopefully, it will be soon.

What would you like your fellow Loopers to understand?
Every Ukrainian wants to be supported on a daily basis. Simple questions – like “How are you?” or “Are you safe?” – are important, not just because it’s polite to ask but because they give us a sense of support and understanding. It is a very tough time for all Ukrainians because we are defending our independence. Come to Ukraine and you’ll see how beautiful our country is.

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More Ukraine Support Month employee spotlights:

• Anastasiia Pekun
• Kateryna Aleksakha

As part of LoopMe’s Ukraine Support Month, August’s employee spotlights feature Ukrainian employees, who tell us more about themselves and share their experiences of life in Ukraine since February 2022.

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What is your role at LoopMe?
Team Lead, Campaign Management

How has your experience at LoopMe been throughout your time here overall, and especially with everything going on?
I started working at LoopMe right before the pandemic hit, and have been working here throughout the invasion. During these hard times, I’ve felt supported by my colleagues and the organization. The company has provided me with everything I need to get through these difficult times. I’m glad to be a part of LoopMe.

How has the war in Ukraine affected your work life / role / time in the office?
The war in Ukraine has certainly impacted our work-life balance. I moved from the war zone of Dnipro to Lviv, but now even that is unsafe. There are countless sleepless, stressful nights because of air raid alerts and shelling, but work has been a helpful distraction.

How have these almost 1000 days of full-scale invasion changed you?
I feel strong and resistant to stress but still battle with feeling anxious.

How has the war impacted aspects of daily life that people may take for granted?
The air alerts come randomly in the middle of the day or night where you have to drop everything and find shelter. Everything in the town shuts down during that time and there is a curfew every night. There are constant power outages, so you have to often leave where you are so find somewhere safe to stay. Your schedule is always adapting to the surroundings and circumstances.

Where do you find strength and inspiration in today’s Ukraine?
I find strength and inspiration in our defenders, volunteers and those who donate to support.

What’s the first thing you’ll do once the war is over?
I will visit all my family and friends.

What would you like your fellow Loopers to understand?
Sometimes Ukrainians can be reluctant to share how we’re feeling, and we are often tired – but we always appreciate your support.

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More Ukraine Support Month employee spotlights:

• Anastasiia Pekun
• Nastia Shchepetkova

As part of LoopMe’s Ukraine Support Month, August’s employee spotlights feature Ukrainian employees, who tell us more about themselves and share their experiences of life in Ukraine since February 2022.

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What is your role at LoopMe?
I’m an Assistant Accountant.

How has your experience at LoopMe been throughout your time here overall, and especially with everything going on? The expertise and the opportunities I have access to here are greater than at my previous workplace. A significant advantage is the ability to work remotely during wartime and a fairly flexible schedule in general.

How has the war on Ukraine affected your work life / role / time in the office?
The war was one of the reasons why I changed my job. I needed to find a more stable job with prospects, and the Ukrainian job market could not offer such opportunities with the start of the full-scale invasion. At the same time, I had to rapidly develop as a specialist, acquiring new knowledge in order to become an employee of an international company like LoopMe, which was a huge advantage for me. As for the time spent in the office during the working day, there were times when after an air raid alarm, we would go up to the office a couple of minutes before a meeting was due to start.

How have these almost 1000 days of full-scale invasion changed you?
The war has changed each of us. I can definitely say that I am not the same carefree girl I was 3 years ago. All this is very difficult and has a cumulative effect, meaning that we now look at many things differently. For example, while watching an action movie and seeing how the main characters run away from explosions, I now realise that if this were real life the consequences would be completely different. The names of weapons, missiles and combat vehicles used to be distant, incomprehensible concepts. Now we not only recognise their sounds, but we also know what they look like and what they’re capable of.

How has the war impacted aspects of daily life that people may take for granted?
I’m trying to live my best years in the conditions of “make it before the curfew” and “make it before the power and water are turned off”. I never used to attach much importance to street lighting, or even the presence of electricity. But, when I returned home in the winter in complete darkness with a flashlight in my hands, or when I cooked food on a camping gas burner and slept under two blankets, simple things such as light and warmth became much more valuable. I really miss walking along the deserted streets at night, watching the sunrise, going to the forest with my family, or riding along the river on a motorboat. This isn’t possible any more: you can’t go outside from midnight to 5am; there might be mines in the forests; exiting boats onto open water is prohibited.

