Work. Life. Balance.
Since my three-plus years of working for Cox Media, I have heard that phrase a lot; but the COVID-19 pandemic really put those three words into perspective for almost everyone.
I’m sure over the last two years, we have all asked ourselves: “How can I keep my career a priority while also caring about my family?” Not just caring, but worrying. Hoping. Praying that everyone would stay safe and healthy. Believing that family time matters more ever.
When the pandemic shut everything down in 2020, it was a lot to process. Suddenly I became a work-from-home mom, my kids (ages 14, 12 and 7) were with me 24/7, my gym was closed so my endorphin surge was running low, there was no toilet paper anywhere and no one had any idea what the future would hold. Everything was so uncertain, but like most moms do, I had to act like it was totally normal. So while trying to talk to clients and business owners about their struggles, I was planning movie nights with my kids – so thankful for streaming TV. I was scheduling walks in the park or “yard-work-days” just to keep everyone busy.
The kids were confused. I was confused. My husband, who is an emergency room registered nurse, was overworked and exhausted. Everyone in the world was in the same boat, but we were all treading different types of waters. The past two years have been indescribable, so I won’t even try. Instead, I’ll share what I personally learned.
Here’s what the pandemic taught me about work-life balance:
Honestly, I’ve learned I can just about do it all. And because of that, it’s turned me into an even better employee. I’m a career-oriented professional, a mom who is there for her kids, a supportive wife and a compassionate friend. What more could I want?
Jackson Saeman’s collaborative approach to sales is successful: the proof is in his happy clients and accelerated career growth. Keep reading to learn more.
“Dropping the rope”
Salespeople have often gotten a bad rap for being overly aggressive.
For advertising account executive Jackson Saeman, working in sales is a much more collaborative process – no tricks, no pushiness. He isn’t simply a salesperson – he’s an adviser.
“I like to be the person customers can turn to if they have a question,” he said.
Jackson began working at Cox Media – a Cox Communications company – in 2020. His job is all about helping local businesses put together advertising campaigns, with a particular focus on TV and digital.
Jackson referred to the sales adage of “dropping the rope” when describing his team’s approach to dealing with customers; in other words, eliminating tug-of-war tension between buyer and seller and instead working collaboratively to find the best solution for a client’s needs.
“One of the main things I’ve learned is to be a resource for a potential customer,” he said. “The customer doesn’t have to choose us; they need to see if it makes sense for us to work together in the future.”
Jackson’s empathetic sales tactics have paid off in customer satisfaction and career growth. Cox invested in Jackson by enrolling him in the Cox Media sales associate training program and after one year with the company, he was promoted to his current role as an account executive.
“The skills I learned are centered on the industry as a whole,” Jackson explained. “Being able to talk the lingo, learning how Cox stacks up against competitors and tips for finding new business.”
Finding a big opportunity in The Grand Canyon State
Jackson, who is from Denver, CO, began searching for a job in Phoenix after his fiancée was accepted to medical school in Arizona. He liked his job in Denver – working in sales for an A/V technology company – and wanted to find an organization that offered similar benefits to employees.
“It was a good company to work for,” he said. “As I was transitioning to Arizona, I knew I wanted to work for a company that had similar values and benefits. Cox is a big brand in the southwest and has a great reputation, and I loved learning more and more about the company as I began working here.”
In spite of the fact that he hasn’t been able to connect with his team in-person due to COVID-19, Jackson said that he’s felt welcomed and connected in his first year at Cox.
“Everyone’s been so nice,” he said. “Cox has exceeded all expectations. The leadership team from day one was so caring, never putting pressure on you.”
Next stop: The Winner’s Circle
Looking ahead, Jackson wants to continue his career growth at Cox and aspires to be in Cox’s prestigious Winner’s Circle: an all-expenses-paid luxury getaway for the company’s top-performing salespeople.
He added that with the support of his leadership team and colleagues, he feels empowered to excel in his job at Cox.
