Navigating the AdTech landscape can feel like a racetrack with surprise twists and turns. We always set clear goals with our customers, but with an understanding that the path to those goals can change. This makes the work exciting and rewarding. 

To give you a look behind the curtain on how this works at AdRoll, a brand of NextRoll, we sat down with Shane O’Brien, a Senior Account Manager on our team in Dublin. Shane works with mid-market clients across the EMEA region, helping them navigate the complexities of programmatic advertising.

With a career spanning fast-paced startups and big players like Facebook and Quantcast, Shane O’Brien knows exactly what it takes to navigate AdTech. Now a Senior Account Manager at NextRoll, Shane brings a diverse, adaptable skillset to our EMEA mid-market team. He’s spent years acting as a trusted advisor, blending analytical deep-dives with genuine relationship-building to help clients scale. 

Whether he’s collaborating with teammates or exploring the latest in Connected TV (CTV) advertising, Shane’s focus is always the same: keeping things grounded, staying proactive, and ensuring both his clients and his team are set up for a win.

What initially attracted you to NextRoll, and more importantly, what’s kept you here?

Shane: NextRoll has been a strong player in the programmatic space for quite some time, and I wanted to move somewhere where I could both contribute with my experience while learning. It’s that balance of being an expert but also having room to grow that really pulled me in. 

What’s kept me here is that we never stand still; NextRoll’s constant innovation in areas like Connected TV (CTV) and Digital Out Of Home (DOOH) keeps the work fresh and exciting. Plus, the people are genuinely great — it makes coming to work something I actually look forward to.

Everyone’s talking about AI in adtech right now like it’s brand new, but honestly, we’ve been running our bidding engine on machine learning for years. Our engineering teams constantly have AI at the front of their priorities and ensure it’s a focus in what we deliver for customers. AdRoll focuses on innovation and AI is at the heart of that. 

That "never standing still" energy is definitely part of our DNA. Speaking of the people, how would you describe the culture on the Account Management team? How do you all support each other when things get busy?

Shane: The Account Management team is very close, and we’re always here for a laugh or a helping hand. It’s great being in a team that can support each other and our clients through sharing knowledge, best practices, and help with anything else that may arise! 

Since we all work in different verticals, it’s incredibly helpful to share what’s working in one industry and get some 'fresh eyes' on a challenge in another. We’re all partners in each other’s success, which takes the ego out of the equation and keeps things focused on solving problems together.

It sounds like a real community. Can you share an example of a time you felt you made a truly meaningful impact — either for a client or internally?

Shane: Definitely. One of my clients actually traveled all the way from Germany to meet us at the PI Live event in London. We were participating in the event, and the client was interviewed on stage by our Vice President of Revenue! It was an amazing opportunity to show the client just how much we valued their partnership, and seeing them represent our shared success on a public stage was a huge highlight. It really reinforced that we aren’t just a software provider; we’re an extension of their team.

That’s a massive win! Now, we both know transparency is one of our company values. What kind of exposure do you have to leadership, and how has that shaped your growth?

Shane: NextRoll has an amazing culture where Rollers of all levels are accessible. No matter what team or level you’re at, everyone is available to collaborate so we can help our customers achieve their goals. Management at all levels is always available for whatever you need, and they actually listen. For example, I have a regular one-on-one sync with our Regional Managing Director. Our CEO recently ran a global 'listening tour' where we were able to provide direct feedback in a small group setting. Knowing your voice is heard at the very top makes a massive difference in how you feel about your career here.

Lastly, we’ve gotta ask—when you’re not helping clients crush their KPIs, how do you spend your time?

Shane: For me, it’s all about the gym and hiking! I’m a big believer in getting outside and moving to clear my head. I actually recently went on an eight-hour hike for my birthday, and honestly, it was the best way I could have spent the day. There’s something about being out in nature that helps you recharge for the fast-paced world of tech.

The Takeaways

If you’re reading this and thinking, "That sounds like the kind of place I’d thrive," we’d love to chat. Here’s the gist of what Shane’s experience tells us about being an Account Manager at AdRoll:

• You’ll Be an Expert: You aren't just managing accounts; you’re navigating the future of display, CTV and DOOH.

• You’ll Have a Voice: From your direct manager to the CEO, your feedback actually matters.

• You’ll Have a Safety Net: The team is built on shared knowledge and support, not a win-at-all-costs mentality.

• You’ll Get to Be Human: We value your work, but we also value time off to re-charge.

Ready to Roll?

Explore Opportunities: Check out our open roles at NextRoll and join a team where you can lead with purpose.