Will Work For Love: Rachel Rote, DOmedia, Columbus, Ohio
This month, we introduce Rachel Rote, director of agency business development at DOmedia in Columbus, Ohio, where she oversees the relationship with the company’s 650+ advertising agencies and brands and develops tools to enhance the media planning and buying process.
- Describe your personal work space.
I have the corner cube, which is clutch, with a nice Mac, good headphones, and access to white boards.
- How do you get to work?
When I’m working in Columbus, I drive to our downtown office. But when I’m conducting client visits, which are mostly split between New York and Chicago, planes and taxis are my modus operandi.
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What is an average day like?
There isn’t really an average day here and that’s what I love. It can range from product development (designing how the site should work), testing for an upcoming release, reaching out to potential agency clients, and training current users. Sometimes, it can involve two or three of those at the same time.
- What is essential to you being able to work happily?
I just need the big three: (a) iced coffee; (b) music; and (c) a to-do list.
- How flexible are your working conditions?
I would say that our working conditions are quite flexible because everything here is web-based, which means that we can work from pretty much anywhere that has an Internet connection. I do, however, prefer being in our office because it offers better opportunities to collaborate and brainstorm with my co-workers.
- What do you think your employer looks for in its staff?
Well, we are an entrepreneurial company, so we really value people who take charge and handle responsibility, who collaborate well with others, and who value flexibility in their job functions.
- What suggestions do you have for your company?
“Bring your Parents to Work Day.” – My Mom
- Do you have any frustrations you would like to share with us?
Oh, you know, just the usual … caring too much, not having enough time to go to the gym, putting my career before my personal life. Oh wait, that last one was true!
- What do you like best about your job?
I love that moment when you can see your client’s jaw actually drop because you absolutely exceeded his or her expectations. It’s such an exhilarating feeling.
- How open is your company to new ideas and suggestions?
I would say that our company, in my experience, provides one of the best environments in regards to welcoming and encouraging new ideas and suggestions. Our business demands each of us to devise creative solutions and tinker with different formats on a daily basis. We also thrive on client feedback because that brings new ideas into the mix for us to toss around, which, ultimately, leads to a more eloquent and efficient product.
- How much responsibility have you been given?
I have a ton of responsibilities, especially when I compare it with my classmates that I graduated with a couple years ago who work for other companies. But it’s something that I relish and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s like playing competitive basketball: why bother playing if you’re too scared to take the big shot at the end of the game?
- How green are you and your company?
We are avid recyclers and are always conscious about not generating too much paper waste in the office. I’ve been developing my own green initiative plans if you want to see them…
- What inspires you?
Science breakthroughs! I love learning about science pioneers that are constantly on the leading edge of exploration. Consequently, I live and breathe TED talks, Wired Magazine articles, and listening to the NPR programs RadioLab and Science Friday with Ira Flato.
- What are your ambitions?
I have a list of ‘30 Things to do Before I’m 30’. So far I have been able to knock off skydiving, visit Vegas, hike down Pompeii, and appear on TV. Next up – riding in a hot air balloon.
- If you could change only one thing, what would it be?
I’m assuming that the laws of physics don’t apply for the purposes of this question, so I’m going to say that I wish I could instantaneously teleport to anywhere I want to go. It would really cut down on my commute to New York and Chicago.
- How much time do you devote to social networking?
I would say that I devote a fair amount of time using LinkedIn to keep in contact with people and to spread the word. But I’m usually so busy that I don’t have the time to be glued to it.
- What are your most useful tools you use to do your job?
It depends. If I’m working on our website, then it’s got to be Excel spreadsheets and knowing all the keyboard shortcuts. But if I’m working with a client, the most useful tools that I use are the insight I’ve developed and the experience that I’ve gained from working on a day-to-day basis with clients to know what they are looking for.
- What would be your dream job?
Hmmm, it’s definitely a toss up between producing NPR’s Science Friday segments and working for the Colbert Report.
- What makes you laugh during the work day?
Since I’m the funniest person in the office, I bring the goods. Heavy lies the crown!
Categories: DailyDOOH Update
Definitely true to form Rachel!
She IS the funniest person in the office, and a really wonderful person to work with. We love having Rachel on the team and in our lives!
[Recruiters.. don’t pay any attention to her.. trust me, she’s content doing all the work, having all the responsibility, and making very little money. “Dream job!”]
😉
Adam
by Adam Malone on Jul 3, 2012 at 13:46 @615
If the reader only knew what played through those headphones. You can take the girl out of the 90s but you can’t take the 90s out of the girl.
Rachel Rote: dropping clients’ jaws since 2009
by Erik Osmond on Jul 3, 2012 at 14:45 @656
I love the scooter and santa hat!
Sounds like a snazzy person to work with!
by Jackson Merell on Jul 3, 2012 at 17:17 @762
Caffeine is dependent upon Rachel to start its day
Her rate card is half of yours
Street teams always give her more swag then the brand permits
She receives “make goods” prior to campaign start dates
Her Vespa is fueled by repurposed Dpb creative
She is the most interesting woman in OOH
by Jacob Thomas on Jul 3, 2012 at 18:21 @806
If you dig her Vespa, you should see her bright green Taurus!
Rachel = Rock Star, Comedian, and all around Wonder Woman!
Just another reason why working at DOmedia is awesome!
by Alex Baker on Jul 3, 2012 at 18:37 @817
Rachel – Greatest Co-worker Ever.
by Jeff R. Lamb on Jul 6, 2012 at 23:12 @008
This interview nailed it. Rachel is the funniest person in the office and is awesome to work with. I’m just hoping that if she lands that dream job with Colbert she’ll put in a good word for me. DOmedia is a close second though.
by Trevor Hecht on Jul 9, 2012 at 01:30 @104