A story of motherhood, ad sales, and life at Amazon Ads

When Alexis Lancellotti joined Amazon Ads, the move was met with some skepticism. “Everyone was like, ‘Oh, going to Big Tech. You're not going to be happy; you’re going to work all the time,’ and it's quite the opposite,” she laughs. “Yes, I work hard, but it’s the happiest I’ve ever been in a role.”

Alexis has found a workplace that challenges her, lets her innovate, and offers the flexibility to balance family life with two small children.

As a Senior Account Executive, she leads the account for a major US food producer, which means meeting with her client daily, strategizing campaigns, and staying ahead of the latest advances in advertising.

“I work on this account only, and my job is to consult with my client on how best to advertise on Amazon properties,” she explains.

The role puts her at the heart of Amazon’s ad landscape, from interactive ads on Prime Video to developing customer engagement through Twitch.

Breaking ad barriers

“We're at the forefront of innovation,” Alexis says. Being part of a team of consultants rather than traditional salespeople, Alexis is able to help her client solve real-world business problems. "When clients come to us with a challenge, we work backwards from that problem to find creative solutions."

But it’s not just about the tech; Alexis emphasizes the importance of Amazon’s culture of earning trust and having ownership. “I get to run my business how I see fit,” she says. “My bosses don’t micromanage but are there when I need them. This trust empowers me to think creatively and move quickly.”

Her innovative approach has earned recognition. One of her campaigns recently won a WPP global recognition award for work on activations that re-imagined creativity in an advertiser’s campaigns.

Creative freedom

What excites Alexis most is the creative freedom to develop unexpected solutions. "For example, now Thursday Night Football is part of the Amazon canvas,” Alexis explains. “We come up with fun activations around football, which helps brands reach entirely new audiences in fresh ways."

She emphasizes how her role combines data-driven insights with relationship-building. "At Amazon, you can be a creative person or a numbers person and still excel. We have access to amazing data, but it's also about understanding your clients and pulling the right levers to help them succeed."

Customer-first advertising

Alexis focuses on creating user-friendly experiences that put customer trust first. “We’re very tactical about who sees our ads and in what environment. Studies show that people don’t mind seeing ads related to their interests, so we focus on personalization and context. Ads should improve our customers’ lives.”

A great example of this customer-first approach is Amazon’s strategy on Prime Video.
“Instead of loading it up with ads, we have one of the smallest ad load times of any ad-supported streaming service,” Alexis notes. “That builds trust because viewers know they can watch their favorite shows without being bombarded.”

It’s this philosophy of end-user trust and invention that drives Alexis’s creativity. “I’m allowed to come up with new ideas to connect brands with their audiences in engaging and memorable ways.”

Balancing work and family

One thing that has surprised Alexis most about Amazon Ads is the support she’s received as a working mother.

“I think a lot of companies say they support working parents, but Amazon has truly been exceptional,” she reflects.

Based at Amazon's Arlington headquarters, Alexis appreciates the family-friendly environment. "Sometimes when I don't have childcare for my son, I take him to the Amazon building. He sits with me and gets a badge, and co-workers give him stickers. It's such a warm, welcoming feeling as a mother."

Her recent maternity leave experience demonstrates this flexibility. “I was able to take my bonding and maternity leave in spurts, in a way that suited me best.”

What it takes to succeed

For Alexis, thriving at Amazon as an Account Executive requires a unique skill set. “You need to be organized, a great communicator, and very self-sufficient,” she advises. “It’s a hands-off environment where you’re trusted to run your business, so you have to dig in, find answers yourself, and be constantly curious.”

Alexis notes that Amazon can be a lot to take in, especially when you first join. “It's like drinking from a fire hose when you start, but if you're patient and truly customer-obsessed, focusing on building long-term relationships, you can make a great career here."

Looking ahead

As Alexis looks to the future, she wants to continue creating an environment where clients are supported, reflecting the same culture of trust she experiences. “I truly love what I do every day,” she says. “I want to be in a leadership role where I can start to implement some of my ideas, especially about client appreciation beyond sales.”