In Conversation with Sarah Jaxheimer

Tell us about your background: 

I am a New York City-based marketing leader with diverse experience spanning entertainment, consumer goods, and fashion. After graduating from Boston University, I actioned a lifelong pull to the west coast. In Los Angeles, I spent five years immersed in the agency world. At William Morris Endeavor, I learned the power of reputation and relationships, vital in both the agency and broader Hollywood networks. While I loved working with the talent and amassing some epic stories, I decided to return to my marketing roots. At MarketCast, an entertainment marketing research firm, I analyzed consumer data to inform studios’ movie advertising and release strategies. In order to broaden my expertise from recommendation to implementation, I then joined Newmark, a radio endorsement agency. It was invaluable to see the monetary impact of opinion leaders and native advertising. It was also a perfect preface to today’s digital influencer and podcast advertising.

Collectively, WME’s lucrative branding of talent, MarketCast’s influence on box-office results, and Newmark’s word-of-mouth platform furthered my passion for marketing. To accelerate my acumen and pursuits, I returned to Boston to earn my MBA from Northeastern University. As part of that MBA program, I was a six-month full-time intern at Ocean Spray. This was pivotal exposure to CPG brand management, success grounded in integrity, and inspiring leadership. Since graduating, I have been in my NYC hometown and luckily in the right place at the right time to join premier fashion brands. This part of my career is proof that satisfaction can come from a divergent path. I never intended to get into fashion, but always felt the privilege to be a part of it. At each Moncler, Ralph Lauren, and Kate Spade, it was a thrill to leverage iconic brand heritages while driving a lifestyle and innovation.

I cherish my career experiences to date, but it is the people who have meant the most. It was the shared passion, imagination, and camaraderie that made success possible. It is thus who I’ve met, partnered with, been challenged by, and become lifelong friends with that has surpassed anyone achievement. And I love what I do because it is ever-changing. Marketing demands ingenuity and nimbleness. It also celebrates curiosity and, for me, the ultimate goal to bring people joy. I am excited for what is ahead and for all the ways in which – especially at this pivotal time in history – joy can be relevant and realized.

What do you wish you’d known when you started out?

I wish I had known earlier that not everything can be, or is worth, fixing. I’ve always been an optimist and a doer who wants to make everything better. In Hollywood, where the daily grind could operate on fear and bullishness, I burnt out trying to analyze, acquiesce, or assert. It is not a sign of failure, but rather one of independence when you know it is ok to move on!

Best career advice you've ever received?

I’ve always loved “success is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” When pursuing that next career step, and especially amid tough job markets, it is a comfort. At a point, I believe that most everything is about timing.

What leadership qualities are important to you?

As both a colleague and team leader, I value authenticity, purposefulness, communication, and an often-needed sense of humor! At Kate Spade, I was lucky to have Mary Renner Beech as both a CMO and my boss. Mary affirmed leadership at its best – where grace can amplify strength, and humanity can broaden influence.

What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far? 

While timing has been fateful, it has also been a challenge! I finished both undergraduate and graduate school during financial crises, and a job loss during the COVID pandemic has been hard. However, each seeming impasse has led to transformative lessons, chances taken, and lifelong friendships.

And for fun, what is your favorite wardrobe staple?

A cotton chambray shirt! Working at Ralph Lauren introduced me to this wondrous staple – dressed up, dressed down, worn solo – a classic must.

LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahjaxheimer