Celtra Yearbook 2014 by Celtra Inc

CONTENTS

The Year of Coming Together

A Message From the Board

A Year in Stats

DECOR & MORE Workspaces Around the Globe

The Devil's in the Details

In the Spotlight: Sarah Fay

LIFESTYLE Our Year Through a Social Media Lens

Is There a Sport We Don’t Cover?

Street Style

Sharing the Knowledge:

Celtra’s Summer Highlight in Ljubljana

EVENTS For Our Eyes Only

Welcome to Miami

Out & About

TECH BIZ Apple vs. Oranges

106

A DevOp’s Guide to the Galaxy

110

Team Growing (Up)

111

Tattoos & graffiti: Why Creativity

112

at First Sight Doesn’t Work Anymore

CULTURE

Celtra Whisky Club

114

Celtra Recommends

124

Giving is the New Getting

126

On the Pulse

128

CONTRIBUTORS

131

celtravel

SEEKING THE pErfEcT GETaway for Two? uncharted land great potential grand scale solitude

Sponsored content: Sales, UK

Each member of the Celtra team brings something unique to the table - often, literally. The things we fill our workplaces with and the personal styles that define us, speak volumes about the diversity of our unique, global community. Ultimately, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the little things t hat make us, us.

Adamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tip of the day: from my perspective, 36

Decor & More

every problem appears tiny.

Just a quick glimpse into the wondrous holiday wardrobe of Nace.

Krista, Anina, Ajda and Mojca rocking their white All Stars with black pa ... wait a sec! Mojca, blue jeans?? Really?!

Decor & More

Andy’s chickenpox sox rox.

It’s high time for a cup of tea, sir Robert.

Decor & More

By now everyone knows Dekyi is the queen of accounting.

Anthony and the kingdom of the crystal skull?

Decor & More

I N

T H E

S P OT L I G H T:

SARAH FAY BY KARMEN LUŽNIK

Sarah Fay is a self-professed media junkie and a veteran of the media services industry. She has over two decades of experience and has, throughout her career, developed and implemented groundbreaking new models for advertising and media. An undoubtedly wellknown and respected voice in the advertising industry, she - after more than a decade at Aegis Media North America, lastly serving as it’s CEO - decided to go independent in 2009. Sarah has been on Celtra’s Board of Directors since 2011, a very vocal supporter and an inspiration to every individual in the company that has had the pleasure to come in contact with her.

Can you please tell me a little bit about yourself.

Celtra, and I’m so proud of how far the company has come since I joined. I feel we are crossing the chasm into a much bigger

I grew up in West Hartford, Connecticut, a typical New

position, and I’m so excited about our prospects in 2015!

England town, as the youngest of five children. I graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.A. in English and

What’s a typical day like for you?

a minor in Theater. I was a pretty good (not great) student, with no clue about what I wanted to do in life. I moved to the

Part of what I like about what I do is that I don’t really have

Boston area in 1984, along with my roommate from UVM,

a typical day. My days are spent pretty differently, and my

because we were able to live with her mother while getting

schedule is often filling right up until a day begins, so I am kept

our feet on the ground. I have loved Boston ever since

happily busy. I participate in board meetings regularly, travel

moving here, and have resisted moving to New York, even

to New York at least once a month, and places like California or

though it would have been a natural place for me to continue

other states periodically. Once a year, I even go to Slovenia! I

my career in the agency world.

attend marketing conferences, sometimes as a speaker, and I’m constantly meeting new people and learning about new start up

The majority of my career has been as an executive in a

companies. I’m happiest when I’m learning about something new

media and digital marketing agency. I consider myself

and innovative, or when I am called in to brainstorm or help solve

extremely lucky to have had the career opportunities I’ve

a particular challenge with a team I am engaged with – like Celtra.

been given. It would be nice to say that luck had nothing to do with my success, but my timing entering the digital space

How do you motivate yourself and stay motivated?

couldn’t have been better, and I have also had a number of serendipitous turns that have put me in the right time and

I am still so fascinated by the entire marketing space and

place, with the right people supporting me.

the companies I work with, as well as their specific market segments. I read about what is happening in our industry through friends’ posts, and our industry publications. I follow

Make no mistake, I seized the opportunities I was given, and worked hard everyday to make my businesses succeed.

industry personalities and their company stories with interest.

