We’re excited to introduce Jesse Frankling, our new Engineering Manager, who brings a passion for people-first tech, scalable systems, and thoughtful leadership to the table.
Keep reading to learn more about Jesse’s journey, what excites him most about the role, and his advice for anyone looking to break into the world of engineering and digital media.
Q&A with Jesse Frankling
What path led you here?
I’ve always been passionate about the intersection of technology, product, and people. My career started in software engineering, but I quickly realized my deeper motivation came from empowering teams and driving impact beyond code; through thoughtful leadership, scalable systems, and product-led thinking. Over the years, I’ve worked across startups and scale-ups during moments of hypergrowth, building platforms that supported not just user growth, but developer growth too. Each role taught me how critical developer experience and team health are to shipping great products. That mindset ultimately led me to Hotspex Media, where I saw an opportunity to combine my love of team building with a mission to modernize digital media infrastructure in a fast-moving environment.
What are you most excited for in your position at Hotspex Media?
I’m most excited to amplify the team’s ability to build. That means refining the developer experience, reducing cognitive load, and empowering engineers to move quickly with confidence. I’m also looking forward to partnering closely with product and media strategy teams to create internal tools that truly accelerate the way Hotspex operates; from campaign execution to measurement. There's a huge opportunity to modernize our tech stack, automate the mundane, and build systems that scale with both people and demand. The chance to foster a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and growth is what truly energizes me.
What’s your favourite thing about working in the industry?
The constant evolution. Digital media and advertising never sit still; it’s a perfect playground for builders who like to solve complex, dynamic problems. I love working at the edge where user behavior, creative experimentation, and data converge. The feedback loop is fast, the stakes are high, and the impact is tangible. Every new platform or algorithm shift is an opportunity to rethink, rebuild, and optimize; especially when you're building tools that help others navigate that change.
What advice would you give someone just starting in your field?
Focus on learning how to learn. Tech changes fast, but your ability to ask good questions, seek feedback, and grow from mistakes will be your most valuable skill. Also: write things down, help others level up, and don’t underestimate the impact of great documentation. Lastly, build for others; not just for yourself. Whether you’re writing code or designing a process, think about the person coming after you. That mindset will make you indispensable on any team.
Tell us a fun fact about you.
I once thwarted a potential cybersecurity breach with 4% battery life, 1 bar of Wi-Fi, and a half-functioning VPN; all while waiting for a delayed flight. I also grow blackberries and raspberries in pots.