Jay Sampson

Jay Sampson, a lecturer in the University of Arizona’s College of Information Science, brings unparalleled expertise to the classroom, reflecting on decades of transformative growth in the digital media industry. With 20+ years of high-tech leadership, Sampson’s career spans roles as a corporate executive at tech giants like Microsoft Corporation and Adobe, as well as pivotal contributions to dynamic startups including Magnite and Machinima. 

Recently, he added the role of Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of the Zaaz Collective, a Seattle-based startup that provides audience-based insights to fuel the Creator economy, to his already impressive resume.

An alumnus of the University of Arizona, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in media arts, Sampson has come full circle—returning to his alma mater as a visiting lecturer to enrich the next generation of innovators. In his role as Senior Lecturer within the College of Information Science, Jay helps integrate cutting-edge practices into academic and research programs. His ongoing work with startups, including his new venture with the Zaaz Collective, directly informs his academic contributions, providing students with real-time insights into the evolving tech landscape.

With his blend of industry acumen and a passion for education, Sampson exemplifies Info Sci’s mission to bridge technology and human creativity, preparing students for impactful careers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital media and technology.

• Lecturer of Digital Media: Impact and Innovations at the College of Information Science since 2021.
• Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer, Zaaz Collective.
• Former project manager at University’s Lundgren Consumer Science Lab
• Former global executive at Microsoft Corporation and Adobe, Inc.