Causal Crew Spotlight: Meet Jen Laing

What is your favorite part about working for Causal IQ?  

I love working on strategy for upcoming campaigns, setting us up for success and growing accounts. I really enjoy mentoring members of the Ops team and seeing them run great campaigns.  All of the leadership here are so collaborative, and the positive energy and supportive nature help us achieve common goals.

How has your career path led you to Causal IQ? 

Although I was a theatre major and headed to LA to be a screenwriter, I soon found myself in online advertising.  I started my career in search marketing back in the days of Overture, at a company that wrote content that organically ranked highly in search engines.  After a few years, I moved to the display advertising side of the industry and have stayed there ever since.  I began as an account manager at the ad network Fastclick, which was then acquired by ValueClick, where I worked for 6+ years with a 2 year stint in their London office.  As programmatic buying and RTB started developing, I moved to lead the account management and sales team at a start-up DSP called Connexity that focused on audience graphing and modeling.  I took over managing the entire account operations and sales planning teams until our business transitioned after we acquired the digital insights/analytics company, Hitwise.  As our focus transitioned away from media, I managed the data sales and operations team.  I enjoyed the data side of the business and learned a lot, but when a former colleague from ValueClick (now Conversant) called me about the role at Causal IQ, I jumped at the opportunity.  I was ready to move back to the media side of the business, since I really love owning the entire process of the campaign, from strategy, set-up, optimization and reporting.  I’m thrilled to be at Causal IQ and collaborate with this talented and motivated team.  I’m looking forward to seeing our growth over the coming years.

What motivates you? 

Being helpful and motivating/teaching others motivates me.  I love seeing problems, whether it’s figuring out a campaign set-up strategy or diving into performance issues, and thrive on problem solving.  It’s like a mystery waiting to be solved, and it’s so satisfying when we find the right solution!  Maybe that’s why I love mystery programs so much.

What new hobbies have you taken up during quarantine? 

I got a Peloton bike in April and use that just about every day, plus take advantage of the strength and yoga classes they produce too.  I’ve started home improvement projects like repainting and putting in new floors.  Also, my family and I love playing board games and taking turns cooking meals and baking treats!

Fun fact about yourself?  

I love all things Disney, visiting National Parks and classic movies.  I collect shot glasses and have hundreds all over my house.  I grew up in Atlanta and was a dancer in the 1996 Olympic Opening Ceremonies.  I’m keenly interested in mystery TV programs- I can’t get enough of Forensic Files and Mystery Diagnosis.