Where do you find strength and inspiration in today’s Ukraine?
In other people. I will never cease to be amazed at how strong our nation is. How strong our will is and what incredible things we can achieve even in war conditions. How we can live our lives to the fullest in spite of injuries, how we can reopen a store when the previous one burned down, how we can love people when our entire family died. It is a great gift to have this spirit, to be Ukrainian.

What’s the first thing you’ll do once the war is over?
At 3am I’ll get in the car and go to the Azov Sea to watch the sunrise. Sunrise without war, without suffering, without air raid alarms.

What would you like your fellow Loopers to understand?
I would really like each of us to come home to a place where there is a warm dinner, family, a beloved pet, conversations about how the day went and peace of mind to fall asleep without fear of not waking up. To appreciate it to the maximum. After all, my colleagues from Ukraine have undergone a global reassessment of values. As they say, “the most expensive things in the world are not things at all.” Appreciate each day you live, do not think that you have a draft of life, that everything can be fixed and be grateful for everything you have.

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More Ukraine Support Month employee spotlights:

• Kateryna Aleksakha
• Nastia Shchepetkova

Brian O’Hare, a Sales Director based in New York, offers an insight into his professional motivations and family life.

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Why did you decide to join LoopMe?
I had worked on the agency side of the business for longer than I’d like to admit. Having worked with LoopMe in the past, I was always impressed with the tech’s ability to drive results and provide a deeper level of insight than other partners I had worked with. Being that presenting the media plan to my clients was my favorite part of the agency life, moving over to LoopMe in a sales role was a natural next step.

What motivates you to come to work?
Aside from the people at LoopMe, being the health and pharma SME, I find a certain romance in utilizing LoopMe’s tech to help reach patients in need and potentially shorten the patient journey to proper treatment. Plus, I have a chance to nerd out on things like MQS and other aspects of the business I wouldn’t normally be exposed to.

Do you have any WFH routines or rituals?
Working from home with two kids under the age of 5 is chaotic, so I embrace it. My daughters have met most of my colleagues and clients via Zoom, which is always a welcomed distraction. Other than that, everyone is also familiar with my summer work space, my back yard. 

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m actually a bit boring. Youngest of three, grew up in Putnam, New York met my wife in NYC and now live in New Jersey. I have two beautiful daughters who keep me young and give me grey hair at the same time. 

What has been your greatest achievement in the last year?
My daughter was having a difficult time learning to swim without swimmies. So I had a nice moment with her explaining what “panic” is, and how to fight the feeling with trust. Amazingly enough, this 4-year-old understood the lesson and proceeded to swim across the pool without floats or any assistance for the first time! Professionally, I’ve taken on some mentees, and watching their growth and success continues to validate my approach to our crazy industry. 

Who would you consider your main role model and why?
Cheesy answer here but, my dad. He ran his own recruiting firm for over 40 years, O’Hare & Associates, and provided a great life for his family. He also taught me that “Character is what you do when no one is watching” which are words I’ve lived by since that driving lesson at 16 years old when I wanted to run a red arrow.

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Thinking of becoming a Looper? Head over to our careers page.

London-based Anna Vahromejeva offers an insight into her work, life, motivations and aspirations in the latest of LoopMe’s employee spotlights.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m Anna, a Creative Manager here at LoopMe. Originally from Riga, Latvia, I studied digital design and started my career in the North East of Scotland. After a solid eight years there, I eventually moved to London, where all the buzz is. My Scottish stint left me with a profound appreciation for the weather in the South of England. After all, I spent a quarter of my life in a place where summer was more of a myth than a season. I started in the Marketing Team as a brand designer, and after a few fun years of polishing our brand to a fine sheen, I moved over to the in-house Creative Studio. I wanted new challenges and to work with a wider range of brands. Now, as a manager of our talented team of designers, I oversee the various fantastic campaigns that come our way.

What project or event has been your favourite to work on at LoopMe?
When it comes to projects, I’ve been involved in developing many exciting mobile ad campaigns. However, my most unforgettable project at LoopMe hails from my early days in Marketing. During my first year, I was tasked with designing assets for the AI Conference at the British Museum. Watching my digital concept come to life and transform the entire space was pretty amazing. As the team’s resident photographer, I also captured images of the event, giving me full control over the visual narrative. It was a great experience, and the design for the AI Conference the following year was even better, as by then I knew every corner of the space.

