Category: Employee spotlight

David Barnett, LoopMe’s Head of Creative Operations based in London, talks about working under pressure, the value of compassion, and his hobbies.

---

What project or event has been your favourite at LoopMe?
I joined in the midst of Q4 madness (Halloween to be precise, best day of the year), so whilst I wanted to inject some innovation and creativity into my new role, I understood that it was more of a ‘get my hands dirty & help steer the ship’ situation. My first project was a pinball/gamification unit for McDonalds, one of two brands left on my bucket list that I hadn’t ever worked for. It was memorable as we had only 2-3 days to build it, but as per our SLA’s, it had a 15 day turnaround time given its bespoke nature. So cracking on and getting it done in time AND watching it perform very well was satisfying. 

Can you discuss a skill you’ve acquired or developed while working at LoopMe?
I’ve developed a much deeper sense of empathy since joining LoopMe. Watching my Ukrainian colleagues show incredible strength and positivity despite the ongoing conflict has been profoundly moving. It’s changed how I see challenges, both at work and personally, and reminded me how powerful compassion, understanding, and human connection can be. A little love goes a long way. 

Do you have any WFH routines or rituals?
I have more of an office ritual than a WFH one. I do my best not to sit at my desk (nothing personal against my team, you’re all incredible people). You’ll often find me in one of the sofa clumps dotted around, hot-desking with sales or, on rare occasions, sitting in the kitchen. However, that last spot can be difficult to get work done with the sheer volume of coffee the people in this office drink; everyone loves to chat whilst the kettle is brewing. 

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m half Australian, half British living in London, and I have 2 Scottish terriers, Galahad and Uther, who are not as well behaved as everyone in the office thinks they are.  I can speak/read Swedish at the level of your average toddler, according to my Scandinavian friends, and I would say that the thing I hold the most pride in is my ability to tell great stories; don’t get me near a campfire or you won’t be able to shut me up. A fun fact about me – I’ve been bitten by the world’s most venomous spider, on my first day of uni, no less!

Do you have any hobbies?
I’m a bit of a secret nerd, having interests ranging from card/board/tabletop games through to all things space-related. I also love discovering other people’s weird hobbies/quirks and having them tell me all about it; other people’s passions really bring something out in me. On top of that, I’m a huge fan of live music, but have recently discovered I’m getting old after breaking several ribs in an incident involving crowd surfing and a swirling mosh pit. 

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
It breaks my heart not to say Australia here, because it truly is the most beautiful country on the planet, but if we put that aside, I’d say Iceland. Having gone there a few years back, I experienced what can only be described as walking through real-life Game of Thrones. The sweeping tundras, the active volcanoes, the northern lights (that I accidentally slept through after a pizza-induced nap). If you can survive -25°C/-13°F and endless nights for a large portion of the year, I couldn’t recommend it any higher.  

---

Want to find out more about LoopMe’s creative capabilities? Visit our Creative Studio page.

Yoli Zhang, LoopMe’s APAC Marketing Manager based in Beijing, talks about working as part of a global team and how experiencing different cultures fuels her creativity.

---

Why did you decide to join LoopMe?
LoopMe’s AI-driven brand advertising platform immediately captivated me. The advertising industry’s dynamic nature keeps me engaged, and I thrive on the challenge of developing strategies that resonate with diverse audiences. As the APAC marketing manager, I’m motivated by the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the company’s growth in the region. The collaborative culture at LoopMe continually fuels my drive and keeps me energized. With my previous experience at Chartboost, I bring a deep understanding of mobile app monetization and a strong grasp of publisher expectations and market needs in APAC. I’m excited to leverage my expertise to contribute to LoopMe’s growth in this market.

What project or event has been your favourite at LoopMe?
At LoopMe, one of my favorite projects was organizing a mid-year client appreciation party for the PurchaseLoop Singapore team. Despite being based in China, with the APAC sales team in Singapore and our design and marketing teams in the UK, we worked seamlessly across locations. From event planning and client invitations to artwork design and onsite execution, the teamwork was exceptional. The event received fantastic feedback from clients, enhanced LoopMe’s brand awareness, and provided valuable insights for improving future APAC initiatives.

