Meet the Blackbirdies: Rishita Arora, Account Manager

Welcome to our new series giving you a peek into the big marketing brains of our award-winning team! In the first edition, we’ll meet an Account Manager who has earned rave reviews from clients since joining Blackbird right out of college in 2023: Rishita Arora.

When did you join Blackbird PPC?

I joined Blackbird in September 2023 (just over two years back!).

When did you get started in digital marketing (and in what role)?

All my experience has been in marketing, but my true digital marketing experience (especially on the advertising side) started with Blackbird. I started as an account associate here and have been learning and growing in the field ever since.

What do you like most about digital marketing?

I love how fast-moving digital marketing is. You get quick feedback on what’s working (or not), and there’s so much to test and try. With the industry evolving so rapidly, there’s always something new to learn, and I really enjoy being part of a field that keeps me curious and growing.

What do you like most about working at Blackbird?

At Blackbird, we’re all encouraged to take the lead, try new ideas, and really make a bigger impact. While we take ownership of our channels/clients, we always know there’s a whole team behind us for support. It’s empowering to work somewhere that supports your growth and gives you the space to do your best work.

What’s your favorite accomplishment as a digital marketer?

I truly think that in marketing, the little wins often feel more rewarding than the big accomplishments. Little wins show progress, feel validating, and remind me that I’m consistently adding value. One of my favorite wins was when one of my most challenging clients recognized me in an end-of-year review for putting my best work forward and adapting well to their workflow. It’s the small moments like these that keep you motivated to continually do your best!

What are you most proud of in your marketing career?

I’m really proud of how much my confidence has evolved over time. When I first started digital marketing and client management, I felt shy and unsure of myself. With feedback from my team and consistent practice, I’ve become more confident in both my craft and my ability to communicate a compelling story.

What do you think is a common misconception in digital marketing?

I think one of the big misconceptions is that we’ll see the results from just one clever idea. I believe that performance improvements come from testing and iterating continually. A sustainable testing cycle is more impactful than just one perfect idea or just one viral ad. 

What makes for a good agency culture?

Good agency culture is one where you have the support to grow as an individual and within teams. It gives people room to take initiative, learn from others, and continually develop their skills, knowing they have people to support them.

What’s one crazy prediction you have for marketing channels, features, or functionality for the next 12 months?

My crazy (and probably not so crazy) prediction is that we’ll see a rise in adaptive, conversational advertising within LLMs. With so much buzz around AI and users increasingly switching to LLMs (instead of traditional search engines), I wouldn’t be surprised if we see ads arrive there too. When that happens, marketers will be forced to shift from just launching assets to thoughtfully designing personalized conversations for the users.

When you’re not growing clients, how are you spending your time?

I recently moved to LA, so I’ve been spending my free time exploring the city – trying new food and cafés, going to the beach, and meeting new people. When I’m back home in the Bay Area, I’m usually with friends or family, or reading with a good book.