Q&A with Jeanne Hopkins, CMO at Lola.com

MEDIA 7 | October 24, 2019

Q&A with Jeanne Hopkins, CMO at Lola.com
Jeanne Hopkins, CMO at Lola.com has profound expertise in data-driven, high-velocity customer acquisition and marketing organizations and inbound-based lead gen programs to support global demand for high-growth SaaS companies.

Jeanne is also the co-author of "Go Mobile"​, the #1 best-selling mobile marketing book. She has been named to Sales Lead Management Association "Top 50"​ 3 years in a row and "20 Women to Watch" in 2015/14/13 & 2011.

MEDIA 7: What inspired you to get into marketing?
JEANNE HOPKINS:
 After graduation, I took my first job in the accounting department at Baystate Medical Center. At my annual review, I was told that I was too “noisy” for an accounting department. I went on to work at Milton Bradley Company’s in-house advertising agency, MB Communications, as editor of their in-house newspaper, and later recruited to LEGO Systems to do marketing programs. I found myself at a self-funded start-up tech company in 2000, where I was running an inside sales team and building digital properties to generate leads. I moved into software, digital marketing, and lead generation at companies like MarketingSherpa, then HubSpot, SmartBear, Ipswitch (now Progress Software) – it’s all been a fantastic journey.

M7: How is agile technology transforming corporate travel around the globe?
JH:
Small and mid-sized businesses have to be fast and efficient amidst growth, and booking, re-booking, and managing business travel can seriously impede efficiency and productivity. Finance teams are trying to manage, control, and get visibility into expenditures. Travelers are trying to do their jobs and don’t have time for expense reports. And travel arrangers (executive assistants and office admins) have plenty on their plates. Finally, there are tools that are addressing these direct needs at small and mid-sized businesses. Consumers have had the ease of booking travel through sites like Kayak and big businesses can afford the services and fees associated with high-end travel agencies. But the middle segment has been left out. Now, agile tools like Lola.com are making it really easy for corporate travelers to book, re-book, and take the task of expense reports off the table. And finance teams are able to set up travel policies in minutes, and easily manage, control, and get visibility into expenditures. The corporate travel market is huge, and agile technology is making it much easier for travelers and companies all-around.


"The corporate travel market is huge, and agile technology is making it much easier for travelers and companies all-around."

M7: How does Lola.com ensure a hassle-free modern business travel experience with transparent spending for its customers / business travelers?
JH:
It’s a simple super app to use. For travelers, it has a large inventory of flights and hotels that allows users to avoid having to go between tabs or other sites to compare fares, and it saves preferences, loyalty programs, and payment options in the same place. Traveler profiles are automatically stored so users can book with one click, and the 24/7 support team ensures easy booking and re-booking due to delays and cancellations. Seriously, when someone is in the air, missing their connection due to a delay, many times, Lola.com support has them re-booked on another flight before they land.

For finance personnel, a corporate travel policy can be set up in five minutes for more control over spending, and employees automatically know what they are allowed to book. Takes the guesswork out of the booking process. All data resides in one place so there is complete visibility into travel spend. And we integrate with other tools like Expensify – receipts are automatically sent to Expensify for easy expense tracking and reporting. No messing with receipts (or missing receipts either).


"For finance personnel, a corporate travel policy can be set up in five minutes for more control over spending, and employees automatically know what they are allowed to book."

M7: What trends do you foresee in the ‘Travel & Expense Software Market’ in future?
JH:
Certainly, we are seeing “Bleisure” travel on the rise – those looking to combine business travel with leisure time. Busy people who travel with their jobs want to get the most out a business trip, and many times, even look to extend a business trip last minute to enjoy the area or do something in particular. So companies are looking for faster, agile tools that can respond to quick changes in plans. Companies are also focusing more on keeping their travelers happy and productive on the road, and don’t want them to get caught up in the red tape of corporate travel. So, the trend is simple, faster, more agile tools to make arranging and managing travel a great experience for all.