Can you discuss a skill you’ve acquired or developed while working at LoopMe?
I’ve had the opportunity to learn about the brand advertising ecosystem, and how this fits into the adtech landscape. To enhance LoopMe’s brand awareness across APAC, I began building new media relationships and exploring various industry events. Throughout this process, I significantly improved my cross-cultural communication skills. I’m especially grateful to our Head of APAC whose extensive experience in brand advertising and valuable marketing resources have been instrumental in my development.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
Hi, I’m Yoli Zhang, based in Beijing, and I’m the APAC Marketing Manager at LoopMe. With seven years of experience in B2B marketing within the adtech industry, I thrive on the challenges of expanding brands into new markets and am always eager to learn about different cultures. I’m fortunate to be part of a highly professional marketing team here at LoopMe. Our team is passionate, diligent, and brimming with creativity. I’m proud to work alongside such a talented group of people.

Do you have any hobbies?
I enjoy traveling and immersing myself in new cultures and cuisines, as it broadens my perspective and fuels my creativity. I’m also passionate about puzzle and simulation games, watching movies, and reading books on innovation and marketing. These activities help me stay balanced and continually inspire fresh ideas, which I then bring to my work.

What has been your greatest achievement in the last year?
In the past year, I’m most proud of successfully launching a series of APAC campaigns that boosted LoopMe’s brand awareness and customer engagement. I also led the localization of our marketing materials for the Chinese market, which played a pivotal role in attracting new clients. I’m grateful to our design team, who have been instrumental in all of my event initiatives—nothing would have been possible without their brilliant ideas and dedication.

---

Interested in working at LoopMe? Visit our careers page.

LoopMe’s Jeff Carlson, VP Product Management based in Austin, talks about integrating Chartboost into LoopMe, his professional motivations, his favorite baseball team, and more.

---

What project or event has been your favorite at LoopMe?
Helping integrate Chartboost into LoopMe has been a very rewarding experience. It is great to meet a whole new set of leaders in industry.

Why did you decide to work in this industry?
The mobile app industry started shortly after I arrived in Silicon Valley. It was the hot startup trend and I jumped in building apps for the App Store. That evolved into focusing on app challenges like monetization and user acquisition in time.

What motivates you to come to work?
Solving challenging industry problems for our customers and partners and collaborating with great people across this industry have me excited to come to work everyday.

Who would you consider your main role model and why?
Superman. He always does the right thing and fights hard for what he believes in. I still have the red cape I used to run around in as a kid.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
Austin Texas because it has the best vibe, food, live music while also having a growing tech industry and my family loves it here.

If you could invite any public figure to dinner, who would you choose and why?
The Phillie Phanatic, the mascot of the Philadelphia Phillies. I love baseball and we can grab hot dogs while catching a night game at the ballpark.

---

LoopMe is hiring! Take a look at our latest vacancies.

Kacper Cesarz, a Senior DevOps Engineer based in Krakow, offers an insight into the skills he’s developed at LoopMe, his achievements, his passion for darts, and more.

---

Why did you decide to join LoopMe?
I joined LoopMe through the referral program, so I already had a good sense that the team would be great. The challenges described during the recruitment process were very appealing, and the technology stack was also a big draw for me. On top of that, everyone I met during the interviews left a truly positive impression. Before joining LoopMe, I spent my entire career in fintech. I was genuinely curious to explore what the tech world looked like beyond that industry—and I’m glad I made the leap.

Can you discuss a skill you’ve acquired or developed while working at LoopMe?
One of the most valuable experiences is working with a low-latency, multi-geography system that processes a massive number of requests continuously. It’s been incredible to work on a system of this scale. Even the simplest tasks can be tricky when performance is such a critical factor. It’s taught me to be more thoughtful and precise in my work. I’ve also appreciated the chance to communicate regularly in English—something I didn’t get to do much in my previous roles.

Do you have any WFH routines or rituals?
Thanks to the flexibility of remote work, I have much more time for myself. If I wake up early (which doesn’t happen too often!), I like to start the day with a delicious breakfast and freshly ground coffee brewed in a V60. Then I take my dog Karmel for a one-hour walk. Throughout the day, we usually take breaks to play and relax together—he definitely helps keep things balanced.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I come from a small village called Siedlce. The nearest town is Chęciny, where you can visit a beautiful medieval castle and go kayaking on a scenic river. I’m a big sports enthusiast and have tried many disciplines over the years. The ones I’ve enjoyed the most are Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and street workout—which I recently picked up again after a two-year break. These days, I spend most of my free time with my fiancée and our dog, Karmel. I also love reading, and my favorite book series is The Witcher saga.

