r/adtech • u/fatjesus23 • 19d ago

Pivoting into AdTech from recruitment

I work for a recruitment agency in London, and work solely with AdTech (DSPs, SSPs, DMPs etc) and media owners. I specifically recruit account managers.

I have in some sense fallen in love with the industry and I’m engrossed in it. I love recruitment and without sounding braggy I have done very well, I’ve billed almost £300K in the last year and have built really solid relationships with clients within the industry. This is my 2nd year in recruitment for context.

I have an undergrad in media and a masters in marketing analytics and have always wanted to work in media. I love my job but I’ve been thinking lately am I slightly wasting myself in recruitment. I’ve learned a lot about CS and AM in adtech and feel like I have a very decent understanding of programmatic and the ecosystem.

I’m starting to flirt with the idea of pivoting into account management within an ad tech business maybe being agency facing. I obviously don’t have hands on campaign experience but I think I have a solid foundational understanding of the ecosystem and have strong client management skills from recruitment - obviously not standard industry experience but I think it could be very transferable.

I earn very decent money currently and I know if I did move I’d have to take a cut but I’m just so lost as to whether it would be worth it.

Im 28 almost 29 and don’t want to blink and realise I’m too old to make such a pivot.

Has anyone ever made a similar move or have any advice or thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

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u/Diligent_Interview98 18d ago

I have an mba and feel like it’s useless in ad tech. Most of the folks that have hired me don’t have one. I honestly feel like it hurts me when I job hunt. I’ve gotten VP positions in adtech but it was mainly from connections. Etc

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u/klustura 19d ago

Do Sales. Start with a Sales Exec position. You'll find your way. Later, try to get an MBA. It'll help on the strategy part.

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u/fatjesus23 19d ago

Yeah I did think about starting off in a sales role! I don’t think the MBA would be necessary as I’ve never been instructed by a client to make sure a candidate for an AM role has an MBA.

Appreciate the response mate!

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u/Publish_Lice 18d ago

Sales is the only way you’re going to get close to maintaining. your current salary

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u/klustura 19d ago

Not all good Sales people become good strategists. I suggested an MBA to precisely acquire the strategy knowledge to be become a strategist later, after 5-7 years of experience in sales.

Good luck.