“I think it’s an atmosphere where people want to see you succeed. If there’s a new business win, we put it up on the scoreboard and everyone celebrates it. Everyone has your back and supports each other, and it starts from the top down.”
Interested in exploring a sales career at Cox? We’re hiring! Explore sales jobs at Cox Media.
For Jordan Knope – an advertising account executive early in his career at Cox – putting the pieces together for clients is all in a day’s work. Keep reading to learn how.
First job, first pandemic
It’s natural to be a bit nervous about your first job after college. And starting your career during a pandemic adds another layer of apprehension to the process.
Jordan Knope experienced this firsthand.
He started working at Cox Media – a Cox Communications company – in the summer of 2020. This is his first full-time job since receiving his undergraduate degree in marketing from the University of Arizona.
“It’s been a little bit weird because I’ve only set foot in the office twice now,” said Jordan, who lives and works in his hometown of Tucson, AZ. “It’s been a double learning curve.”
But Jordan has navigated the learning curve well, receiving a promotion from sales associate to advertising account executive within six months of his employment at Cox.
“The opportunities to grow and advance have been really solid,” said Jordan. “I’ve received a lot of training around perfecting my sales process. I had some familiarity with B2B sales before this, but actually implementing it and seeing it in the real world as opposed to the classroom has been great.”
Jordan has also been surprised by the amount of flexibility his sales job provides.
“One thing that I really like about this role, especially in the past eight months, is that I really do set my own schedule,” Jordan said. “My manager and my team are there to set expectations, but I don’t ever feel like I have to be at a certain place at a certain time. I feel like there’s a lot of flexibility and that’s been nice to have this year.”
The marketing puzzle
Jordan is passionate about piecing together solutions to support clients. His job is all about building bespoke advertising campaigns for regional businesses. This kind of problem-solving is appealing to Jordan, who likened his work environment to the agile, fun environment of an agency.
“To me, marketing is a big puzzle,” he said. “There’s sales and there’s psychology and there’s technology and it all wraps together into accomplishing a specific goal.”
One of his favorite puzzles to solve came in the form of a local motorcycle gear shop. Jordan himself is an avid motorcyclist and recognized an opportunity to help this business. He recommended a geofencing marketing strategy to identify devices in the area. Essentially, every time a customer would walk into a local motorcycle dealership, they would be pinged with an ad for the gear shop.
This kind of real-world experience has been rewarding for Jordan, whose love for marketing shines in his creative solutions for clients.
“I really like working in media,” Jordan said. “That’s where my passion lies.”
Driven to win…and to work together
Like any good salesperson, Jordan has a competitive streak.
“I really like to win,” he said. “I like to be the best at my job. Anywhere I go, that’s the goal.”
And while Cox’s culture is sales-friendly, it’s anything but cutthroat. Rather, it’s collaborative. Jordan enjoys partnering with colleagues in similar client-facing roles, as well as people in creative, production, editing and more.
“The people that I interact with are friendly,” Jordan said. “Even the people who have very busy schedules and have a lot of clients are always willing to answer questions and help me out with things.”
Interested in exploring a sales career at Cox? We’re hiring! Explore here: Sales Jobs at Cox Media
Mike, a sales employee at Cox Communications, isn’t just a poker pro and a media maven. He’s also an empathetic listener who is gifted at building relationships. Keep reading to learn about his career journey at Cox.
Mike Berger is something of a poker expert.
He’s had a seat at poker tables across the US, from the west coast to his home in Oklahoma, and has played with many, many people – including movie stars, mayors, business owners and professional athletes.
What does he love most about poker? Applying advanced game theory and reveling in the competitiveness of the game (no surprise there – he’s in sales!).
“Poker is a much deeper game than many understand, with math and strategy being very complex to compete at a high level,” Mike said. “The days of old men in smoke-filled rooms playing poker have changed to intelligent men and women skilled in math and advanced strategy taking over. Optimal strategies are always changing and with technology, the game and those who successfully play are far more advanced now than even five to ten years ago.”