Do you have any hobbies?
In addition to sports, which I mentioned earlier, I really enjoy watching darts—especially when our Polish player Krzysztof Ratajski is competing, or the Scottish legend Gary Anderson. I also play occasionally with my brother, although I rarely win—he always manages to beat me! Another hobby of mine is cooking. I’m particularly passionate about baking Neapolitan-style pizza. A few years ago, I bought a special amateur pizza oven for home use, and I hope to upgrade to a more advanced one someday.

What has been your greatest achievement in the last year?
I’m proud to have earned the KubeAstronaut title this year. To achieve it, I had to pass all five Kubernetes-related certifications, proctored by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation. Each one required solving real-world problems using hands-on, practical knowledge.
Continuous improvement of my technical skills is very important to me, and I enjoy challenging myself—so reaching this goal was both meaningful and rewarding.

---

Want to find out more about life at LoopMe? Visit our careers page.

Hanna Vasylkivska, LoopMe’s Senior Office Manager based in Dnipro, tells us about helping create small moments of joy, the strength of the Ukrainian people, and more.

---

Why did you decide to join LoopMe?
Believe it or not, I think this story is a sign that fate exists! When the war started, I couldn’t help but think that my profession might no longer be as in demand as before. These thoughts were really weighing me down. Spring 2023 was the peak of my internal question: “What’s next?” And then — LoopMe’s recruiters reached out! Looks like the universe heard me, right? All the interview stages went incredibly smoothly and were even fun! But, I’ll admit, before the final interview with the CTO, I was really nervous! And guess what? It didn’t just go well, but it was the easiest, most friendly, and most sincere conversation. I couldn’t have imagined it would be like this! I’m loving being part of LoopMe, and that everything happened just this way!

What motivates you to come to work?
Without a doubt, the answer here is — people! Everything my team does every day, whether we’re coming up with new ideas or organizing something important — it’s all for the people and helping bring small moments of joy in these tough times for our country! And also, could you imagine that by joining a new workplace, in such a short period of time, you’d end up with the best community of incredibly awesome, professional, and beautiful women? I’m talking about the Ukrainian Finance and People team. I couldn’t believe it either, but it happened!

What project or event has been your favorite?
I could list a whole bunch of things because, almost every week, my team and I try to come up with something fun for everyone! But if I had to pick my favorites — it would definitely be organizing Company Day and the New Year Party! Yes, it’s months of tough prep work (and, of course, the occasional mistake), but it’s all so worth it! The vibe on those days, the team’s mood when we can all just relax together and forget about our to-do lists for a while — that’s the real magic!

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m Hanna — a daughter, a sister, a wife, a great friend, and of course, the Office Manager of LoopMe’s Ukrainian office. Or, as my lovely colleagues like to say, the star of our team. I’ve been with the company for almost two years now, and every single day I’m grateful to be surrounded by these amazing people — a team that lifts you up even on the gloomiest Monday. I truly love my job, because it’s not just about “tea-coffee-printers” — it’s about creating an atmosphere. It’s about small ideas that turn into big smiles. It’s about events that might take months to prepare, but always light up the room when they happen. I believe the office isn’t just a place — it’s a vibe. And together with my team, we know exactly how to make it a great one.

Do you have any hobbies?
Oh yes, I’ve got quite a few hobbies — cooking, painting, Zumba… But for the past three years, my absolute favorite has been bead weaving! It’s my kind of meditation: choosing the colors, picking the patterns, working with the tiny details — and then watching it all come together into something beautiful and full of life. When the full-scale war began, this hobby took on a whole new meaning. I started taking part in charity fairs, selling my handmade jewelry to raise funds for our defenders. I weave to help close urgent fundraisers — for tourniquets, vehicles, you name it. And honestly, it’s a very special kind of joy — when your hobby becomes more than just a hobby. It becomes a way to help. Made by hand. With meaning. And with love.

Who would you consider your main role model and why?
My greatest role models are my family, my friends, and the incredibly strong Ukrainian people. Every day, I see strength, resilience, kindness, and unbreakable spirit in them. In everyone who supports, helps, and keeps going — even when it’s hard. These are the people who don’t just inspire — they remind me why it’s worth moving forward, becoming a better version of myself, and never losing compassion. With role models like that around me, I feel motivated to act with love, work with purpose, and live with dignity.

