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Sarah Sutton
Global media director at Oatly
Professional Background
Sarah Sutton is a highly accomplished advertising and media professional, boasting over 20 years of experience in Brand and Communications Strategy, Media Planning, and Client Leadership. Throughout her impressive career, she has collaborated with some of the world's leading brands, including Nike, Unilever, Marks & Spencer, Warburtons, Volvo, Mazda, PepsiCo, and Diageo, among others. Sarah has developed a reputation for being hands-on and maintaining her strategic craft skills by actively engaging with key clients while also mentoring a talented Strategy team.
Sarah’s vision for her strategy team is to eliminate the boundaries that separate brand planning from communications strategy, ensuring the best possible foundations are provided for creative executions. This approach allows her team to craft compelling and innovative ideas that effectively address her clients' business challenges. Sarah’s commitment to creating impactful solutions has made her a respected figure in the advertising industry.
In her current role as the Global Media Director at Oatly, Sarah leverages her extensive experience to drive the brand’s growth through strategic media initiatives. Her previous experience as Director of Strategy and Director of Communications Strategy at 72andSunny has further honed her skills in building integrated communication strategies that resonate with audiences.
Education and Achievements
Sarah Sutton holds a BA (Hons) 2:1 in Business & Marketing from the University of Greenwich. This academic foundation has been instrumental in shaping her understanding of market dynamics and consumer behavior, enabling her to excel in her career.
Her early career began as a Media Planner at RAB followed by positions such as Planning & Insight at Viacom Outdoor and Comms Planning Manager at Carat. Sarah then spent over a decade at Mindshare, where she held various key roles, including Managing Partner, Global Strategy Director, and Joint Head of Strategy. She played a pivotal role in leading the Media Planning and Buying team for Nike EMEA, where her insights and strategic vision directly contributed to the brand's success.
Throughout her illustrious career, Sarah has consistently demonstrated her ability to lead teams and projects that contribute significantly to her clients' success. Her previous roles at Mindshare allowed her to shape the strategy for numerous high-profile clients, continually pushing the envelope in creative and innovative media solutions.
Sarah is also deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within the creative industries. She recognizes the importance of representation and believes that diverse perspectives enhance workplace culture and fuel creativity. By actively challenging herself and her employers to seek out, recruit, and nurture a broad spectrum of talent, Sarah is working diligently to reshape the landscape of the advertising world.
Achievements
- Leadership in Major Campaigns: Sarah has led numerous successful campaigns for recognized global brands, effectively blending strategic thinking with creative execution.
- Diversity Advocate: Beyond her professional achievements, Sarah is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace, striving to create opportunities for underrepresented talent in the creative industries.
- Strategic Visionary: Her vision of blurring the lines between brand planning and communication strategy has allowed her teams to deliver innovative solutions that truly resonate with target audiences.
- Mentorship & Team Building: As a manager, Sarah is dedicated to nurturing emerging talent within her teams, equipping them with the skills necessary for success in today's dynamic advertising landscape. Her hands-on approach ensures that her teams are well-prepared and motivated to tackle complex challenges.
tags':['advertising','media professional','brand strategy','communications strategy','media planning','client leadership','Nike','Unilever','diversity and inclusion','Oatly','72andSunny','Mindshare','University of Greenwich','business and marketing','creative solutions','talent nurturing'],