M7: As the co-author of ‘Go Mobile’, what tactics do you believe modern marketers must focus for successful mobile media marketing campaigns?
JH:  
That book was launched in 2012 and was probably ahead of its time. While at HubSpot seven years ago, I saw the growing influence of mobile search on our blog and website and wanted to make sure we recognized its impact. Today, marketers know that Google prioritizes mobile search and it is imperative to truly understand the need for content that can be delivered in a mobile setting. The ability to auto-fill a form is critical now. The ability to read your email and respond is imperative now. The ability to print from your phone is important - whether an eBook, a recipe or instructions. Your mobile device is your computer now. It wasn’t perceived as that urgent a requirement until 18-24 months ago.


"Companies are focusing more on keeping their travelers happy and productive on the road, and don’t want them to get caught up in the red tape of corporate travel. So, the trend is simple, faster, more agile tools to make arranging and managing travel a great experience for all."

M7: What is your favorite part of working at Lola.com?
JH:
The people. Transparently, everyone really values working alongside each other – all smart, motivated, driven, fun teammates who want to make Lola.com the best workplace ever.  I take a quote from Netflix on how I feel, “Loosely coupled yet tightly aligned.”

M7: What is your superpower or spirit animal?
JH:
 GSD. I just like to get stuff done. I use lists, reminders, notes, etc. to try and stay on top of all that needs to be done. More than anything, I want my team and the company to be successful. I enjoy working, and I enjoy success and - most of all - I enjoy making mistakes and sharing what I did so that others realize that you won’t die from a typo. It’s all fun and I enjoy laughing most of all (remember, I am a loud individual).

ABOUT LOLA.COM

Lola.com makes Agile Travel Management real by providing a super simple way to manage, book and report on business travel, saving employers and travelers time and money. Happy employee travel experiences within a policy can be set up in five minutes. Lola.com uses machine learning and 24/7 support to help travelers easily book trips, while empowering managers to create policies, view budgets and expenditures, and monitor their globetrotting team efficiently. Based in Boston, the company was founded in 2015 by Paul English, co-founder of the travel booking site KAYAK, and is led by CEO Mike Volpe, previously CMO at HubSpot. For more information, connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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Business Wire | September 01, 2023

