While at Boston University, Jillian got involved with AdLab, an entirely student-run advertising agency, where she worked closely with local clients to develop multiple marketing strategies. She conducted interviews with customers of a small wine shop in Waltham, Massachusetts, gathering insights on consumer habits and demographics. “It was really fun,” she says. “I got to tie [my major] into the advertising side, which was the perfect balance.”
Her role as an Account Planner and Assistant Account Executive with AdLab left her wanting to explore more aspects of advertising. Shortly thereafter Jillian expanded her knowledge working as a Marketing and Audit Intern with Addus Healthcare in Chicago. “You’re working with a local community and you really get to know the people and learn what’s important to them … and then shaping those findings into something that’s relevant for the brand,” she explained. “That was a great experience.”
Jillian’s first job was with Zoom as a Business Development Coordinator out of their New York City office. Since she began, she has continuously learned new things about the digital out-of-home marketplace. In 2015 Zoom went through a major rebrand and repositioning of its product, handing off their social nightlife, active family and outdoor mural networks in favor of a dedicated focus on the fitness and active lifestyle areas. Also that year, Jillian was promoted to her current role as the Senior Coordinator of Strategic Solutions.
“I really love our company culture,” she says. “Zoom focuses on client relationships. We work with so many different companies and it’s all about tailoring our services to meet their needs.” Jillian admits that this can sometimes be a bit of a struggle, but that the payoff of figuring out and executing an effective strategy is what excites her the most. “It’s just the greatest feeling to see that come to reality and be able to say ‘hey, this worked’ and ‘this was a great program, you should definitely do it again.’”
During her first two years with the company, Jillian concentrated on doing her job well and figuring out the best way to accomplish her tasks. Her focus has shifted to evaluating what kind of impact she can have on the company beyond her daily responsibilities. “Zoom has given me an opportunity to really grow,” she says. “You’re always learning and seeing the best ways to reach people and it’s always changing.”