Natalia Perez - JDM Impressions

Working remotely, like we do at JDM, doesn’t mean being disconnected from colleagues. As part of our culture-building initiative, and to introduce the digital marketing world to our awesome team members, we regularly peel back the curtain on the lives of JDMers. This week, we’ll get to know SEO Specialist Natalia Perez!

Name: Natalia Perez

Position: SEO Specialist

Location: Dallas, TX

When did you begin working at JDM?

End of July 2025.

How did you know JDM was the right fit for you?

I knew JDM was the right fit for me after my second interview with (SEO Team Lead) Jhana Guzman-Scholder and (Head of People Ops) Sonja Zierke. They immediately made me feel comfortable, and it was clear that Jhana would be an incredible mentor and leader. By the time I had my final conversation with (CEO) Tyler Jordan, my mind was made up. He described a workplace that truly prioritizes its employees and values work-life balance. It almost sounded too good to be true, but JDM has consistently proven that commitment to be genuine.

What’s your favorite part of the workday?

My favorite part of the workday is any time I get to connect with my teammates. When you’re working remotely, it’s easy for coworkers to feel like strangers behind a screen, but that’s never the case here. The people at JDM are genuinely connected. Everyone brings something valuable to the team, and I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of it.

What’s the most gratifying part of working with your clients?

The most rewarding part of working with clients is seeing your work directly help them achieve their goals and make a real impact on their business.

In a remote company, how do you stay connected with your team?

My team stays connected through Slack channels and team video calls. I also love how weekly fun questions and casual 1:1s let me build relationships and stay engaged with the team, even from a distance.

What three words would you use to describe the JDM culture?

Collaborative, innovative, and welcoming.

What's something you love about JDM?

I love how everyone at JDM consistently supports one another and celebrates each other’s successes.

What’s the best thing you’ve done with your unlimited PTO? 

Since starting at JDM I’ve been able to visit Boston, Hawaii, and San Diego for our company holiday trip. Soon I’ll be taking a solo trip to Mexico City, which I’m very excited about.

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What's something you love about the marketing industry?

What I love most about marketing is how it’s always evolving. I enjoy finding creative ways to connect with audiences, especially as strategies like SEO and AEO come together to make search experiences smarter and more user-focused.

What do you think has been the most interesting change in the marketing industry or in your channel this year?

One of the most interesting changes I’ve seen this year is how AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and traditional SEO are becoming increasingly integrated. Marketers are going beyond optimization for keywords and rankings and are now also focusing on providing precise answers that AI assistants and search engines can surface directly. I find it fascinating how strategies for content structure, intent, and user experience are now overlapping between SEO and AEO, creating a more holistic approach to search visibility.

What digital marketing platform, technology, or skill do you see gaining the most traction in the next 1-2 years, and why?

I see Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) gaining a lot of traction over the next 1-2 years. As AI-powered search and voice assistants become more common, more users are looking for direct answers rather than just clicking through to websites. Marketers who can optimize content for these answer-driven experiences while integrating traditional SEO will have a major advantage in visibility and engagement.

What are the names and ages of your kids (or furbabies)? (please add pictures)

My pride and joy's name is Checo; he is 4 years old and he is a tripod. He goes everywhere with me and he is my favorite coworker (no offense to my JDM fam).