Ian Cairns
About Ian Cairns
Ian Cairns is the CEO and Co-Founder of Freeplay, a position he has held since 2022. Previously, he served in various roles at Twitter and other companies, accumulating extensive experience in product management and design.
Current Role at Freeplay
Ian Cairns serves as the CEO and Co-Founder of Freeplay, a position he has held since 2022. He operates from Boulder, Colorado, where he leads the company's strategic direction and oversees its operations. Under his leadership, Freeplay focuses on innovative solutions within its industry, leveraging his extensive experience in product management and design.
Previous Experience at Twitter
Before joining Freeplay, Ian Cairns held multiple roles at Twitter. He was the Director of Product for the Developer Platform from 2019 to 2021, where he managed product strategy and development. Prior to that, he served as a Senior/Group Product Manager from 2015 to 2019, focusing on enhancing user engagement and product functionality. His tenure at Twitter began with a role as Product Manager/Data Strategy Lead from 2014 to 2015, and he also worked as a Product Manager at Gnip, which was acquired by Twitter, from 2012 to 2014.
Experience at Firstbase
Ian Cairns worked as the VP of Product & Design at Firstbase from 2021 to 2022. In this remote role, he was responsible for leading product development initiatives and design strategies. His experience at Firstbase contributed to his expertise in managing product lifecycles and enhancing user experience.
Educational Background
Ian Cairns studied at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English Literature. He also attended the University of Oxford, completing a Summer Programme in English Literature. His educational background has provided him with strong analytical and communication skills, which he applies in his professional roles.
Early Career at Development Seed
Before his roles in product management, Ian Cairns worked as a Project Manager at Development Seed from 2006 to 2011. During this five-year period in the Washington D.C. Metro Area, he managed various projects, developing skills in team coordination and project execution that would later benefit his career in product management.