As a Media Consultant II at Cox Media – a Cox Communications company – Mike can certainly attest to ever-changing technology. Much of his job revolves around building trust with clients and helping them keep up with the pace of innovation. With Mike’s help, businesses are able to get their messages in front of a targeted audience via multi-platform campaigns. Mike works in sales, but he sees his job as much more than that.
“Reacting quickly to client needs and putting thought into the recommendations I provide allows me to earn trust and create partnerships, versus just selling advertising,” he said.
Building relationships is key to Mike’s success
Like many people at Cox, Mike learned about the company by way of current employees. While working as a National/Major Senior Account Executive for a newspaper, Mike’s accounts included Cox Communications’ residential and business services.
“I built relationships with Cox employees, which eventually helped lead me to my career with Cox Media,” Mike said. “John Odgers from Cox Business, Sonya Bell, who is now on the residential side, and Carrie Holland all spoke very highly of their experience working for Cox and formed a good impression in my mind. John always encouraged me to at least look at opportunities at Cox if I ever decided to look at new opportunities. These Cox employees became friends and started me on the path to Cox.”
Mike said that the culture of the company was something that John, Sonya and Carrie referenced frequently.
“The culture was something my friends at Cox talked about constantly and was one of the main reasons I interviewed,” he said. “Once I started working for Cox Media, I immediately knew what they meant about the culture and how well the employees were treated. Media sales and all sales can be tough and having a good positive work environment where everyone feels included is huge! Everyone was fantastic in welcoming me to the team from the existing sellers to the support staff and leadership team. I’m proud to work for a company that is so invested in diversity and inclusion and doesn’t just talk about it but lives it!”
Mike added that he feels supported in his career ambitions: “My manager Pieter has helped to keep me on track of my lofty goals with Cox Media and feel like I have a bright future.”
Reading people and leading with empathy
His penchant for poker aside, Mike is a deeply honest and empathetic person who enjoys learning about different perspectives.
“I care deeply about the wellbeing of the people around me and their happiness can outshine the importance of my own,” Mike said. “I try to acknowledge my own faults and mistakes and be open to change by trying to understand different points of view regardless of if I agree or not.”
And in sales and poker alike, Mike has learned that it’s important to be present and stay humble.
“Always studying and analyzing your play and learning from your mistakes correlates poker success to business and life success.”
Interested in exploring a sales career at Cox Business? We’re hiring! Explore here: Sales Jobs at Cox Media
Before the pandemic disrupted daily life, coworkers were, and remain, a source for daily human interaction. Now with countless employees at home to work remotely, our employees across the country are finding creative ways to connect with their colleagues. And with that, we asked Whitney Lutley, a media consultant for Cox Media in Mobile, AL, to share her story with us as we all strive to embrace the new normal.
By Whitney Lutley
Hi, my name is Whitney and I have been with the Cox family for two years. A day in the life of a Media Consultant is different every day. We are creative marketing professionals skilled in relationship management, public speaking, negotiation, and leadership. In my work week, I am putting together targeted marketing campaigns that will drive results and reach business goals. I also meet with local and regional business owners and marketing directors to discover opportunities to help them with their marketing efforts.
When the work-from-home order was announced, at first, I was not very excited about the announcement because I enjoy communicating with people in person. Most of my day-to-day involved meeting new clients and building relationships. However, I have been able to quickly adjust to our new normal!
Now, more than ever, this change opened the door to more personal conversations and a deeper connection with my clients who welcome frequent phone calls and virtual video chats. The experience has been great, and I’ve learned new perspectives, too.
My team has also embraced our new normal. The culture at Cox Media has been genuine and welcoming since day one and the leaders thoroughly live the Cox brand by setting an example.
We host a biweekly, virtual cocktail hour on Fridays and during this time we have banned discussion about work. We only talk about personal updates and any funny stories we have experienced during the quarantine.
