In this edition of our Meet the Team series, we’re excited to spotlight Shari Rauch, Director of Media Buying at Bridgenext. Based in Woodbury, NY, Shari brings a rich, multi-faceted background in media—from production and sales to her current role leading strategic media buying initiatives. With a career that began in the control rooms of CNN and evolved through decades of hands-on experience, Shari’s journey reflects not just adaptability, but a genuine passion for helping clients connect with the right audiences in meaningful ways. Let’s dive deeper and explore more about Shari in the sections below.
Bridgenext Team Stats:
- Name: Shari Rauch
- Hometown: Plainview, NY
- Current Team: Woodbury, NY
- Team Role: Director, Media Buying
- How did you enter the media industry? I went to the University of Maryland as a business major thinking I wanted to be an accountant. A couple of courses in I knew it wasn’t for me and came across Radio, Television and Film. I switched my major and that was my path going forward. My senior year I interned at CNN in DC which provided me with amazing hands-on experience. I was one of the few interns that wanted to be in the control room. The production crew took me under their wings, and it was a fantastic experience. After graduating college, I started out on the production side of the business producing satellite media tours, B-Roll packages, and creative video content. From there I transitioned to sales and after many years as an account director I made the move to media buying which I love. It’s been great getting to work in all these different areas of the industry.
- Sum up your work style in three emojis:
- What do you love most about working with your team at Bridgenext? I truly love working with everyone on our team. We are always collaborating to create unique media plans for our clients. I consider the team to be more than just colleagues, they are my friends.
- How would your coworkers describe you? Hardworking, organized, detail oriented, can-do attitude.
- Favorite go-to snack/drink to keep your creative juices flowing Anything chocolate
- What fuels your creative fire? (Besides caffeine and money, of course!) I enjoy designing integrated plans that provide clients with the right mix of media for the biggest impact on their target audience while maximizing their budget. I also enjoy the research side, which keeps us in the know on emerging channels and ahead of media trends. I also have to admit that I watch a lot of TV – in the name of research of course!
- What’s your biggest career achievement? Staying in constant growth mode. It’s rewarding to have been on so many sides of the industry during my career, contributing to all size projects in numerous roles and partnering with clients in every vertical.
- Tell us about a project that you are proud of: One project that stands out for me is the Arkansas Vaccination PSA we worked on during the pandemic. It was a complex, high-impact, high-visibility campaign with a large-scale integrated media plan that reached a broad and diverse audience across the state. It was rewarding to be part of something so timely and meaningful, especially knowing it played a role in public health awareness.
- What’s the most exciting trend in media right now? The most exciting trend in media right now is the growing integration with streaming networks. This “new” landscape is creating exciting new opportunities to engage target audiences and sharpen your strategy when planning media buys. It’s also a great way to amplify the content from your satellite media tour programs.
- Favorite Quote: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Steve Jobs
Whether she’s researching new media opportunities, fine-tuning a client campaign, or drawing inspiration from a late-night TV binge, Shari approaches every project with energy, precision, and heart. Her collaborative spirit and deep industry knowledge make her an invaluable part of the Bridgenext team. We’re lucky to work alongside someone who not only loves what she does—but makes everyone around her better at what they do too. Stay tuned for more Meet the Team features as we celebrate the incredible individuals who make our PR strategies and delivery successful.
