Every year, hundreds of millions of shoppers click “Buy Now” during Prime Day and similar mega-sale events, but few see the months of work behind those seamless transactions. Brand-side marketers, agency teams, platform specialists, and marketplace pros spend weeks planning, optimizing, and executing to make these moments successful. Yet when the headlines roll in, the spotlight is often on sales numbers, not the people who made them possible.
So, we created Marketplace Managers Appreciation Day, and asked some of our world-class team members what makes a truly excellent marketplace manager. Their answers reflect the passion, precision, and problem-solving it takes to thrive in this fast-moving space:
"A strong Marketplace Manager approaches Amazon as an integrated part of a brand’s broader business, not just a channel to manage in isolation. At Podean, we put ourselves in the client’s shoes by understanding their goals, internal pressures, and cross-functional needs. This lets us build Amazon strategies that feel like a natural extension of their larger roadmap, not just a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s about being proactive, context-aware, and making sure what we do on Amazon supports the bigger picture," — Stefani Colbacchini, Account Director, Podean US.
"The best Marketplace Managers don’t just manage—they lead, adapt, and relentlessly care. They see nuance in the numbers, potential in the problems, and never settle for average. That’s the magic I see at Podean every day. It’s a team of people who push boundaries, lift each other up, and genuinely want to build something better for our clients and each other," — Rachel Hollis, Account Director, Podean Europe.
"A strong Marketplace Manager is strategic, data-driven, and customer-focused. They know how to turn insights into actionable growth and move fast in a constantly changing space. At Podean, these qualities come to life by blending performance marketing expertise with creative thinking, staying ahead of marketplace trends, and quickly adapting to the ever-changing eCommerce landscape. Our collaborative, solutions-focused culture empowers us to deliver meaningful results and long-term success for our clients in the dynamic world of digital commerce," — Shannon Wilmoth, Senior Content Associate, Podean US.
"There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for a strong Marketplace Manager, but in my experience, three core qualities are essential: being highly organized and communicative, innately motivated to grow, and relentlessly curious with a passion for problem-solving. At Podean, these traits shine across the team. As a remote-first agency working with world-class clients in a constantly evolving eCommerce landscape, success requires balancing internal and external stakeholders, staying adaptable, and driving results. What truly sets Podean apart is our shared mindset—we don’t just manage marketplaces, we actively push boundaries, elevate performance, spread positivity, and thrive in the challenge," — Cassidy Ryan, Account Director, Podean US.
"Successful Marketplace Managers exemplify accountability and ownership to the brands they are managing. They know and feel how each decision can impact the brand, and the best way to resolve each challenge that will bring about the best results. There is an abundance of specialists and managers here at Podean who exude those qualities. From retail to media, content to data, I see team members dedicate hours of hard work, collaboration, and communication not just to meet but to exceed each of their brands’ goals," — Aaron Caparaz, General Manager, Podean PH.
"Being a Marketplace Manager is no small task. One of the key strengths I’ve consistently observed among our Marketplace Managers at Podean is their dedication to developing well-rounded eRetail strategies. These strategies go beyond driving success on a single marketplace—they’re thoughtfully designed to support holistic brand growth across the entire ecosystem, enhancing brand relevance and helping achieve broader business goals," — Scott Harned, Media Manager, Podean US.
"A strong Marketplace Manager can prioritize and weigh the impacts of the most important tasks based on timing. This is critical during events such as Prime Day, where addressing the biggest opportunity as quickly as possible has a significant impact on harvesting results. Having a solid understanding of your client's data and the competitive landscape data is a recipe for success. The ability to look at data both at a macro and micro level is what sets apart Podean Marketplace managers, specifically during high-stakes events like Prime Day and the Black Friday/Cyber Monday retail season," — Michael Seymour, Director of Data Strategy, Podean US.
Marketplace Managers aren’t just operators; they’re strategists, collaborators, analysts, and leaders who keep the engine of modern eCommerce running. Their ability to navigate complexity, adapt quickly, and stay focused on both detail and big-picture growth is what drives success for brands in an ever-changing landscape.
Marketplace Managers Appreciation Day is just one small way to recognize the immense talent and dedication behind the scenes. As eCommerce continues to scale and evolve, so does the role of the Marketplace Manager—and we’re proud to celebrate the professionals raising the bar every single day.