I joined an agency called Freeman Associates in 1993, and

I have no interest in not participating – life is more fun being a part of the fabric of the industry. I want to help make an impact, and the idea that I can do that is motivational.

stayed for the next 16 years (!), although the company and my position in it changed numerous times over that period. I have worked with some of the smartest people and biggest brands in the world. Every day in the agency world was an adventure and a challenge – the experience I gained was invaluable to me and full of happy memories. Since I left Aegis in 2009, I’ve been serving as a Board Director or Advisor to a number of companies in the digital media

I have gotten to know many people in the marketing business who I consider friends. It is not hard to stay motivated when your career is so much a part of your life, and the industry marketplace surrounding you is full of such amazing stories. These past 20 years have been like a fast-moving novel I can’t put down.

start up space, including Celtra, which I consider to be a key company in my professional life today. This stage of my career

What woman inspires you and why?

is my favorite so far, as I have continued to learn and grow. I love being part of the start up economy, and feeling the

So many women! I’m lucky to have worked with many, many

movement and growth in the marketplace. Celtra has been

women I have found to be inspirational, and there are also a

an ideal example of a company that entered the market at

number of strong women in my family and network of friends

exactly the right time with leadership and vision – a winning

– I am never short on examples of original women who have

combination. I am in my 4 year as a Board Director with

asserted their desires and created their own paths.

3 KEY EVENTS

QUITTING MY 1ST JOB I WAS UNHAPPY AT

APPLYING FOR A

At 24 years.

RANDOM JOB IN AD SALES

A dear friend of mine, WHEN

Shortly after graduating college.

Joan Spindel, told me I was unhappy in my job, helped

WHAT

Met my husband, Richard Watkins, who I’ve been married to for 22 years.

me shape up my resume over a glass of wine and

HOW IT LEFT A MARK

WHY

He’s played a major role in shaping my tastes, introducing me to

hooked me up with an

experiences I know I wouldn’t otherwise have had and has supported

interview an international

me in pursuing my career, helping to raise our daughter, Grace.

publishing firm.

MY PARENTS

PETE MAY

ELLEN FREEMAN

GENEROUS AND

ONE OF MY FIRST BOSSES

FOUNDER OF FREEMAN

KIND PEOPLE

(I was 25, he was 27)

ASSOCIATES

Made me a determined

A master in understanding

One for setting audacious

optimist

the human psyche and

goals and convincing

motivating people to buy

everyone on the team we

Influenced my parenting

could achieve them

style as well as the way

Taught me everything I

I interact with people

know about selling media

in general

A formidable business woman and completely fearless, she

Patient & supportive,

used to say, “What’s the worst

I can’t remember either

pushed me to be better,

that can happen if we ?

one of them airing

and trusted me to make

We won’t die!”

grievances or lamenting

decisions

unfair situations (unless

She gave me a stone

they were laughing

We’re still friends today, I’m

engraved with the word

about them)

an investor in his business

“Strength” when she left the agency – and strength is exactly what she gave me in the years I worked with her

MENTORS 42

WRITING A PERSUASIVE LETTER TO

CONVINCE A CLIENT NOT TO TAKE HER INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ELSEWHERE When selling advertising for international high tech publications at my second job.

Landing an offer to join a start-up media agency.

Even though I was pregnant, had to take a massive pay cut, Joining the vibrant & innovative

and the firm was tiny, the timing was right for this kind of

technology industry, selling

change. Ellen Freeman made maternity leave part of her offer

advertising provided me with training

to me, and ultimately, made me a partner in the business. After

and experience that lead to all kinds of

five years of 100% year over year growth, Freeman Associates

opportunities. It made me realize what

was acquired by the global marketing services organization,

an impact one person can have on

Aegis, where I ended up staying for the next 11 years, and

another’s career just by giving advice.

worked with some of the biggest brands in the world.

DELL LARCEN

NIGEL MORRIS

DAVID VERKLIN

MY CORPORATE COACH

CEO OF AEGIS AMERICAS

MY BOSS AT AEGIS

for 8 years

& EMEA, a great friend

for 10 years

during my years at Aegis I paid for her mentorship, and it was money well spent.

To me, he is the best example of a person Helped me understand

that mastered the art of “being inspirational”

the structure of the agency

to his company and his industry

Helped me to graduate

and how we interacted with

my leadership ability from

global accounts after we

He was killer in an agency sales

running a smaller team

were acquired

pitch, and could make the person in one-

(under 100) to being able to run a company of over 1,000

on-one meetings feel like he was reading A master of navigating the

their mind

labyrinth of influencers and Taught me about

politics, knowing who should

Whip smart and known for his creativity

Performance Management,

be told what and when

and love of innovation;

how to use expectation

he would create and give presentations

setting and accountability to

Thanks to Nigel, I developed

with a main theme

empower my management

a sense of how to move big

that made his message memorable,

team to deliver on their goals

decisions forward in a global

simple and quotable

and cultivate the talent

organization, crafting a message and influencing the

I have studied his style and tried my best

It can be lonely at the top,

right players, without stepping

to emulate him over the years

and I was lucky to have

on landmines or violating

someone to reach out to

protocols in communication

during my tenure at Aegis

When I speak to audiences, or want to motivate people, I usually think, “What would David say?”

