Technical Architect
VML – Washington
Iulius Filip has provided stellar service to Washington’s Lottery throughout his tenure with the advertising agency, and this year was no exception. In September 2023, the Lottery kicked off a project to update its mobile application and loyalty program and transfer them to a different vendor. The project had a very tight timeline, with a go-live date in March 2024.
Iulius was pulled into the project about midway through to help with backend interaction with the website and API. He immediately jumped in and identified areas to improve efficiencies that would benefit players. Iulius kept the interests of the Lottery and the players at the forefront and was always forthcoming with innovative ideas to ensure the new app would be the representation of the Lottery’s brand. For example, Iulius provided the idea to transition on the backend through the app store where the players would get pushed an update, rather than download a new application. He was able to work with all respective parties to break down the concept and steps. As a result, the Lottery was able to reduce the amount of time the app functionality was shut down, from two weeks to one week. The transition would not require most players to take any action to get the new app, and it was much easier to communicate. This quickly built trust with the Lottery vendors and team, making him an integral and valued member of the project.
With a compressed testing schedule, Iulius offered a methodology for dividing up the testing to ensure the ability to test all aspects utilizing multiple devices. The methodology was incredibly efficient and will be incorporated into future projects. Not only that, but the team unanimously loved the approach!
Iulius was meticulous in testing and very communicative with the results. He made himself available for last minute meetings and even overnight shifts for go-live. His customer focus, innovation, and collaboration are a shining example of dedication and excellence.