American Real Estate Partners announced a partnership with Unstuck Labs, an award-winning tech accelerator and mobile app developer that works with early-stage startups, founders, and innovation programs. United by a shared goal of providing environments for people to feel and perform at their best, Unstuck Labs chose one of AREP’s custom-designed SuiteX office spaces for its new startup studio location at the company’s newly transformed Rosslyn City Center (RCC) in the heart of Arlington, Virginia. And every week, RCC will be home to Unstuck Tuesdays, a free workshop for the brave, curious entrepreneur looking to level up. “We are incredibly proud to partner with Arlington Economic Development, Rosslyn BID and Unstuck Labs to support and bring new businesses to Rosslyn,” said Paul Schulman, Principal and COO at AREP. RCC isn’t your typical office building. With innovation and technology ingrained in its DNA, AREP developed RCC to accommodate the ever-changing customer and digital landscape, incorporating prop tech to elevate the tenant experience. RCC offers tech-advanced workspaces that foster innovation and connectivity and leverages broader tech partnerships like Wired Score, Datawatch and VTS to better serve and understand its customers. Each tenant has exclusive use of AREP’s award-winning tenant engagement app AREPx to seamlessly access exclusive events and programming, building features, and amenities in and around the building. Unstuck Labs’ jargon-free, no-fluff approach to accelerating startups’ growth and commitment to building a learning community of passionate founders who help each other succeed perfectly aligns with AREP’s mission. And there’s no better place for the two companies to lock arms than the gateway to the nation’s capital. Ranked No. 3 on Niche’s list of Best Cities to Raise a Family in America and No. 5 on its list of Best Cities for Young Professionals in America, Arlington has emerged as one of the nation’s premier destinations for new businesses, especially in the technology field. RCC’s prime location in the heart of Rosslyn coupled with its unapologetic customer-first philosophy and world-class amenities make it a premier destination for growing businesses - not to mention its location above one of the Washington region's busiest Metro transit stations, providing seamless access to the wider DMV area. "You know, at Unstuck Labs, we're not just about lighting up creativity or speeding up innovation. We're about dreaming big, about building a future where ideas have no limits, and RCC? Well, it's the perfect place for us to make this happen," said Wa'il Ashshowwaf, CEO and Co-founder of Unstuck Labs. "Just think about it. We're right in the middle of this amazing hub, with big-name corporations and top universities as our neighbors. We're surrounded by incredible talent and folks who are just as eager to make a difference as we are. And our new spot at RCC? It's not just an office with a killer view, it's a place where dreamers and doers come together. After a day of shaping the future, we can kick back at the Assembly Food Hall, get our sweat on at Gold's Gym, or just jump on the Metro and be home in no time. It's all part of the journey. We're super excited to be a part of the Rosslyn BID and Rosslyn City Center community, and together, we're going to make a future where every idea has the potential to change the world. And you know what? We can't wait to get started." “Rosslyn is attracting innovators from all over the country, and RCC is the epicenter of it all,” said John Chesley, AREP’s MD Asset Management. “More and more tech companies are choosing AREP because we offer connectivity, accessibility, and world-class amenities in bustling, walkable communities. And with a prime location in one of the nation’s top cities for startups and incubator businesses, RCC provides companies like Unstuck Labs with everything they need to grow their business and thrive.” "Arlington has always been an excellent location for tech companies to grow and thrive, and the region's local tech startups are some of the most innovative in the nation," said Michael Stiefvater, Acting Director of Arlington Economic Development's Business Investment Group. "The resources of Unstuck Labs will allow for some of these early-stage startups to collaborate and expand on opportunities available locally. We are proud to support Unstuck Labs in Rosslyn via the Arlington Innovation Fund.” “Rosslyn is designed to help companies like Unstuck Labs plug into an ecosystem in a prime location with business amenities and connections that support growth and expansion at any stage,” said Mary-Claire Burick, president of the Rosslyn Business Improvement District (BID). “When I met the Unstuck Labs team, I knew that their commitment to dreaming big and building the future of innovation would be an asset to Rosslyn and, in turn, could help them thrive and excel within our connected and vibrant neighborhood. I can’t wait to see what the future of this relationship will hold.” ABOUT AMERICAN REAL ESTATE PARTNERS Headquartered in the Greater Washington metropolitan area, AREP is an institutional fund manager and operating partner focused on data center, residential, industrial, and office assets, on both a development and repositioning basis in key markets along the East Coast.Since the company’s founding in 2003, AREP has deployed over $5.3 B across targeted geographies, acquired more than 21 million SF of Class A real estate, and currently oversees over 10 million SF. AREP's vertically integrated real estate platform and experienced Management Team provide exceptional expertise in all ownership disciplines from acquisition to realization. By leveraging this expertise, AREP remains at the forefront of real estate innovation, maximizing investment and enhancing performance to provide added value for its investors. 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Kimco Realty® Acquires Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center