Although working from home has made me miss our very diverse office, I’m glad that we always look out for one another and treat each other like family. While we can’t do office potlucks or dessert tastings, I do enjoy cooking at home. I also love to dance and doing them both at the same time is my hidden talent.
Cooking was a trait that was passed down from my grandfather who was a great chef. Before the pandemic, my schedule was super busy with school and work, so I wasn’t always motivated to try new recipes. All of that has changed with working from home, and I have the freedom to try those complicated recipes that need extra time to prepare.
Cox Media has given me all the reason and motivation to continue to grow with the company and strive towards ultimate success. Cox is by far the best company to work for and I am looking forward to what the next chapter holds.
Want to read more stories like this or discover a day in the life of our other teams at Cox? Check out our employee blog or search for open roles to learn more.
By Brittany Stephens
Cox Media Digital Media Analyst
I had a pretty unconventional start to my career path. After graduating from high school, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do with my life. I ended up getting a job as a reservationist with a vacation rental company in Gulf Shores, AL. The owner at the time was always helping people and giving us a space to grow. That’s when I realized Marketing was my true passion. Below are five of the key steps I took to pursue that passion and launch my career in digital media.
I attended the University of West Florida to gain a bachelor’s degree in Advertising with a minor in Marketing Applications. I was blessed to have an amazing college mentor, Sabrina McLaughlin, who gave me real-life marketing experience and never let me turn in subpar work. I remember showing her a personal branding project that I thought was complete, the day before it was due, she looked at me and said, “This is one hundred percent not you and you know it. Start over.” I was so frustrated, but I started over. I worked on it all night long and eventually came to a finished project that I used to help craft my resume for my application with Cox Media years later.
Just after my graduation, the company I had worked for a few years as a vacation reservationist was sold to new owners and sadly I was laid off. My college mentor Sabrina was aware of a position at Cox Media and immediately called me. I felt as though I was under-qualified for a Digital Media position, but I applied anyway and my current boss, Steve Allen, hired me as a Digital Media Specialist.
I put all my effort into learning the digital business and processes and quickly added duties to my role with each new thing that I learned. What started as a fulfillment-only position quickly turned to an analyst role where I helped tell stories of success to our digital clients. With this transition, I was promoted to Digital Media Analyst. Cox Media gave me space and flexibility to develop my role by leveraging my strengths and growth areas. A typical day in my life as a Digital Media Analyst is WILD! It’s super fast-paced and I never live the same day twice. Every day I am responsible for monitoring campaigns, building campaign strategies, training Media Consultants (MC’s), and helping clients set up Google Analytics. I find true joy in assisting Media Consultants with anything that pops up during the day and helping them find success for their clients through digital strategies. I also meet virtually or in-person with clients and the Media Consultants to review their campaigns.
I was able to take part in the tuition assistance plan through Cox Media which was a huge help and was a weight lifted off my shoulders as I started the journey to achieve my master’s degree in Digital Media through Full Sail University. This was an accelerated program where everything you would typically learn in two years, I learned in a one-year program. The tuition assistance at Cox was much appreciated, but I would say what helped me the most through grad school was the Cox Media mentorship program. Once again in my life, I was lucky to be teamed up with one of the best mentors, Julie Fielding from the Omaha market. From day one of the mentorship program, Julie helped me grow. She’s helped me build a career path and has supported me in all areas of my life from juggling school to working 40 + hours a week.
Our Pensacola office truly embodies the culture of family and coming together to help each other out. Before I was in grad school, I was studying to take a certification test and I was so nervous that one of my coworkers used her lunch break to work through flashcards with me to make sure I was ready. We are always there for each other and it’s been so inspiring to see our “family” grow through this COVID-19 experience. We are all finding ways to help each other. You never hear the words, “that’s not my job,” instead you hear, “How can I help?” or “We’re all in this together!” That is the culture that I love, and it makes me want to always stay at Cox (see pictures of us celebrating together at holiday-themed parties).
