Young Pros Spotlight
Kayla Weatherman
What is your role / current company?: Director, Digital Sales & Programmatic, The Walt Disney Company Local Advertising Sales
When did you join the ARF Young Pros? About 3 years ago
1. What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
Launching the first digital campaign at ABC tracking in-store attribution which resulted in provable in store purchases based on media spend. Building programmatic for ABC local Owned Stations into a multimillion-dollar revenue stream has also been a tremendous accomplishment.
2. What is your biggest professional challenge?
The digital space can be really complex and things are constantly changing, so staying informed and on top of changing technology and policies can be challenging. Additionally, there still isn’t a solid solution for cross screen tracking and measurement.
3. How has being an ARF YP member impacted your career?
Although I am in sales, I understand the importance of research and I work very closely with my research and data insights team which is why I joined ARF. I’ve made a lot of great connections since joining, and the ARF events, particularly the Young Pros Mentoring Lofts, have been valuable as they cover many relevant topics that have been helpful with my career growth.
4. What’s your favorite event that you’ve been to?
My favorite part of being an ARF YP member has been gaining access to the Young Pros Mentoring Lofts. They focus on relevant topics like giving/receiving critical feedback, negotiating, and management which have been very timely based on things I’m currently going through in my role.
5. When researching a topic you know nothing about, how do you get started?
I start with online research and by reading the latest articles on some of my trusted, go-to industry publications, then I check to see if there are any upcoming webinars, events or conferences that I can join to learn more, and last but not least, I tap my network of respected peers for their insight and perspectives.
6. What’s an example of a company/brand that you think is doing a great job?
Rent the Runway, led by female founder Jennifer Hyman and worth over $1B, is a company I think is doing a great job leading the clothing rental/subscription space. As a RtR Unlimited member for over 3 years, I love being able to try new, trendy designer clothing while also reducing the fashion industry’s global impact by cutting down on buying fast fashion.
7. What is your favorite restaurant in your city?
I’m environmentally conscious, so an additional way I reduce my impact on the environment is by eating a more plant based diet. Urban Vegan Kitchen in West Village is my current favorite, but I like supporting any restaurant with veggie options including Beyond Meat or Impossible.
8. What is your favorite show/program?
There’s no way I could choose one; I have favorite shows based on my mood. The Great British Baking Show is my go-to when I want to unwind after a hard day, Modern Family when I want a few laughs, and Killing Eve, Billions, or Marvelous Mrs. Maisel when I’m ready to pay full attention.
9. What’s your dream job? (If money was no object, what would you do?)
I’m a big fan of National Geographic and all of their extremely talented photographers. Two of them, Cristina Mittermeier and Paul Nicklen, founded a nonprofit called SeaLegacy which focuses on ocean conservation. It would be a dream to travel around the world with them to document beautiful and tragic things to raise awareness and action. Perhaps I’d manage social media, write from them, or simply be their scuba diving assistant.
THE ARF YOUNG PROS WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU!
Share a bit about yourself and your work for a chance to be featured as a Spotlight Young Pro!
YP Spotlight Form – Fill out this form to be considered for a Young Pros Spotlight feature.