CPM Rising Star: Bennett Bernstedter

Bennett Bernstedter, CPMStar’s Director of International Clients, describes a typical day in their  life working remotely from Berlin, Germany.

CPM Rising Stars is a series about the employees working behind the scenes at CPMStar and what they do day to day within their roles.

Can you introduce yourself and describe your role at CPMStar?

Hi, I’m Bennett, Director of International Clients at CPMStar, based in Berlin, Germany. I work with a range of advertisers, from game developers to agencies and lifestyle brands, helping them run campaigns that connect with the right audiences. While most of my time is spent on the advertiser side, I also support publishers in optimizing their inventory and partnerships. The mix keeps things fresh - no two campaigns or conversations are ever the same.

What does a typical day look like for you at CPMStar? Walk us through your daily responsibilities.

My day usually starts with coffee and catching up on emails and Slack. With time zones in play, there’s often a backlog of messages from partners across the globe. From there, it’s a mix of client calls, campaign planning, and performance reviews. Outreach is a big part of what I do: connecting with new advertisers, keeping an eye on industry news and launches to spot potential fits, and thinking about how we can help support their goals. Internally, I work closely with the team on strategy, creative direction, and making sure campaigns stay on track. Since we work globally, some days really only hit full speed in the evening, especially when meetings line up with the West Coast or Asia. So yes, that often means a second coffee (or third, if we’re being honest) somewhere around 7/8pm.

How did you end up working at CPMStar? What inspired you to join the team?

I’ve always been into games, so when I found a way to combine that passion with marketing, I was hooked. What really stood out about CPMStar was its history, as the oldest dedicated game advertising company, it felt like joining an institution that had seen the space evolve from the beginning. At the same time, the work isn’t stuck in the past. You get to see real-time results, think creatively, and connect with partners from all over the world, all through the lens of gaming. The chance to be part of something with legacy, while still building something fresh and long-term, really appealed to me.

What has been your most exciting or rewarding project at CPMStar so far?

Honestly, one of the most rewarding things has been seeing CPMStar evolve after joining forces with Aditude. The acquisition wasn’t just a business move - it brought in new energy, new people, and really opened up how we work as a team. Building something together across time zones, departments, and backgrounds - and shaping the “new” CPMStar while staying true to its roots- has been a highlight. It’s not one campaign or client, but more about creating a culture where we work closer than ever and push things forward together.

What are some common challenges you face in your role, and how do you overcome them?

Time zones are definitely one of the ongoing challenges - working with partners and teammates across the globe means there’s no perfect schedule, and sometimes your “evening” is someone else’s prime-time. Another challenge is balancing speed with customization. Every advertiser wants results fast, but the most effective campaigns are never copy-paste. It takes a bit of education, planning, and sometimes pushing back to make sure we’re not just rushing, but doing it right. What helps is staying flexible, communicating clearly, and having a team you can rely on - both internally and on the client side.

What’s one thing you’ve learned from your colleagues that’s made a big impact on your work?

One thing I really learned is that things work best when you don’t try to handle everything on your own. Even if you're the one leading a campaign or a project, it helps a lot to ask for input early, get second opinions, and work through ideas together. The team here is great at that. People jump in, share feedback, and help improve things. That made me better at opening up early in the process, not trying to perfect everything first. Especially when working remotely, that kind of mindset really makes a difference.

What advice would you give someone looking to pursue a similar career?

If you want to work in this space, be curious, about the products/brands, advertising, people, and how things connect. It helps to understand the numbers and the tech, but just as important is being able to listen, communicate clearly, and build trust. Also, don’t wait to be “ready” for every part of the job. A lot of the learning happens once you’re in it, especially in this fast-paced industry. Being proactive, asking questions, and caring about the details will take you a long way.