SuCo Spotlight June ’25 – Iain Stratton
This month, SuCo wants to spotlight Iain Stratton, a true force on the Media Buying team. As he approaches his third year with the O&O team, Iain has played a pivotal role in expanding our native and paid social presence across the web. Over the years, he’s scaled accounts across multiple verticals and now leads some of our team’s largest campaigns. Always curious and performance-driven, Iain regularly shares valuable insights that don’t just optimize his own work, they help level up the entire O&O media buying team. He also takes on new initiatives and collaborates across departments to make things happen. His impact is undeniable, and he is a key player in driving our business forward. Take a minute to learn a little more about Iain…
How do you stay ahead of trends in the digital space?
In my experience, it’s often more valuable to stand out within the trends than to chase being ahead of them. I usually know we’re ahead when I start seeing other advertisers using elements of our content. My feeds are filled with home service ads, so I’m constantly analyzing what’s out there. Without giving away the secret sauce, take what already works—and then push it in a different direction.
How do you define success in your role?
Not getting hung-up on failures.. I strike out more than I hit grand slams but really at the end of the day (or quarter) success is measured by the thickness of the margin.
Looking back, what’s one pivotal moment that shaped your career path?
One pivotal moment in my career was making the switch from a senior designer role to being a junior media buyer. On paper, it looked like a step backward — but it completely changed the trajectory of my career. After eight years of doing hands-on creative work full-time, I hit a point of burnout. I realized I needed a new challenge—something that would engage a different part of my brain and allow me to grow in new ways. The solution: spend more time in Microsoft Excel.
What is the last show you binge-watched?
The Rehearsal (season 2) and Hacks. Season 2 of The Rehearsal is a wild binge—honestly, the whole series turned me into a Nathan Fielder fan. I’m especially curious to see if his latest show ends up having real-world impacts on aviation safety. Who would’ve guessed that a comedy series might actually make a difference? Hacks is a fun ride with some awesome character development and great writing.
What’s one item on your bucket list?
Scuba diving the reefs of Fiji is way up there for me. I’m obsessed with all things ocean—surfing, fishing, snorkeling, freediving—you get the idea. In college, I even scheduled all my classes in the afternoon just so I could surf every morning. I had a 60-gallon saltwater reef tank in my living room for over 10 years… which I thought was awesome, but apparently my landlord disagreed. Fiji reefs would be the dream—like taking my aquarium hobby and jumping into it.
