Our ‘Profile: A Day in the Life of’ feature takes a look at some of the global professionals working across performance marketing. It aims to shed light on the varying roles and companies across the flourishing industry. This week we head to New York to speak to the chief executive at Tremor Video.  

Name:

Bill Day

Job title and company:

CEO, Tremor Video.

In one sentence, how would you describe what the company does?

Offers advertisers and publishers a complete programmatic solution to reach and engage consumers while providing new insights into what drives the success of brand advertising performance across multiple devices. 

What are the company’s unique selling points? 

Tremor Video offers the complete suite of programmatic capabilities for buyers and sellers through the full spectrum of customer solutions – from 100% managed service to self-service technology. With our brand performance expertise, advanced measurement tools, exclusive partner relationships and programmatic product suite, we enable our clients to make every advertising moment more relevant for consumers.

Within the last six months/year, what stands out as the company’s major milestones? 

In the last year Tremor Video has had the three most significant product launches in the company’s history:

  • VideoHub DSP, which enables programmatic planning, buying, measurement and optimization of online video for brand performance.
  • All-Screen Optimization, the first and only video technology capability that can price, target, optimize, and report on video campaigns across all devices with a single placement.
  • VideoHub SSP, A monetization platform that allows publishers to effectively manage their premium video inventory to increase yield.

Duration in current role:

Since 2008

Where are you based?

New York City

Previous performance marketing-related companies you have worked at:

In 1996, I was a co-founder of About.com.  I was also CEO of behavioural targeting firm MeMedia and chief media officer of Marchex, a company specializing in local search and providing a local-merchant ad platform.

What are your main job responsibilities?

They fall into three buckets:

  • Strategy: it’s my job to make sure we are set up to win.
  • Execution: it’s also my job to make sure we are delivering.
  • People: In order to execute, I have to make sure we reward those who are exceling and attract new talent.

Take us through what you get up to on a typical working Monday: 

Mondays begin with a weekly executive staff meeting reviewing statuses on key initiatives. Then it depends on whether I am traveling or in our NY office. If traveling, I’ll be meeting with clients, investors or partners. If I am in the NY office I’m likely at my desk working on current projects. I try not to schedule lots of meetings and prefer to catch people as needed as I walk around the office.

What top three websites can you be found browsing during your lunch hour?

I am a news junkie so most likely CNN.com, NYTimes.com or ESPN.com.

What are your top three tips for someone looking to get their hands on a job like yours?

Be a generalist, not a specialist. Gaining experience across all facets of the business will make you a much better leader.

Learn to be a good manager. CEOs, first and foremost, are managers. Knowing how to lead a team is key to being a successful CEO.

Always seek mentors and advice, and never be afraid to ask for opinions or help.

Career-wise, where do you see yourself in three years’ time?

CEO of Tremor Video, the number one digital video advertising company in the world.

Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?

This April will mark my 28th year in the online and internet space. I started at Prodigy before it launched in early 1987. Other than a 9 month stint at Digital Equipment, online is all I have ever done.