Can you discuss a skill you’ve acquired or developed while working at LoopMe?
I’ve picked up quite a few skills during my time at LoopMe, but multitasking is the one that really stands out. Managing a team of six in the whirlwind of the media world has taught me the fine arts of prioritization, time management, negotiation and delegation. The main rule? Be honest about what can actually be done, and keep the team updated regularly. And don’t underestimate the power of to-do lists. With all the daily distractions and questions that crop up, adding new tasks to lists throughout the day is the only way to stay on top of it.

Do you have any WFH routines or rituals?
Before my time at LoopMe, I worked as a freelance designer and illustrator, and concentration was never an issue for me. Without anyone to distract me, I actually find myself more focused at home than in the office. I’m lucky to have a separate office room, and as soon as I step in, it’s work mode. While many articles suggest wearing office attire at home to get in the right mindset, I take the opposite approach. I wear my comfiest pyjamas to stay as cozy as possible. If I’m not distracted by hunger or cold, nothing can stop my productivity!

Do you have any hobbies?
Like many creatives, drawing is my side gig. I used to sketch a lot, but these days my paper pad sees more action as a coaster than a canvas. Still, there’s always some paper lying around, and I keep my art supplies close at hand. I also love reading, mostly fiction, because it feeds my imagination rather than just providing information. Hiking is another passion of mine. When I lived in Scotland, my partner and I spent every summer weekend exploring the Highlands. We’ve also tackled the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal, the Leh Ladakh Bike Trip in India, and climbed Mount Fuji in Japan. Our next goal is the Mont Blanc Circuit.

If you could invite any public figure to dinner, who would you choose and why?
For my dream dinner, I’d love to invite Robert Sapolsky, the American neuroscientist. He’d make the night so interesting. I’ve been glued to his talks and even got one of his books. Hearing him explain how our brains work and why animals do what they do is fascinating. I’ve always liked science, but sometimes it gets too complicated for me. But Sapolsky is great at making even the trickiest things easy to understand. Plus, he seems like a really kind guy, and I admire kindness in people. I’ve got plenty of cool stuff to chat about with him, so it’d be a super fun dinner, for sure!

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Interested in working at LoopMe? Take a look at our careers page.

Krakow-based Dmytro Ivanskyi, LoopMe’s AVP Operations for the Intelligent Marketplace, shares his experiences in the latest instalment of LoopMe’s employee spotlights, a series designed to offer an insight into the team’s work, life, motivations and aspirations.

What project has been your favourite to work on at LoopMe?
Obviously LoopMe’s Intelligent Marketplace. Since starting out as a project in 2019, it has grown into one of LoopMe’s primary business lines, significantly impacting our trajectory and success. As part of the Intelligent Marketplace team, I have the opportunity to speak with different people across the globe, both internally and externally. Listening, exchanging ideas and developing them – that’s one of the main benefits of this “project” for me. 

What motivates you to come to work?
People: I’ve been with LoopMe for 8 years and enjoy seeing my colleagues develop professionally and bring value to ideas. Especially my team who are based in Ukraine and are working hard under the current circumstances.
Challenges: The Intelligent Marketplace is very dynamic in all senses of the word. There are always changes in the AdTech world. New technologies – new areas for personal growth. 

Can you discuss a skill you’ve acquired or developed while working at LoopMe?
There are so many soft and hard skills that I’ve acquired, but there are still lots I need to learn. Since joining LoopMe’s AdOps function, I’ve been constantly learning across areas including user acquisition campaigns, brand campaigns, analytics, real-time bidding and programmatic buying, which has brought me to an expert level in my AdTech knowledge. I’m pleased that I can share my experience with my team and LoopMe as a whole. Leading a large team means that I’m always learning and working on my soft skills.

Do you have any hobbies?
I’ve recently started playing squash. I would say it’s an activity rather than a hobby but, in any case, this is one of the reasons why I’m looking forward to Sunday. I was surprised by how dynamic it can be and how exhausted a 5-10 minute game can make you. I highly recommend it if you want to do some cardio and improve your reaction skills.

What has been your greatest achievement in the last year?
Hiking 8km in the mountains with two small children. It’s a real achievement for two reasons – the experience was a first for me and obviously with kids the distance felt twice as long!

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
I’ve already moved between countries several times. I’ve previously lived in Ukraine, Israel and right now I’m in Poland. It’s been a different experience in each place for sure. I would like to try to live in Japan as I think they’re rational and logical in many ways over there, which I appreciate.

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Interested in joining the LoopMe team? Take a look at our careers page.

The latest edition of LoopMe’s employee spotlights features John Hans, a Sales Director based in New York.