In my early agency days, I was part of an all-women management

lunch club, etc. He even assumed a leadership role in a weekly

team that was fantastic. We had plenty of “girl power”

meeting called “Current Events” which is now attracting

fueling a high growth agency. Because there were no men in

record participation from about 40 residents. At 91, with his

powerpositions, I guess I never even considered the potential

career long over, and almost all of his peers gone, my father

disadvantage of being a woman in business, and that

has reinvented himself. When I call him, he has news to report,

mentality carried into the years where I was the only woman in the

and when I visit, people tell me what a difference he is making.

boardroom at Aegis. I never even thought about it. And really what good would that have done me? You have to build relationships with both men and women to succeed in any business. I enjoyed Arianna Huffington’s book about getting past the fear that keeps us from making bold choices that would ultimately lead

It is never too late to do something that stimulates your mind, and to make an impact on others.

to more fulfillment and happiness. I think everyone knows what it is like to hold back on a decision that feels right but would disrupt your comfortable world. I have had many moments of sheer terror

You as well made what many would consider a bold move and

in my career, and have made some risky bets – but the payoff made

chose an independent path... Looking at the time you spent

them worthwhile. Arianna’s book uses examples from a number

in the agency world vs. being a free agent, would you do

of successful women who faced difficult choices but were true

anything differently knowing what you know now? If you had

to themselves in the decisions they made. I like Arianna because

to start from scratch?

she coaches women to achieve their happiest and healthiest potential. Much of what she writes is applicable to men as well.

I suppose you can always look back and cringe about something. I’m sure I can start coming up with this and that I should have done differently. But I’m so happy with my career and where I’ve ended up. I’m afraid if I changed the course of my own history that I may not be doing this today, and I am currently

· FREE AGENT · After working for a company for 16 years that claimed my loyalty and the better part of my life, I was excited to be free to make my own choices of who to work with and how to spend my time – I like the word “free”. “Free Agent” reminds me that I am doing exactly what I want to be doing, with the ability to manage my own time in ways that feel productive.

experiencing the happiest years of my career. So no, I wouldn’t change a thing! You’ve mentioned on one hand you had no idea what you wanted to do when you were at the university and you are experiencing the happiest years of your career on the other. What was your dream job as a kid and why? I took acting lessons as a kid and I was a theater minor at the University of Vermont. If we are talking “dream job” I would have loved to have been an actor - although I never saw that as a possibility, and to this day, I think pursuing acting as a career would have been futile for me. However, all of the acting lessons contributed to my ability to present, which is a big part of the agency and marketing scene. So it was a good dream to have!

What’s the most important finding you’ve made in the past year? And it has been quite a long and very successful path from This year, I was inspired by my 91–year-old father who made

your first acting lesson. Can you describe one of your biggest

the brave decision to move from his home and neighborhood

challenges you faced along the way? What lessons did you

of 28 years into an assisted living facility. It is not easy to be 91,

learn overcoming it and how did it contribute to where you

and most people would agree that an assisted living facility

are today?

wouldn’t be a first choice of living arrangements. But Dad

approached his new living situation with a positive attitude,

In the early stages of my career, I operated fairly

and started participating in almost every activity offered:

independently for the companies that employed me. For

poker nights, cultural talks, Wii Bowling, choir, acting club,

instance, when I worked for an international publishing firm

selling advertising, I was a satellite employee in Boston, and

I could not agree more that we need more candidates for

our home office was based in California. This meant that most

the most senior roles and having strong role models such

days I managed my own time and made many of my own

as you definitely helps. Now if you had to give one piece of

decisions in selling to and servicing my accounts. Days would

advice to the young talent at Celtra - regardless of gender -

go by without speaking to my boss. Likewise, when I joined

what would it be?

a media agency start up as one of just a few people, I had to take initiative to perform many tasks without being asked

You have to be resilient to change, as the industry is changing

or asking. This was okay with me, and I assumed a company

quickly. You have to work on constantly honing your

could run well with everyone making their own decisions,

professional skills and learning about what is happening in the

and figuring out what to do. Managing people was a wake

industry. I believe people with initiative can move their careers

up call for me, and I had a lot of learning to do to become a

faster at a company such as Celtra because we are growing

good manager. It is a big switch when you move from doing

quickly and have a great need for talent, passion and ideas.

the work to managing people to do the work, and I think I was a terrible manager at first. I expected people to just figure things out the way I had to. But of course, the foundation of any well run company is based on performance management and training.

