As RealtyAds’ talented team continues to grow, we are highlighting dynamic team members from all departments. These individuals play an essential role in connecting our product with clients, and we believe it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the team that provides support to both you and your company.
Austin joined the RealtyAds team in October 2021 and currently serves as the Senior Director of Strategic Growth. In his role, Austin oversees the strategic growth and digital success of some of the largest ownership groups and brokerage firms across the globe. As a key asset and an essential part of the dynamic team at RealtyAds, Austin helps ensure the growth and success of both the RealtyAds team and our clients.
What initially drew you to work for RealtyAds?
I first heard of RealtyAds in 2020 as a tenant rep broker in downtown Chicago. I could tell from the outside looking in that they were up to something special. Luckily, the opportunity presented itself, and I jumped right in. A combination of the founder’s vision, the product itself, and the people at the organization is what drew me to join RealtyAds. I couldn’t be happier that I did!
Working in a tech company over the last few years, how have you seen it change the CRE Industry?
Real estate has always been slower to adopt new technology, and I witnessed it firsthand as a broker. It has had an old-school mentality. However, I feel like that mindset has shifted in the last few years, with more real estate professionals embracing new tools and technology, especially those that are well-established and proven to make an impact. Something I’ve realized is that asset managers on the ownership side are now turning to their brokers for innovative ideas and tech solutions to incorporate into their leasing strategy. It feels like we are at a point where brokers and owners realize they either adapt with the times or get left behind.
What does your day-to-day look like?
My favorite part about RealtyAds is that no day is ever the same. Most of my time is spent client-facing, so my day is consumed with client calls, prospect calls, and, my favorite, client-in-person meetings. Leadership is supportive of us going to see our clients, so I’ve been traveling quite a bit to various markets. Other parts of my day consist of internal meetings with various departments, whether brainstorming product ideas with engineering, helping mentor new hires, collaborating with other sales team members and account managers on existing clients, or working with marketing on client case studies. There’s always a task at hand, and we move fast here at RealtyAds.
What has been the most rewarding thing about being a part of the team here at RealtyAds?
Everyone on the team rows in the same direction and contributes. Being part of a young company, everyone has a voice and an opportunity to make an immediate impact. It’s a pretty cool environment when you have leadership that’s open to your ideas and encourages you to share your opinions because there’s no right answer, in a sense. I’m proud of our team and the talented coworkers I’m surrounded by because I learn from every single person at the company. I’m always learning and growing. But from a client perspective, there’s nothing that fires me up more than when they share a “win” or success story from using our tool.
With your past experience as a broker, how do you translate those skills to better support your clients?
I think, as a former broker, I have a foundational understanding of the commercial real estate nuances and what’s important to each stakeholder (asset manager, leasing broker, or marketer). I can step into their shoes, think through a problem, provide a solution, and make recommendations based on what they want to achieve from a leasing standpoint. Whether an owner has just built brand-new spec suites, is looking for an anchor tenant, or simply wants to get ahead of an upcoming roll, I can help them think through the different applications where the tool can assist as part of the overall leasing strategy.
What do you hope brokers take away/ learn from utilizing our tool?
Just because the same playbook has worked for years doesn’t mean there isn’t a better way. Digital channels are where people spend their time—88% of decision-makers spend time online, making it critical for brokers to have a strategy to engage their prospects where they actually prefer to spend time. The power of RealtyAds lies in controlling your building’s narrative, reaching your target audience wherever they go online, and consistently engaging them to put your building in the best position to win a deal.
After three years at RealtyAds, how would you say the tool has further adapted to better support brokers, asset managers, and marketers?
RealtyAds, at its core, sets out to solve three key pain points: improving broker reach, improving targeted tenant reach, and reaching both audiences consistently. That hasn’t changed, but our product has evolved considerably to continue leading and delivering results in those three categories. The best part about our product is that it is powered and built through customer feedback. We just released our biggest reporting update in company history, and much of the new reporting is centered around what brokers, asset managers, and marketers want to see from our product. We are always trying to stay ten steps ahead of the industry and continue building a world-leading product that enables leasing and asset management teams to put their buildings in the best position to succeed and achieve their occupancy goals.
Working on the Strategic Sales Team, what is something people wouldn’t expect/ find surprising?
We all have different backgrounds and expertise, which helps provide our clients with new and fresh perspectives when servicing their accounts/businesses.
What’s your favorite thing about living in Chicago?
Definitely the Lakeshore trail and attending Chicago sporting events.
Favorite Restaurants in Chicago?
Tivoli Tavern, Trattoria Gianni, Summer House, Ranalli’s Pizza.
If you want to learn more about the team at RealtyAds, click here to read about our dynamic team members.
RealtyAds is helping commercial real estate find, advance, and close more deals by engaging decision-makers and their representation on the world’s most effective customer acquisition channels. For more information, visit RealtyAds.com and follow RealtyAds on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.