Finally, to have my leaders and my peers give value to my work has been an experience like no other. Last year, I was recognized as the 2019 Unsung Hero for my market and I also received the Torch award. It meant everything to me because this is a company that cares, and they see the hard work and dedication I give to the company every day. It makes everything I’ve done in the past two years’ worth it. All the emails calls and texts I received from coworkers in my market and across the country had me in tears. I love to serve my market and help people out in any way I can.
Special thanks to Brittany for letting us get a glimpse into her day-in-the-life at Cox Media. If you want to read more stories like this one, view our open jobs, or experience #LifeAtCox, visit our website.
Ever wonder what it’s like to lead a team of sales reps? Or perhaps you’ve been curious to know what sales leaders look for when they are hiring a new rep. We sat down with three advertising sales leaders from Cox Media, Inc. who lead teams of all sizes from different states to learn some of the secrets to their success.
Cox Media, Inc. (CMI), is the advertising sales division of Cox Communications with locations across the U.S., and behind the success of this division is a force of sales representatives who find creative advertising solutions for their clients. Let’s meet Suzanne Banks-Russell, based in Mobile, Ala. who’s been with us four years; Baton Rouge-based and 13-year rep Dirk Hofman; and San Diego-based representative Maria McRoberts celebrating 20 years at Cox.
What do you love about your job?
Suzanne: Meeting a wide range of business people and helping them grow. We have a growing portfolio of solutions with something perfect for everyone, no matter the size, business type or budget. I also love how people-focused Cox is and our corporate values. I’m proud to work for Cox.
Dirk: I love that every day is an adventure. The morning starts with a cup of coffee and then you never know where it will take you. In sales, we have no dull moments.
How do you proactively delight your customers?
Dirk: I try to stay relevant. If I send customers the same stuff all the time, I become part of the noise. I try to think ahead and make everything relevant to the customer.
Maria: I remind my clients how much I appreciate their trust in me and how much I value our partnership. More importantly, I do this FACE TO FACE!
What advice do you have for new members of the sales team? New employees, in general?
Suzanne: Cox is an amazing company. Invest time in learning about our company’s history and corporate culture. Don’t rush past our training. You can’t be effective for your clients if you don’t understand our products and solutions.
Dirk: Keep moving forward. Don’t get stuck in something you feel like you could have done better. I always tell new people that when they fail (and they will), Fail Forward. Make mistakes and learn from them. This is the best way to grow and succeed.
Maria: Take advantage of our excellent company training programs and continue to be a life-long learner. Our company benefits are second-to-none. Sign up for everything and stay informed!
How can non-sales employees help us to reach our sales goals?
Suzanne: EVERYONE is a sales employee. Not everyone has face-to-face interaction with our customers, but they need to be ready. Non-sales-employees should take pride and ownership as much as anyone else. Everyone should be part of the goal. Whether it’s a new commercial, a new business popping up in your neighborhood or billboard, tell someone. Everyone can help.
Maria: Non-Sales employees in our organization are some of our best and finest. I find that their ongoing support and encouragement is what makes our sales organization stand out and succeed.
Want to read more articles like this one, view job opportunities that speak to your passions and experience a day in the life at Cox? Search for our Sales Jobs to learn more.
Find out why that matters to Cox Communications employees Todd Tang and Bailey Young Smith, and why they say life at Cox is awesome.
“When someone asks, ‘where do you work’ and I say Cox Media, their eyeballs seem to light up as I explain the portfolio of digital elements that we offer as a major company,” Advertising Account Executive Todd Tang said. “Yes, we are more than a TV and cable business; we offer digital advertising solutions too.”
Cox Media, the advertising sales arm of Cox Communications, helps business owners of all sizes advertise through advanced cable TV and online digital solutions. It’s rewarding work, and one that helps not only the local business owner, but the community they serve. And Advertising Account Executives, like Todd, are on the front lines of that important work.
