Balancing Differentiation with Simplicity: Q&A with Jenny Patel, Associate Director of Media Strategy

Hey Jenny, I’m excited to chat with you today! Most people don’t set out to work in ad tech — what’s your story?

Let me take you back a little. I studied cognitive science in college, which isn’t a very common major. It’s essentially a blend of different disciplines aimed at understanding how humans interact with the world, with each other, and with technology. I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of people and tech, especially since technology is continuously evolving.

When I started job hunting, I was drawn to roles that emphasized strategic thinking around technology while keeping the human element at the forefront. A lot of the positions I found myself bookmarking were in advertising or ad tech. And, to your point, no one really knows what ad tech is until they’re in it! The more I explored, the more it aligned with my interests.

Ultimately, the creative side was what sealed the deal for me. I’ve always loved the creative aspects of technology — things like visual design and user experience. In ad tech, understanding how design impacts usability and outcomes is so important. The combination of strategy and creativity was a perfect balance for me.

Speaking of your background, you started at an ad agency before joining Jun Group. How has that shaped your approach to working on the media strategy team?

It’s been incredibly helpful. When you’re immersed in a role, it’s easy to get caught up in the industry jargon and forget that clients don’t necessarily share that knowledge. My agency experience taught me to see things from the client’s perspective. They’re evaluating proposals from multiple companies, not just ours.

At Jun Group, we have unique offerings — like our polling technology and mobile-first approach — but we also provide solutions for CTV, web, and more. My goal is to make our value stand out while ensuring the client understands everything clearly. Balancing differentiation with clarity and simplicity is key.

What do you find most challenging and most rewarding about working in media strategy?

The most challenging part has been finding a solution to questions that don’t have straightforward answers. That’s when we have to think outside the box to find solutions that could also be beneficial to others in the future. On the flip side, figuring out those solutions is the most rewarding part. Once we create a framework to address a new challenge, it feels great to know we’ve met expectations.

If you had to pick three words to describe your work style, what would they be?

Process, solution, and detail-oriented. I love a good process — anytime a process isn’t there or is broken, it just makes things harder for everyone. I enjoy picking those out and refining ways of doing things.

Secondly, the goal of the media strategy team is to find solutions for our clients and showcase the value they’re looking for, so it’s about presenting strategies that go above and beyond. Along with that comes being detail-oriented. There are a lot of moving pieces, from pricing to mockups, decks, and even follow-up questions. You want to ensure that whatever you’re putting together is cohesive with everything we’ve either historically presented or plan to showcase in the future while being mindful of the finer details and the bigger picture.

And lastly, what do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I enjoy playing pickle ball — it’s my go-to sporty activity. Anytime I can book an indoor or outdoor court, I’m there. I’d like to think I was ahead of the trend because shortly after I started playing, it seemed like everyone was posting about it. The best part is that even people who aren’t very athletic can pick it up easily.

I also love anything crafty, especially artwork. My latest obsession is working with clay — I’ve been creating home décor pieces, and it’s been such a fun hobby. Outside of that, I enjoy exploring new places that pop up around here. While Charlotte, North Carolina doesn’t have food quite like New York, there’s always something new to try. I like to break out of my routine and keep things fresh by trying something different.

Follow Jenny Patel on LinkedIn.