Believe in yourself. Trust your instincts. Be brave. Communicate clearly.

In a management course I was sent to by Aegis shortly after our agency was acquired by them, the class was asked to rank order the importance of the following things: Clients, Profits, People, Product. I put People last. Granted all of those things are important! But I had my knuckles rapped by the teacher. I was taught in no uncertain terms that People and Talent are the most important consideration in building a business. Particularly in the agency space, where people are the product, the company with the best talent wins. Every manager at Aegis had to rigorously identify their top talent and have a plan to develop these people. You did not want to lose anyone from that list! My ability to lead came with the realization that it was the talent around me that would help the company win, and my job was to help make them shine.

Another ingredient for success is the power of collaboration. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of being a strong collaborator. It may seem counterintuitive to think you will get ahead because of what the team delivers versus what you as an individual have done to stand out. But in fact, great work today is usually delivered by a team, and the quality of the output is often a reflection of how well they worked together. People are valued by how well they collaborate as much as by what they have to contribute as individuals. I usually coach people to broaden their perspectives beyond the areas that they are paid to focus on – try to see the big picture and understand a problem the way a client or the CEO of a company would see it. There are great examples of this behavior at Celtra and it is a big part

Being a successful business woman, wife and mother

of what will help us win in the future.

yourself and in light of many “breaking the glass ceiling” debates of the past year… What do you think is the most significant barrier to female leadership if any? I agree with Sheryl Sandberg that women tend to take their “foot off the gas pedal” because they don’t want to sacrifice time raising their families. That is a very real problem in any executive role. I have had people tell me I was their example of someone who managed to balance work and family life – which would cause my eyes to roll. You have no idea how many sacrifices my family made to my career! This is a very real, very difficult choice, and I don’t blame women who take a step back. While I am sure prejudice does exist toward ambitious women, I think the bigger problem is a lack of candidates in the funnel for the most senior roles.

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PRODUCT TEAM AD

124

Culture

Is your playlist in desperate need of an update? Are you searching for musical inspiration outside your “comfort zone” or are you simply tired of eavesdropping to your colleague’s headphones? In any case; brought to you by the kind fellow Celtronians, here are some tunes that make them tick.

Culture

125

BY CATHERINE ROGERS

There are several motivational factors of why we at Celtra

rewarding in your everyday personal lives and motivational to

encourage involvement in projects and initiatives that

strive to give back on a more consistent basis.

positively contribute to the community. As a volunteer, you have the opportunity to serve as We work in an environment that offers us a great opportunity

representatives of the company in â&#x20AC;&#x153;yourâ&#x20AC;? community.

for personal and career growth, but cannot perceive ourselves

Giving your time has a much stronger impact on the way we

detached from the real world. We are a part of a greater

think and feel. It is a positive image of who we are and what

community that provides us with important resources on a

we do. This was seen through several Celtra volunteer events

daily basis, and where not everyone is as lucky as we are.

throughout 2014.

That is why we find it important to give back. Give back to key stakeholders that enable us to be where we are - these can be

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking forward to 2015 and more opportunities to help

all from educational to environmental institutions.

enrich the communities we live and work in. We encourage all Celtra team members to come together and get involved.

The advertising technology industry has its perks but it sometimes offers little inspiration as to what we contribute for our society to evolve. Thus, we find it important to get involved in projects that are of existential nature. Getting outside our comfy bubble and putting things in perspective often results in an easier time to cope with stressful situations at work, too. Furthermore, volunteering and giving back develops us as coworkers in certain ways that traditional training alone cannot accomplish. Volunteering calls for team members to step outside of their comfort zones and experience situations that they might not have encountered in their day-to-day lives. The experience of handling uncomfortable and unfamiliar situations often proves to be helpful in the work we do,

126

Culture

Tech Gives Back: Our Boston office has participated in this event for the past 3 years. Celtra NY partnered with New York Cares to provide gifts to children who would otherwise not receive them for Christmas. The team took the letters that the children wrote and personally shopped and wrapped each gift,

Assigned tasks include painting, revamping an elementary school playground and helping “cleanup” a local women’s shelter. www.techgivesback.com

delivering them just in time for the celebrations. www.newyorkcares.org/winter-wishes

In May, catastrophic floods struck the whole Balkan region. Celtronians showed their big hearts once again and selflessly organized a collection of food and household goods.