Kimco Realty Corporation | August 25, 2023

Kimco Realty® North America’s largest publicly traded owner and operator of open-air, grocery-anchored shopping centers and a growing portfolio of mixed-use assets, today announced the acquisition of Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, a 96%-occupied, 504,000-square-foot, grocery-anchored lifestyle center in Woodbridge, Virginia, for $172.5 million. The center, which has an estimated population of over 230,000 people and an average household income of $125,000 within a five-mile radius, is anchored by a 138,500 square foot Wegmans, one of the state's top-ranking grocers with a trade area of 40 miles, and the only Apple store in the greater trade area. The center's diverse tenant mix features a complementary blend of leading national brands, including REI, Ulta Beauty, Starbucks, Cava, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, as well as a variety of local shops which include boutique fitness, personal services, restaurants and medical uses. "We’re excited to add Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, a premiere grocery-anchored center situated in a high barrier-to-entry location with strong demographics, to our dynamic portfolio,” said Ross Cooper, Kimco’s President and Chief Investment Officer. “This center boasts a robust growth profile that will complement and solidify Kimco’s position as the leading retail player in the suburban Washington D.C. market.” This acquisition presents a variety of growth prospects, including the potential to develop three outparcel retail buildings, increase density through mixed-use development, and enhance the existing merchandising mix through the recapture of below market leases. Strategically located at the intersections of I-95, Dale Boulevard, Route 1, and Opitz Boulevard, the center benefits from 5.5 million annual visits, ranking in the 97th percentile nationally. Construction of a municipal park and ride garage adjacent to the center demonstrates continued government investment in the area and is expected to drive additional traffic upon its completion in mid-2024. About Kimco Realty Kimco Realty is a real estate investment trust (REIT) headquartered in Jericho, N.Y. that is North America’s largest publicly traded owner and operator of open-air, grocery-anchored shopping centers and a growing portfolio of mixed-use assets. The company’s portfolio is primarily concentrated in the first-ring suburbs of the top major metropolitan markets, including those in high-barrier-to-entry coastal markets and rapidly expanding Sun Belt cities, with a tenant mix focused on essential, necessity-based goods and services that drive multiple shopping trips per week. Kimco Realty is also committed to leadership in environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues and is a recognized industry leader in these areas. Publicly traded on the NYSE since 1991, and included in the S&P 500 Index, the company has specialized in shopping center ownership, management, acquisitions, and value enhancing redevelopment activities for more than 60 years. As of June 30, 2023, the company owned interests in 528 U.S. shopping centers and mixed-use assets comprising 90 million square feet of gross leasable space.

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Real Estate Technology

FOREWARN Partners with Space Coast Association of REALTORS

FOREWARN | August 28, 2023

FOREWARN, LLC, a red violet company and the leading provider of real-time information solutions for real estate agents, today announced that Space Coast Association of REALTORS® (“SCAR”) has contracted to make FOREWARN® services available for the 6,000+ members they serve throughout Brevard County and the Space Coast to promote proactive real estate agent safety. Available both online and through a mobile application, FOREWARN analyzes billions of data points and provides users with the ability to mitigate risks by verifying identity, searching for criminal histories, and validating information provided by potential clients -- using just a phone number. FOREWARN allows agents to properly and safely plan for showings with a higher level of confidence. The FOREWARN services purchased by SCAR are available to the 6,000+ real estate agent membership at no additional cost to individual members. “We were looking for a solution that would help our members protect themselves well ahead of being in a potentially dangerous situation, and FOREWARN was the clear choice,” said Nancy Bartlett, President of Space Coast Association of REALTORS®. “It will equip our members to verify the identity of their unknown prospects in seconds, helping to address concerns around physical safety as well as possible fraud.” Lindsey Ruschak, CEO of Space Coast Association of REALTORS®, went on to say, “We’re thrilled to be able to offer this product as a benefit of membership with Space Coast Association of REALTORS®, the launch is timely with REALTOR® Safety Month being recognized in September.” Existing SCAR members will receive specific instructions on how to move forward with activating their FOREWARN subscription. About FOREWARN At FOREWARN, we bring instant knowledge through innovative solutions to ensure safer engagements and smarter interactions. Leveraging powerful analytics and a massive data repository, our solutions enable organizations to gain real-time knowledge, for purposes such as verifying identity, searching for criminal histories, and validating information. Risk assessment and due diligence at your fingertips™. About red violet At red violet, we build proprietary technologies and apply analytical capabilities to deliver identity intelligence. Our technology powers critical solutions, which empower organizations to operate with confidence. Our solutions enable the real-time identification and location of people, businesses, assets and their interrelationships. These solutions are used for purposes including risk mitigation, due diligence, fraud detection and prevention, regulatory compliance, and customer acquisition. Our intelligent platform, CORE™, is purpose-built for the enterprise, yet flexible enough for organizations of all sizes, bringing clarity to massive datasets by transforming data into intelligence. Our solutions are used today to enable frictionless commerce, to ensure safety, and to reduce fraud and the concomitant expense borne by society.

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