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Senior Director, Global Digital CX Strategy

Marketing & Sales

As a creative strategist with extensive digital chops, I carry over a decade of expertise in architecting global, integrated solutions and campaigns that serve the intersection of marketing and customer experience (CX). These initiatives are crafted to resonate and inspire action, be it through engagement, purchase, loyalty, advocacy, or ideally, all of the above.

I am also the author of two fiction novels, both published by Simon & Schuster, and have contributed essays, short fiction, and feature articles for several anthologies and media sites. I've served as an instructor for Mediabistro and Gotham Writers, and participated in several storytelling series including Mortified and Back Fence PDX.

Born in Chicago, I was raised in the suburbs of Detroit, spent time in DC and NYC, but now (once again) call beautiful Portland, Oregon home, where I am the proud dog mom of my rescue pup, Gilda Radner. 

Develop, lead, and execute global digital customer experience (CX) strategies for clients across multiple verticals, including technology, consumer retail, telecommunications, financial services,  and more. Highlights:
-	Architect and creator of digital CX solutions for client business objectives, including consumer brand engagement, advocacy, support, and content, across social media, messaging, forums, consumer review sites, apps, and more.
-	Defining and optimizing consumer insights supported with both qualitative and quantitative analytics; creating and cascading key GTM messaging through RFPs, presentations, collateral, conferences, and more; ongoing collaboration with global functional leaders (Business Development / Sales, Marketing, Operations).
-	Ambassador for digital innovation, transformation, and partnership initiatives, including conceptualizing and instituting digital Centers of Excellence (COEs), SaaS platform partnerships, and integration of AI and bot-related technologies.

Created and produced strategies to deepen brand awareness, foster advocacy, and inspire action through digital experiences. Global and national clients included Nike, Starbucks, REI, Nestlé, HTC, and Microsoft. Highlights:
-	Social media strategy and editorial content; community management and user engagement activations; influencer outreach; user generated content; paid, earned, and owned media initiatives; website e-commerce UX and social sharing integration; analysis, measurement and optimization. 
-	Department management (15 direct reports); daily collaboration with internal teams (Creative, Development, Analytics), external clients, and partner agencies (Wieden + Kennedy, R/GA, AKQA, Team Epiphany); budget management; senior leadership team for new business presentations.


Director of Social Media Strategy

Marketing lead for Animal Planet on-air and online programming. Highlights:
-	Crafted and presented marketing briefs to inform strategic campaign direction; oversaw development of on-air, print, OOH, online initiatives; managed all e-newsletter and e-mail campaigns (design, content, A/B testing, ongoing analysis and performance reports); produced annual awards submissions (ProMAX/BDA, Emmys, ADDYs); facilitated focus groups and live events.
-	Daily collaboration with internal divisions (Design, PR, Ad Sales), along with external vendors such as branding agencies and email marketing firms.

Marketing Strategist

Developed online brand marketing strategies for clients such as NBC, FX, Bravo, Sony, Levi's, Dodge, Audi, and Motorola. Highlights:
-	Executed digital brand promotion campaigns, as well as brand protection in crisis communication scenarios; provided business intelligence for clients regarding the climate of online brand perceptions; wrote, edited, and oversaw all campaign reports; developed influencer programs.
-	Served as lead presenter on client reports and internal briefings; managed five to nine team members per project.

Brand Manager

Created and implemented marketing campaigns for graphic novel publisher of Star Wars, Sin City, 300, Hellboy, Aliens, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and other titles. 
-	Led team of five direct reports, plus daily collaboration with internal teams (Editorial, Sales, Product Development, Design) along with external partners (Disney/Pixar, Lucasfilm Ltd., 20th Century Fox).


Marketing Director

Find out detailed information about Sarah Grace McCandless, Senior Director, Global Digital CX Strategy in Portland, OR

Sarah Grace McCandless: Senior Director, Global Digital CX Strategy in Portland, OR

Sarah Grace McCandless

Michigan State University