With the help of “Santa for a Day” initiative, Ljubljana office teams applied to buy and wrap Christmas gifts for kids whose financial situation at home would probably leave them without one. www.bozicekzaendan.si

Culture

127

ON THE PULSE OVERALL SATISFACTION

93% EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION RATE

97%

CORE VALUES OF CELTRA Knowledge Collaboration Innovaton & Creativity Ownership & Execution

128

Culture

94%

Would recommend employment at Celtra to a friend

96% understand the core values

Feel Celtra cares about its people

The recent employee survey exposed — much to no one’s surprise — the great company spirit we all share. Here are just a few numbers that back this up.

LEADERSHIP

93%

97%

Trust leadership to act with fairness and integrity

CONFIDENCE IN LEADERSHIP

91%

Feel leadership consists of positive role models

87%

Believe leadership has a clear vision of the future Very Confident

Not Confident

ME AND THE COMPANY

90% % 97% 93%

FEEL THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING TO CELTRA'S MISSION

Source: Internal survey, 110 participants

Believe they are contributing to the core values

Feel they are treated like a person and not just like a number

Feel people get ahead primarily on the merits and positive results of their work

Culture

129

Sponsored content: Sales, Creative Services

ver the past twelve months, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve added more than 30 new

people to our international team of talented and skillful individuals.

Each of the 128 unique members adds value to the company and ultimately helps make it stronger. The same could be said for this yearbook. Without your hefty and inspirational creative input, it wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be possible to produce such a voluminous and rich publication that will hopefully entertain, educate and fuel sweet nostalgia years from now. Thank you all! - The Editorial Team

MIHA MIKEK, Co-founder & CEO If you ever decide to run for Vice President, pick Miha for a running mate.

132

Contributors

PRODUCT MATEVŽ KLANJŠEK, Co-founder & CPO

ALEŠ GABROVEC, SVP of Product

Tenacious, ingenious, optimistic, uncompromising,

Blue eyes so sad that even ping pong balls cry.

and a person of integrity. He inspires us to be better innovators and people.

GEFEN LAMDAN, VP of Product

NATAN NIKOLIČ, Director of Product

Black is the new black.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amed.

Contributors

133

TADEJ Ĺ TROK, Director of Product

ALEX DAO, Sr. Product Manager

Possesses a sharp ability to spot digital creative

Has this magical reputation among early adopter clients

trends and encapsulate them in our products in

with complex campaigns. He simply never loses it.

an inventive way.

KRYSTAL EDELL, Sr. Product Manager

ANDREJ VENTA, Art Director

First desk to the left.

His curiosity and constant drive for improvement makes him an Art Director to look up to.

134

Contributors

ANITA KNEZY, Designer

CHENFANG HSIEH, Product Manager

Harbors a compassionate and caring heart - and an eagle’s

Despite having joined us only in late August, she has

eye for details. And snacks. And plants. And birthdays ...

already demonstrated courage and practicality in her work.

DINO KUŽNIK, Designer

MATIC PELCL, Designer

His must-see singer-songwriter shows ‘Dino’s Tales’

Rather than the digital canvas, he prefers to choose

attract numerous SF girls to the hip Mission venues.

a race track. And the brush? His BMW.

Contributors

135

CASEY OHNGREN, Designer

ASHNA KOTHARI, Product Manager

A very positive person with a can-do attitude.

Ashna means â&#x20AC;&#x153;beloved oneâ&#x20AC;? in Sanskrit and just like her

She will come up with ideas and solutions in no-time!

name suggests, she adds a spark of awesomeness to anything she is involved with.

MARK ZEGARELLI, Technical Writer

LENA HOFMAN, Product Analyst

A pica maestro with his own laser thermometer.

Lena brings expertise, fun, new perspectives, drive, and encouragement to the team.

136

Contributors

NICHOLAS KIM SMITH, Product Analyst

STEPHANIE DORAIS, Campaign Analyst

With his wide range of interests and skills, he should

An all-around rock star campaign analyst with

be firmly in the running for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Most Interesting Man

exuberant and positive personality.

in the Worldâ&#x20AC;?.