“In our world, there’s a ton of collaborating,” said fellow Account Executive Bailey Young Smith. “We get to work with our marketing team, analysts and research teams, all based on our client needs.”
That collaboration and knowledge sharing is important, and has been especially for Todd, who leaned on teammates like Bailey during his first few months with the company.
So then, what brought Bailey to Cox initially?
“I’m a longtime resident of Arizona and worked for other digital companies, tech startups and even a magazine,” Bailey shared. “But I felt like I had plateaued and there wasn’t much room for me to grow. When I began interviewing for my role at Cox, I was in the process of getting married. It was a very hectic time and while I wasn’t considering doing both a life and career change at once, it sort of happened that way and I’ve been here ever since.”
With a great team atmosphere, lots of activities outside of work and a culture of giving back to the community, Cox Media provides tremendous opportunity for career growth and career satisfaction.
“We’re not a dress shirt and tie kind of company, either,” Todd said, “and a lot of millennials love that lifestyle of flexibility and less formal attire. Millennials are starting to become the new sales force with their trending experiences in social and digital, and a lot of other employers don’t offer that culture.”
“We have fun here,” Bailey chimed in. “We have an internal group called the People Focus Culture, and we celebrate fun holidays like Cookie Day or National Ice Cream day with in-office ice cream parties.”
On any given day you can find Todd golfing, hiking or visiting restaurants with friends. Bailey looks forward to weekend bike-riding and brunching with friends at local, organic restaurants.
And they both have their sights set on building successful, long-term careers at Cox.
Special thanks to Bailey and Todd for sharing their stories. To learn more about life at Cox and opportunities at Cox Media, visit our career site today.
By Megan Keller
Advertising Account Executive
There aren’t many companies where you can walk into your vice president’s office to ask questions, invite them to lunch or just simply say hello — that’s what it’s like working at Cox Media.
Cox Media is the advertising sales division of Cox Communications. It’s a huge open-door policy here where anybody, no matter what level in the organization, can talk to our leaders about anything, whether it’s getting advice, giving feedback or discussing opportunities for change.
I started at Cox Media Inc right after college. I’m originally from southern California where I attended the University of La Verne, and received my bachelor’s degree in broadcast radio with a minor in marketing. During my final year of school, I wasn’t quite sure which direction to head, so after graduation I flew to Arizona for 10 days to attend the Media Sales Institute hosted by the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation.
Throughout my time at the institute I had the chance to meet and work with different media companies across the country. However, Cox Media stood out to me right away.
I was attracted to the company right from the start; everybody was so educated in their industry and spoke well in front of the group of students. I think what stood out the most was that no one from Cox Media had a bad word to say about other companies there. I could tell this was the kind of culture I wanted to be a part of. When I got a call letting me know that they had a Sales Associate role open and offered it to me, I was excited to come, jump in and get started with my career.
I had never left the state of California before, but Fran Mallace and the rest of the team at Cox made me feel comfortable enough to relocate to a state like Arizona because I had a good support system. I could tell I already had a wonderful support system from the leaders at Cox Media, who were not only vice presidents and directors, but truly mentors, friends and family that wanted to guide you and invest in you.
Now that I have grown from a Sales Associate to an Advertising Account Executive, I have witnessed so many factors that make working for Cox Media something truly unique. Everybody hears the buzz of why working for Cox Media is the best, and those that come from other companies stay at Cox for a long-time career.
As time goes on, I’m truly blessed that I get to learn from and work alongside the best of the best. I will soon reach my two-year anniversary and as someone taking their first steps in their career, I’m especially looking forward to more opportunities for growth at this wonderful company. I know that wherever I end up in this Cox umbrella, I will have a lasting career.
Special thanks to Megan for sharing her story! If you would like to build a career around amazing people and leaders too, visit our website to learn more about our career opportunities.
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