Sam Zhong

About Sam Zhong

I\'m an experienced product, program, and technology leader with over 18 years of experience driving product strategy, innovation, and team leadership. My expertise spans Generative AI, LLMs, and data science, including 12+ years building AI/ML-powered products for digital advertising asset generation and 10+ years managing training data annotation/labeling operations. I have a strong, 15+ year technical foundation in software engineering and system architecture, including enterprise data solutions.My specialties include product management (vision, strategy, and execution), AIGC-powered advertising creative asset generation, AI/ML models, LLMs, and data science. I also have expertise in AI-assisted data annotation and labeling (with human-in-the-loop processes), digital ad (search, native, and retail) relevance and quality measurement, metric definition and measurement, technical and business program management, business intelligence system architecture and development, enterprise data warehousing, and building business and ecosystem strategic partnerships, as well as large scale global outsourcing management.

Experience

1. Principal Pm Manager - Product Management

   Microsoft

   Jun 2006 — Present · Redmond, WA, US

   Spearheaded Microsoft Advertising’s AIGC powered ad creative asset generation space. Defined product vision and architecture, hands-on crafted detailed product manager specifications, and led a cross-functional team of product managers, designers, data scientists, and engineers to deliver multiple v1 AI products. Key among these is Ad Studio, a centralized, comprehensive asset generation platform leveraging AIGC to create diverse ad creatives for all campaign types and demand sources. This innovative platform empowers advertisers with capabilities such as AI-driven image background replacement, realistic video generation, brand kit integration, and template-based display ad creation.• Led Microsoft Advertising\'s ad quality and relevance measurement across diverse platforms (Search, Native, Retail, Multimedia). Spearheaded the development and management of 30+ key performance metrics, driving algorithm relevancy, ad quality, and user experience. Successfully managed a $13M+ annual data labeling budget with 1200 tasks, achieving consistent double-digit cost efficiencies year-over-year. Built and led a high-performing, global team of 1,500+ members, driving the implementation of AI/LLM-based labeling initiatives to enhance efficiency and accuracy. Recognized with Microsoft\'s \"Customer Obsession\" award.

Education

• University of Louisiana Monroe

  MBA, MS in Information System Management

  1992 — 1996

• Renmin University of China

  Bachelor’s Degree, Journalism

Skills

• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Sdlc
• Solution Architecture
• People Management
• Enterprise Software
• Enterprise Architecture
• Online Search Advertsing
• Requirements Analysis
• Cloud Computing
• Software Engineering
• Software Project Management
• Crm
• Online Advertising
• Consulting
• Mobile Applications
• Business Intelligence
• Software Development
• Scrum
• Customer Relationship Management (Crm)
• Mobile Devices
• Process Improvement
• IT Strategy
• Pmp
• Big Data
• Strategic Partnerships
• Leadership
• Saas
• Business Analysis
• Vendor Management
• E-Commerce
• Project Management
• Web Services
• Analytics
• Agile Project Management
• Integration
• Product Management
• .net
• Machine Learning
• Program Management
• Product Development