AMY MAI, Product Manager

AMANDA CHEONG, Product Manager

Curious, zealous, persevering. Her use of color in the

The latest addition to the Product team brings much

mundane world of wireframes is second to none.

needed strength and stamina to the team.

Contributors

137

ENGINEERING KRISTINA BIDOVEC, Project Manager

JAKA JANČAR, CTO

Kristina keeps our team impeccably organized with

Among the few 7 feet tall representatives of

amazing wizardry. Don’t tell anyone but she’s actually

Human species that don’t play basketball.

half Martha Stewart and half Harry Potter.

VUK LAU, Support Manager

GREGOR SMREKAR, SVP Engineering

Keeping a professional attitude toward customers

We love our yearly bonuses too much

leaves his witty side reserved entirely for the people

to write this guy’s description.

around him. 138

Contributors

GAŠPER KOZAK, Director of Engineering

ALEKSANDER KMETEC, Director of Engineering

Trafficking all sorts of things.

Office shadow. Dabbles in dark arts of builder and much, much more.

JURIJ VIDMAR, Lead QA Engineer

ALEKSANDER PEJČIĆ, Lead Software Developer

Panzerschreck enthusiast.

Politically incorrect since 1985.

Contributors

139

140

UROŠ PIRNAT, Lead Software Developer

ANŽE CESAR, Sr. Software Developer

Been coughing for three years… and counting.

Decided that ad business is better than helping

Should really see a doctor.

people communicate.

ALEŠ KOTNIK, Sr. Software Developer

ADAM COHEN, Sr. Software Developer

Can’t watch a video anymore without thinking about

Can code WHILE playing the guitar.

cross-device compatibility.

Or so they say.

Contributors

GREG KASS, Sr. Software Developer

GREGA KEĹ PRET, Sr. Software Developer

Celtra cake master and Artist-In-Residence.

His coding fingers are as fiery as his dancing feet.

GORAN DODIG, Sr. Software Developer

JANIN KOLENC, Sr. Software Developer

Understands black humour.

The coolest looking programmer in SF office.

Also delivers it well, while dressed in black.

Contributors

141

KLEMEN SLAVIČ, Sr. Software Developer

MIHA GRČAR, Sr. Software Developer

This man flies helicopters!

Can optimize anything.

VILJEM ŠKORNIK, Sr. DevOps Engineer

POLONA ANTONČIČ, Project Lead

Can’t remember the feeling of sleeping

The Time Keeper

through an entire night.

142

Contributors

ANTON SEMPRIMOŽNIK, Software Developer

DOMEN GRABEC, Software Developer

Hikes, takes a bus and then bikes to work while his shiny

Force Pusher

BMW loyally awaits him in the garage.

GREGOR SUŠELJ, Young Researcher

GREGOR PRAPROTNIK, Software Developer

Once cut himself and was bleeding equations.

Nicest guy in the office with a secret passion for open roads and motorbikes.

Contributors

143

144

JURE COTIČ, QA Engineer

LUKA NARAT, QA Engineer

Fan of Nokia E52, has 2 spare at home.

Every mother’s favorite son in law.

MARKO NOVAK, Software Developer

MARTIJN DIJKHUIZEN, Software Developer

The World Champion of Custom Coding

Feels at home in every office.

Contributors

MATIC MAKOVEC, DevOps Engineer

MIHA KAVČIČ, Software Developer

Has yet to succumb to devops grumpiness standards.

Really doesn’t like pickles on Pizza.

NACE OROZ, DevOps Engineer

NATALIJA JAGODIC, QA Engineer

The guy with a lot of suprises in his closet.

So cute we don’t even mind when she finds bugs.

Contributors

145

PATRICK BRADY, Partner Integrations Engineer

PRIMOŽ OVČAK, Software Developer

Coding lawyer extraordinaire.

Knows how to woo any boo!

ROK BURGAR, Software Developer

ROK LENARČIČ, Software Developer

Can deliver at least 4 bad jokes per hour,

Even his cigarettes are electronic.

the 5th is gold though.

146

Contributors

ROBERT SEDOVŠEK, Software Developer

SIMON JAZBAR, QA Engineer

Looks wealthier than our boss.

Master of sarcasm, subtle provocation and most other forms of office humor.

UROŠ KOVAČ, QA Engineer

ŽIGA VIDIC, Software Developer

Lean, mean, basketball playing, testing machine.

Tortures himself by running 75 kilometers and considers it fun.

Contributors

147

FINANCE MAJA DROLEC, Co-founder & VP Finance

DEKYI LHAZE, Sr. Financial Controller

A ray of sunshine and a force to be reckoned with

Petite, but knows how to instill fear in those who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

- the perfect mix of business and pleasure!

follow through with their commitments.

