Luis Villanueva García

With a career path shaped by curiosity and a willingness to embrace new challenges, Luis Villanueva represents the kind of talent that thrives in the fast-paced world of programmatic. As a Technical Account Manager, he brings a unique perspective that combines a holistic understanding of the business with a strong focus on collaboration and impact. In this interview, Luis shares how he made the leap into the industry, the key skills needed to succeed in such a dynamic role, and why patience, teamwork, and adaptability are at the core of his day-to-day work.

Question: How did you get into the programmatic industry?

Answer: It was actually a very interesting career pivot. I was looking for a breath of fresh air. Even though my profile wasn’t a “perfect match” on paper at first, Pat (who is absolutely amazing) saw something in me. She gave me the chance to join the TAM team, and honestly? I couldn’t be happier with how that leap of faith turned out.

Q: What is the best part of being an Technical Account Manager?

A: The best part is the incredible bird’s-eye view of the business you gain every single day. Seeing the direct impact of your actions is rewarding, though I’ll admit it can be a bit overwhelming at times! But if you’re naturally curious and know how to lean on your team, being a TAM is a thrill ride you’ll definitely enjoy.

Q: Could you list some tips for becoming a good Technical Account Manager? What are the essential skills needed in your job?

A: If I had to summarize it in a few words, they would be:

• Patience (priority number one)
• Master the art of brevity: learn to synthesize and summarize your feedback
• Relentless follow-up: don’t let things fall through the cracks
• Collaboration: it’s a team sport, not a solo marathon
• Ask questions: the right answer isn’t always obvious at first glance
• And yes… patience again

Q: How do you organize your day? What tools do you use, and which are your favorite?

A: I’m a bit of a “hybrid” organizer. I still use traditional post-it notes for those “must-not-forget-or-the-world-ends” tasks. For everything else, I rely on our standard work tools to manage workflows. In the TAM world, we usually work in parallel, though I’ve learned to always leave room for the unexpected—because something will inevitably turn your schedule upside down.

Q: Do you have any idea how many emails you send per day?

A: To be honest, we are much more of a Slack-heavy team. We’re in constant communication there, so my email inbox actually gets a bit of a breather compared to our message notifications.

Q: What is the app you use the most in your dailiy life?

A: Officially: Antigravity and Linear—they keep the gears turning.
Unofficially: Qobuz. I need my Hans Zimmer soundtracks to feel like I’m in an epic movie while I work.

Q: What is the first thing you do when you get home and disconnect from work?

A: I give my family a massive hug, as if I haven’t seen them in a month! Then comes the tactical challenge: avoiding being tackled to the ground by my 25kg dog, who still thinks he’s a tiny 3-month-old puppy. After that, I’m just another kid playing on the floor with my children.

Q: What would you do if you won the lottery?

A: That depends on the jackpot! If it’s “retirement money,” I’d focus on investing (because deep down, the capitalist in me never sleeps) and then I’d take my family to see the world. Asia is definitely calling our names.

Q: Tell us a fun fact about yourself