Why did you decide to join LoopMe?
I decided to join LoopMe because I knew I wanted to work at an ad tech company with an interesting product. I also wanted to be a part of a smaller team where I had the opportunity to make an impact and help grow a particular market. I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of growing our mid-market presence and watching the organization grow up around me over the past 4 years.

What motivates you to come to work?
Being in sales, money and closing deals is a big motivator for me. I truly love the excitement of closing business and building client relationships. I’m also motivated by career growth and by helping solve challenges for my clients through LoopMe’s products. LoopMe’s been a fantastic place to advance my career, bring reliable products to my clients, and close deals!

Can you discuss a skill you’ve acquired or developed while working at LoopMe?
I’ve been able to hone many skills while at LoopMe. Above all, I’ve learned how to present more confidently and concisely, which allows me to bring complex solutions to my clients in a way that’s easy for them to comprehend and see the value in.

What has been your greatest achievement in the last year?
I had several great moments in 2023. Above all those moments was being named Looper of the Year for 2023. 

If you could invite any public figure to dinner, who would you choose and why?
I would choose Joe Rogan. I’ve learned so much about different subjects through his content and the guests he has on. I like that he’s curious about all sorts of different topics and that he’s always interested in learning new things. I also respect that he’s not afraid to challenge ideas and most importantly, admit when he’s wrong.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
By the time this comes out, I will be newly married to my beautiful fiancée, Chloe. We also have a baby girl on the way. I’m a massive sports fan, dog lover (especially my dog, Sadie), and podcast enthusiast. I’m a big proponent of mental health, which is why I meditate on a daily basis. I love learning new things and spending time with my fiancée and dog.

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Want to join the LoopMe team? Take a look at our open vacancies.

Dnipro-based Talent Partner Olha Mohunova gives us an insight into life at LoopMe, her favourite books, and why she would invite the creator of Star Trek to dinner in the latest of LoopMe’s employee spotlights.

Life at LoopMe

Why did you decide to join LoopMe?
When I joined LoopMe, it was one of the few product-focused companies in Dnipro. I was just starting out and it was a chance to join a team that develops their own product, rather than developing one for someone somewhere else.

What motivates you to come to work?
People. My team. It means so much to work in such a great environment, with colleagues all over the world.

Can you discuss a skill you’ve acquired or developed while working at LoopMe?
I’ve grown and grown as a professional at LoopMe. From a researcher who had just started to work with tech candidates I progressed to the position of Talent Partner. I developed my communication skills, language level and proficiency in negotiation. Sometimes it was really challenging, but it was worth it. 

Who are you?

Do you have any hobbies?
Yes, I have a lot of hobbies. I love reading – especially fantasy, romance and detective stories. Among my favourite books are Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg and the Sherlock Holmes stories. I love series too. So if I know what to do with a human body, it’s just because I like Criminal Minds, don’t worry! I’m also into sports (yoga, gym, running, stretching) and embroidery – some of my clothes feature my own embroidered dragons – it’s not a print!

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
Hawaii, I guess. Sun, sea and sand as well as interesting people and traditions. Maybe I’d finally learn to swim there too.

If you could invite any public figure to dinner, who would you choose and why?
I think it would have to be Gene Roddenberry. The person who created such an awesome series that lives on today, built on the idea of great equality, gathering and exploring new worlds, must be really interesting. I would want to ask him – how it felt, how the idea came to him and what his opinions are – why his story continues to grow and develop even now after almost 60 years. How did he do it?!

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Interested in joining the LoopMe team? Take a look at our careers page.

Shanghai-based Sales Manager Rocky Zheng shares his experiences, motivations and aspirations in the latest of LoopMe’s employee spotlights.

Life at LoopMe

Why did you decide to join LoopMe?
I joined LoopMe because I’m really into tech and advertising, and PurchaseLoop is right at the heart of both. I’m betting that AI and tech are going to massively reshape the advertising scene in the next few years, and I want to be part of that change. Also, China is a big and exciting market that I’m keen to dive into to help grow our business. Plus, I’m super excited about working with the awesome APAC team!

Can you discuss a skill you’ve acquired or developed while working at LoopMe?
Working with a new market needs a solid strategy, good allies, and a worldwide view. Yes, sales folks always aim to increase profits. But with LoopMe being a bit of a mystery to many potential clients here, it’s vital to team up and produce informative content to win people’s trust. The hurdles in the Chinese market have stretched my vision from just focusing on sales to seeing the bigger, global picture. I’m always pushing to make new progress.