CATHERINE ROGERS, Director of Human Resources

MARK DORMAN, Director of Financial Operations

A breath of fresh air with a great sense of humor.

Made a bold move joining such a headstrong team of women, but he probably knew what he was getting into ;)

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Contributors

CECILIA RADGOWSKI Client Compliance Specialist

IRIS ZHANG, Accountant

Has a love for baking and always a warm smile on her face.

cooked meal.

MOJCA JANEŽIČ, Business Administrator

JADE BURKE, Executive Assistant

A beacon of positivity that can easily make you smile!

Has a fun and warm presence about her and helps us all

Loves shopping, traveling and enjoys a delicious home

to stay “on top of things”.

Contributors

149

SALES 150

TODD TAPLIN EVP of Global Strategy, Sales and Services

JONATHAN MILNE, General Manager EMEA

Whether it’s on the ice or in the office, you can be sure that

Mr. “work hard & play hard” is able to put a smile on

you’ll witness a Taplin hat trick!

anyone’s face and a signed deal on anyone’s desk.

GRANT STRATEMEYER, SVP Business Development

ANTHONY MAZZARELLA, VP Agency Sales, East

His welcoming attitude and overall company knowledge has

Being a VB6 (vegan before 6pm), he always has a fresh

made him the big brother of the sales organization.

approach with jazzy pants to match.

Contributors

JACK HALLAHAN, VP Business Development

KARIN MARKE, VP Agency Sales, West

Makes sure to canoodle with the right people to

Has an incredibly strong work ethic, but understands

bring in the revenue.

the importance of keeping weekends for fun!

NOBUKAZU KANEDA, Japan Country Manager

HARRY ROBINSON, Head of Agency Sales EMEA

Nobu has always believed heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a health conscious person,

Someone you always want on your team. We love him,

but his wife might disagree.

customers love him. Plus he loves a fruity cider.

Contributors

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152

KATIE COMMISKEY, Director of Agency Sales

PATRICK CANDELA, Director of Publisher Sales

Has just reconnected with her Southern roots

A traditional “Mad Men”. Never takes no for an answer and

and taken Austin by storm.

always goes the extra mile to help his clients and the team.

PAUL SIMMONS, Director of Sales, Chicago

KIM NGUYEN, Director of Sales Operations

Passionate about providing great customer service,

She works best with music in her headphones and her dog,

creatives and Michigan State Athletics. Go Green!

Sir Chilly William, by her side.

Contributors

ALISON VACOVEC, Director of Agency Sales, East

LOLLY MASON, Publisher Sales Director, EMEA

There’s a ray of sunshine in the London office and

she has all agencies saying she is wicked pissah.

her name is Lolly.

ERIK FORTUNE, Sr. Account Executive

KATIE ZITO, Account Executive

The gentle giant of the team and the longest tenured

The only thing she is slowing down is the NJ accent,

employee in the sales organization.

by throwing in a y’all here and there.

Contributors

153

154

TU LY-GOWLER, Account Manager

AMY ROSENBERG, Account Manager

Makes sure her clients are happy and stay in line

A vibrant, engaging personality with plenty

- they will be her BFFs or else!

of opinions that sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not afraid to share!

ALEX BUTLER, Account Manager

ELLI PAPADAKI, Agency Sales Director

Has a passion for new music promotion and runs her own

Whether straightening her hair or launching a campaign,

video programmes directly from her garage!

she wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop until every crease is ironed out.

Contributors

ANDY HEALD, Agency Sales Manager

AGNE MIZARAITE, Business Administrator

Partial to a sausage roll, duck lasagne and a spot

A chilled rosĂŠ drinker who uses her OCD to the max

of Saturday DIY.

to get the job done with a smile.

DAVID CHEUNG, Certification Support Specialist

CLIONA BARNES, Client Services Director

Before he gets to the office, he prepares himself daily

Totally unflappable, always focused and totally

with a 6AM gym session.

reliable - there must be something in that coffee!

Contributors

155

156

DAVID ROĹ˝AC, Creative Product Director, EMEA

ROB FEAR, Creative Product Specialist

A natural teacher who effortlessly bridges creativity and

Expect no tolerance for soggy creative and watch

technology. Loves a whiskey.

out for the driest humor in the western hemisphere.

JUNKO SUDA, Technical Account Manager

DEVON SMITH, VP Client Services

With the support of her two kids and husband,

Her infectious smile brightens up any room and

no technical issue can get past her!

her intelligence impresses anyone she meets!