---

LoopMe is hiring! Apply for open roles via our careers page.

Sydney-based Felicity Wainwright, Senior Sales Manager, talks about helping to launch a business in Australia, her interest in adtech, and her life outside of work.

---

Why did you decide to join LoopMe?
Prior to LoopMe, I was working at JCDecaux, where I became more and more interested in programmatic out-of-home (OOH). It made me realise I wanted to work on the digital and technology side of advertising, so when the role at LoopMe popped up and I had the chance to not only move into tech, but help launch a business in Australia, I jumped at the opportunity.

Why did you decide to work in this industry?
Honestly, I moved into advertising because I was working in the NGO space previously and was looking to find a more stable job. I started working at Dentsu as an Exec and I remember being told that I would spend 80% of my day in Excel. I love Excel so I was very excited by that. On my first day I was given a swipe card to enter the building (rather than a single, silver key) and saw the amount of Milo I could have (for free!) and my decision was finalised. 

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m 34 years old, I live by the ocean in Sydney with my partner Harrison. I adore dogs, although I don’t have one myself, and I prefer early mornings to late nights. I’m extremely curious and love having conversations about the meaning of life or anything else equally existential. 

Do you have any hobbies?
Yes, I have tons. I love to read (anything psychology-related), to run, I travel whenever possible, and I’m currently writing a book. 

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
This is an answer that constantly changes. Right now, Costa Rica because I’m learning Spanish and have recently learnt how to surf. 

---

Interested in joining the LoopMe team? Head over to our careers page.

Jessica Leader, Senior Account Manager for LoopMe’s AMP Audience & Measurement Platform, features in LoopMe’s employee spotlight series.

---

Why did you decide to work in this industry?
I chose to work in the adtech industry because I saw an opportunity to couple my passion for technology with my interest in understanding human behavior and the ways our favorite brands connect with consumers. This industry is constantly adapting, and I excel in environments where growth is essential. I am always looking to learn about new trends in AI and machine learning. This is an exciting moment in adtech, and it is fascinating to be in a position to participate in the advancement of brand measurement, and helping brands understand the significance of their campaigns. 

What motivates you to come to work?
I am motivated by the projects I’m working on with my team. I also enjoy working with my clients and being a resource for them. Client satisfaction is important to me, and I have been lucky enough to work with some tremendously talented clients who are also valuable partners. When I started, we were introducing our self-serve brand measurement platform to clients and the broader team. Working collaboratively with clients has been an honor, and I am pleased to watch how they have grown and become deeply invested in using our self-serve platform.

Do you have any WFH routines or rituals?
I have developed some routines and rituals for working from home that help keep me grounded and focused. There is a dedicated workspace to keep a division between my home and work and ensure optimal productivity. There is also a separate space where I will take meetings. Creating these routines and boundaries when working from home is essential to working effectively and efficiently. I stretch and try to take moments to walk around a bit. I also create a list of tasks at the end of each workday to ensure that I am set up for success the following day.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I grew up in Massachusetts. Growing up I loved being in nature, and enjoyed being in my backyard drawing different plants, and writing short stories. On Sundays, I enjoy catching up on my favorite sports teams. Another passion of mine is pottery. I currently live with my partner in the Hudson Valley. My partner and I collect records, and will listen to a record each day. I enjoy a strong cappuccino.

Do you have any hobbies?
I enjoy watching hockey and football. I also paint the pottery I make. My partner and I enjoy listening to comedy podcasts.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
I would still live in New York, because I love New York. My mom is from upstate, so I have a lot of memories here.

---

LoopMe is hiring! Take a look at our careers page.

Engineering Director Oleksandr Chornomaz, based in Krakow, offers an insight into his professional motivations as well as his life outside of work in the latest of LoopMe’s employee spotlights.

---

Why did you decide to join LoopMe?
I’ve always wanted to work at a startup, and when I joined back in 2016, the company still had a very dynamic and flexible management style. There were no strictly defined roles – everyone contributed in any way they could, based on their skills and abilities. I really resonated with that approach. I was deeply passionate about my work and grew alongside the company. Back then, we had a small team of developers working together in an open space, where we could freely exchange ideas. Some of the best concepts emerged from those discussions, even from heated but productive debates.