Do you have any WFH routines or rituals?
After a long day of meetings, I enjoy a short break playing with my cat, Tongtong. I also like to cook meals as a reward. Both petting Tongtong and cooking meals help me recharge while working from home.

Who are you?

Tell us a bit about yourself.
Born and raised in Wenzhou, China, I studied in New Jersey and New York for three years. After graduation, I lived in Texas, Beijing, and Shanghai. My career spans technology and advertising, having worked at Oracle, LinkedIn, Cloudera, and now LoopMe. I’m a fan of hitting the road and exploring new places during my time off. I’ve driven coast to coast in the US, from New York to California, and completed a similar trek in China, from Beijing to Guangzhou. My travels also took me to Latin America and Southeast Asia. Europe is on my to-visit list. And I’m really excited about the upcoming meeting with the APAC team in Singapore. Furthermore, if you’re planning a trip to China, you can’t miss visiting Shanghai. Send me a message and I’ll guide you to some of my favorite dining spots in the city.

Do you have any hobbies?
Experimenting with different coffees and bubble teas! Believe it or not, Shanghai is like a coffee lover’s paradise, boasting the highest number of coffee shops globally. My day typically kicks off with a cup of coffee. And that’s not all – I love taking a cup of coffee along when I visit partners like a friendly gesture. And when it’s time to meet clients, I always prefer a cozy coffee shop. There’s just something about sipping on coffee and discussing business that seems perfect.

What was your greatest achievement last year?
Last year, I was licensed to host another TEDx event in my community and I also volunteered at a few local charities. I met a lot of new people who are as passionate about inspiring speeches and helping out as I am. This year, I’m turning my focus to the future of graphic and video content, which is set to dramatically change because of AI. AIGC is a hot topic in my discussions with agencies and clients, so I’m planning to spend some time learning more about it.

Kajan Anand, a Senior Finance Manager based in London, shares his experiences in the latest instalment of LoopMe’s employee spotlights, a series designed to offer an insight into the LoopMe team’s work, life, motivations and aspirations.

Life at LoopMe

Why did you decide to join LoopMe?
LoopMe’s technology, innovation and culture of pushing boundaries were major factors in deciding to join. Seeing the YoY growth, especially in such a difficult market, also had me excited at LoopMe’s potential. To hopefully play a small part in LoopMe’s future success felt like it would be an achievement in itself.

What project or event has been your favourite to work on at LoopMe?
Being a part of the team which brought the Poland entity to life was an incredibly formidable task yet one that I found very fulfilling. Bucket loads of paperwork, Excel workbooks, and a multitude of calls with Polish accountants, HR specialists and tax advisors all came together as part of a massive team effort. Seeing the entity grow from 0 to 50 employees in no time at all is testament to the growth of LoopMe as a business.

Similarly, working on LoopMe’s first carbon emission report with Chloe Hill has also been extremely rewarding. A lot of time has been invested to get to the source of all of LoopMe’s emissions but we have now hopefully set the groundwork to start deep-diving into our emissions to see what improvements we can make to our sustainability effort. It’s great to work for a business who prioritises and understands their environmental responsibilities.

What motivates you to come to work?
The team, 100%! I feel very blessed that I have colleagues who I can learn from, collaborate with and who challenge me. The reality TV gossip and rounds of Baby Guinnesses are truly the cherry on top. It’s never a bad day in the office when you’re surrounded by such great people!

Also, I must mention the phenomenal output from the team in Ukraine over the last 2 years. The team’s robustness and diligence in the face of extraordinarily difficult circumstances makes me proud to call them all colleagues

Who are you?

Tell us a bit about yourself.
Born and raised in Lewisham, South East London to Sri Lankan Tamil parents. I studied Maths at Cardiff University and then fell into accountancy following graduation. My career background has predominantly been in media and brand design so I have always enjoyed working in innovative, forward-thinking industries.

What was your greatest achievement last year?
Managing to purchase a home with my wife at the beginning of last year. The housing market was chaotic and there were several moments where we thought that the whole sale may fall through. It could have been very stressful but we were very lucky that we managed to get it over the line in the 11th hour.

Do you have any hobbies?
A new home has meant most of my time and energy has gone into fixing and/ or breaking things in the house. A patient brother-in-law and 1,001 YouTube tutorials was all I ever needed to guide me. I never realised how much satisfaction I could get from spending 2 hours unclogging an external drain.

However, the less said about the radiator which, as we speak, is still leaking in the bathroom, the better.