Contributors

ROB ZIERTEN, Director of Client Services

NAZ ALI, Account Director, Strategic Accounts

Has been with Celtra when the health insurance

Married to a fine man they call Taco*, you’d never know

didn’t cover families yet!

she used to be “hood” back in the day. (*not actual name)

ANTHONY WESTMORELAND Director of Technical Services

FAN SHI, Director of Client Enablement

The unofficial “Mr. Fit 2014”, he is the picture

A world traveler, a Padi certified Rescue Diver and SSI

of health and wellness.

certified Specialty Diver.

Contributors

157

158

LEILA CUTSHAW, Sr. Account Manager

JACKI SANTIAGO Sr. Account Manager, Process Lead

A closet nerd who may have a deep Emma Stone voice,

Takes on all sorts of adventures: rock climbing, roller

but sings like a Disney Princess!

blading, burlesque ... you name it, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tried it!

KAT MCCORMACK, Account Manager

KYLE MADDEN, Ad Operations Specialist

Loves to stay active in the sunny LA with her dog

Has an uncanny sense of curiosity that makes him the

Sophie close behind.

perfect Trivial Pursuit partner!

Contributors

KEEGAN KENNEDY, Campaign Manager

YAEL ANTEBI, Client Enablement Manager

Although of Irish decent, she tans abnormally

A mother of three (soon to be four) is also a Padi

easy and gets very dark.

certified Dive Master.

BROOKE HANEY SANDBERG Director of Creative Services

ŽIVA VOVK, Sr. Project Manager

If the Creative Services team were the X-Men,

Probably sleeps in the office. Goes by the

she is their Xavier.

nickname “On-a-call”.

Contributors

159

160

BLAŽ VIZJAK, Front-end Developer Lead

JULIO VASQUEZ, Sr. Designer

Blaž looks like a tough guy, but on the inside he is

Large burrito extra guac., 4 cups of design, 3½ tablespoons

just as afraid of germs in the peanuts jar as he is

of skateboarding, 2 teaspoons of stencil art. Add Star Wars

afraid of bugs in his code.

and Futbol. Mix well, Serve warm.

KRISTA KERŽAN, Sr. Designer

ŠPELA BUDA, Sr. Designer

Her knack for finding bugs is what keeps

Roses are red, violets are purple.

QA on their toes.

Špela is awesome and classy just like her AC builds.

Contributors

ADRIAN CUENCA, Creative Campaign Manager

ANINA BENULIČ, Designer

A hardcore motorcycle dude trapped inside a tea drinking

If your ideas reached dead-end,

graphic designer’s body. Who knows what he becomes

just write to Anina and click “Send”.

when the night falls.

Her ads are mixture of knowledge and trend, just watch as your impressions ascend.

FRANE GORJANC, Designer

MARIN MEŠTER, Designer

A creative outbreak that shakes not only his table,

Photographer, designer, Nace’s stylist, GIF expert.

but the whole floor.

He builds nice ads too :)

Contributors

161

MARKETING 162

MITJA KUŠČER, Front-end Developer

KARMEN LUŽNIK, VP of Marketing

When the lot of us still dwell in beds,

The ultimate NYC guide if you’re into gastronomy,

he rides his waves and chops their heads.

arts or rooftop parties.

ZORA ZHOU, Jr. Designer

VANJA B. BRZIN, Product Marketing Manager

Zora’s an explora, designer slash skateboard ninja and

The only thing she loves more than her bike

a new pup momma.

is her other bike.

Contributors

MAJA KRALJIČ, Digital Marketing Manager

JURE URANK, Marketing Manager, EMEA

You wouldn’t think that someone from Marketing can

He’s got more kids than the rest of the Marketing

pimp up your CSS. Well, Maja sure can.

team combined.

AJDA ROTAR URANKAR, Designer

NIGEL CERDEIROS, Designer

She’ll design just about anything for a good

Nigel has an unparalleled love for burgers, beers

dose of chocolate.

and caramel macchiatos with whipped cream.

Contributors

163

MATIJA ZUPAN, Copywriter/Video Producer

VANESSA HENAO, Marketing Associate

NYC brought out the fun side in this contemplating,

She is so small and petite, yet her lunches almost

French-looking word-wizzard.

never include salad.

TANJA UĹ˝MAH MOSQUERA, Design Intern Has a Colombian heart and a temperament to match.

164

Contributors

All contributors descriptions were written by team members for their colleagues.

Illustrations by Istvan David

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