After 8+ years working on the vendor side helping lead agency sales efforts across mobile attribution, programmatic and social, Steve joined the Headlight team as VP of Partnerships.
In your own words, what’s your role in the app business right now?
My role is to help ensure that our clients are taking full advantage of the services Headlight has to offer, and that we see continuous growth and evolution within the partnership. I do this while acting as a bridge between our team, our clients, and our partner ecosystem.
One of the best parts of my job is being able to identify a need a client has—whether that be on the tech or media side of things—and connect them with a partner to see tangible success from that connection. The end goal is to see a sustainable, mutually beneficial partnership really kick off and scale.
How did you end up working in apps? / get started?
It was really by happenstance. When I was back in Boston, I was interviewing for a BDR position at a startup in the commerce space that didn’t have a headcount until the fall, so the hiring manager gave me a list of great companies on the rise to reach out to. One of those companies was Fiksu, where I was eventually hired on the newly founded agency team.
Fiksu, which at the time was a leading network in the space, was easily the best possible starting point for my career. It was a crash course in everything the mobile app industry has to offer, and I had amazing mentors and managers who truly helped shape who I am professionally. My time at Fiksu opened many doors that led me to where I am now—so a big thank you to Marjie Billings, Mike Bender, Laura Chamberlain (and so many more) for being so great! RIP Fiksu.
What are you most excited about in apps right now?
So many parts of our lives are being optimized by mobile. To name a few areas that are key to me: apps grant us access to our apartments and offices, I only use Apple Pay for the subway or to pay for a drink at a bar, all of my workouts are directly synced from my Garmin to my phone, and even my doctor and dentist appointments are managed within an app—and that’s only going to continue to develop as time goes on.
Is there anyone you’d like to shout out to who has influenced your journey in the app industry?
This is such a tough one because my career has been very much shaped by those I look up to. I’ve been extremely lucky to be brought into companies for amazing roles by previous managers or co-workers, so the list could go on forever.
That being said, one person really rises to the top—Headlight’s late CEO, Grant Harbin. Grant was one of those people with whom you can’t quite remember when or how you became so close; you just did. He was a textbook example of someone who could seamlessly blend charisma and a hilarious personality with one of the sharpest minds our industry has seen. Not many CEOs can walk the walk when it comes to growth or creative strategy while running their business, and Grant did it flawlessly.
As my client and partner, Grant and the Headlight team really showed me how powerful the agency/vendor partnership can be when tackling issues of every size—from day-to-day account challenges to navigating iOS 14. We achieved this with transparent communication and by ensuring we were completely aligned on expectations before bringing anything to our shared accounts.
Personally, Grant pushed me to think about my own personal brand, my future, and the steps I needed to take to develop professionally in tandem with my personal life. He was extremely patient and persuasive, and eventually, after four years of working together, I joined the Headlight team, which was the best decision I’ve made.
The industry truly lost one of its greats, and I miss him deeply.
What do you like most about working in apps?
There’s a reason why mobile is one of the few channels that continues to grow in advertising spend. What I love most about it is that you truly are reaching an individual where they are and can create the most contextual experience in advertising.
Beyond that, I’ve been fortunate to work with brands of all sizes that I love and use on a day-to-day basis, helping them take full advantage of what their app has to offer while providing an amazing user experience for their consumers.
Moreover, the app space continues to evolve in ways other areas of our industry cannot, which makes my job that much more exciting.
What one thing would you change about the app industry/market? Where do you think there’s an opportunity for apps / or unmet needs?
It’s wild how saturated many of the categories are, with little to no differentiation between products. It’s shocking to see carbon copies of the same app driving subscription costs higher and higher, forgetting that, in the end, it should be about providing users with a service or product they need—not just maximizing revenue. I’d love to see more focus on areas that aren’t being supported or that specialize in tackling specific challenges a group of consumers may be facing. For example—give me the celiac-friendly food apps!
If you weren’t working in apps what would you be doing?
If you ask any of my friends, family, or co-workers what I’d choose, everyone would say something within the food industry. Cooking is where I really get to express my creativity, and if I weren’t here, I’d be there. (I’m hoping that one day I’ll reach a point where I can have a nice, cushioned exit and go be a line cook at a great restaurant, just basking in the chaos!)
iOS or Android?
Unequivocally iOS. (I’m not sorry to my green-text-bubble friends!)
What app(s) have been most useful to you over the last year?
Superhuman, Google Calendar, ChatGPT, and LinkedIn for work; Spotify, SoundCloud, Max, Reddit, and Kindle for personal use; Delta and Resy for travel and food explorations; and, of course, above all, Instagram. Also, I’m really thrilled with Wonder’s expansion within NYC.
What’s on your Spotify / Music party playlist?
A lot of house music with the occasional Noah Kahan and some emo throwbacks.
Any Netflix/ TV show recommendations?
Ninety per cent of what I watch is food competitions, but the best series I’ve seen lately is Presumed Innocent.
Is there anything else we should know about you?
I just crossed my nine-year mark in NYC and am excited to officially become ‘a New Yorker’ next year. Always happy to connect with other leaders in the space who are also based here!
Do you know someone driving change and growth in the app industry? Nominate an app leader here.