What project or event has been your favourite to work on at LoopMe?
Over nearly nine years at LoopMe, I’ve had the opportunity to work on almost every major engineering project within the company – from our core product at the time, the DSP, to our first SDK integrations, and even in the Data Science team. However, my favourite project has to be the Intelligent Marketplace. It serves as the backbone that connects all our products into a unified ecosystem – essentially the heart of the company, where speed meets innovation.

Can you discuss a skill you’ve acquired or developed while working at LoopMe?
When I joined LoopMe, my background was primarily in networking and server administration. However, my true aspiration was to become a software developer. In a way, I started from scratch, despite having already spent seven years in IT as a Network Engineer and DevOps specialist. At LoopMe, I honed my programming skills and, over time, expanded into management, business strategy, and product development. Learning to look beyond just the technical aspects and build products that drive revenue has been incredibly motivating for me.

Tell us a bit about yourself
I come from a small town near Dnipro called Pidhorodne. Since childhood, I’ve been fascinated by technology – I always wanted to understand how things work. As a kid, I would take apart all my electronic toys, though not all of them made it back to their original state! My interest in IT started back in school. I kept up with the latest tech news, built computers for myself and my friends simply because I enjoyed it. Over time, this curiosity evolved into a passion, ultimately shaping my career into what it is today.

Do you have any hobbies?
Throughout my life, I’ve had a variety of hobbies, from folk dancing to basketball. Sports have always been a big part of my life, and I love trying new activities. In school, I was the captain of my basketball team and even envisioned a future in professional leagues, but IT eventually won me over. More recently, when I lived in Cyprus for a year and a half, I took up rowing – a fascinating and highly disciplined sport. At the moment, I stay active by regularly working out at the gym, keeping in shape for any new sport I might want to try in the future.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
I don’t have a specific location in mind, but my ideal place would be somewhere close to mountains, the sea, or the ocean. I value being able to retreat into nature from time to time, to recharge and spend quality moments with loved ones—whether in the forest, the mountains, or on the water. At the same time, I want to live in a place that is technologically advanced, with strong opportunities for growth and surrounded by inspiring people. I’m still searching for my dream city, but I’m confident I’ll find it someday!

---

Interested in working at LoopMe? Take a look at our open vacancies.

Craig Baillie, Team Lead for EMEA Account Management based in London, features in LoopMe’s employee spotlight series.

---

Why did you decide to join LoopMe?
Years ago, I was agency side over at Dentsu, where Neil (now our VP Sales EMEA) used to sell into the accounts I worked closely across. I was quite aware of LoopMe’s PurchaseLoop product suite, with this being completely unique in market and a massive USP/deciding factor in me wanting to join the company, looking to direct my career down the account management pathway. These interests, as well as the AI capabilities LoopMe offered and fast-growth culture really attracted me during the recruitment process.

What motivates you to come to work?
The people I work with hands down. The way we work collaboratively – internally across a multi-faceted layer of teams, all working to achieve certain goals and deliver value is the biggest motivational factor, as well as externally with the client relationships we nurture. There are extremely hard-working, committed and talented people working within LoopMe, and I really value being able to work with and learn from them every day.

Can you discuss a skill you’ve acquired or developed while working at LoopMe?
Cross-functional collaboration. Working closely with a number of different teams across the organisation, honing ability to analyse data and translate insights into actionable marketing strategies for our clients. Account management across various client projects, learning to prioritise tasks effectively while maintaining high-quality servicing standards in a fast-paced and dynamic industry which is constantly changing. Each day is different and I’m always learning something new!

Do you have any hobbies?
I love my sport! I still manage to play hockey and football competitively over the weekends, and I’m also a winter sports enthusiast, hiker a fair-weather golfer! I love to travel – always wanting to visit new places and tick off cities/countries I have never been to before to experience different cultures and foods.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
I was lucky enough to spend some time in South Africa (specifically Cape Town) last year for a few weeks. Incredible place and I couldn’t recommend it enough. The backdrop is surreal and one of the best places I have ever hiked for scenery. The people are so hospitable, with the food and wine also being out of this world good! I will be back…

If you could invite any public figure to dinner, who would you choose and why?
A rogue one…but Bob Mortimer. If ever fancied a laugh over dinner concerning irrelevant topics and extravagantly made-up stories, he would be my choice. Do read his novels if you get the chance…it’s a lot of nonsense but feel-good reading.

---

LoopMe is hiring! Visit our careers page for more information.