Sara Benkirane has joined the ADvendio team as an Account Executive, covering primarily the UK market and supporting the French and Iberian markets. We are delighted to welcome Sara to the team. Her extensive experience working in beauty tech, strategic consulting, and most recently tech sales for a data protection tech firm will make her a massive asset to ADvendio, and we look forward to utilizing her expertise to further ADvendio’s expansion.
We caught up with Sara to learn more about her background and experience, and what she is looking forward to in her new role.
1. Tell us about your background.
“Where are you from?” an easy question for most, a slightly harder one for me. I was born in Morocco, moved with my family to Spain, after which I spent four years in Scotland, a year in Madrid and another in Paris, then settled in London where I currently live. I am a blend of British, Italian, Moroccan, Canadian and German heritage.
Unsurprisingly, my multicultural background and languages have shaped my global perspective, allowing me to connect seamlessly with diverse people – a skill that comes in handy in sales. I have a Master’s in International Relations with a specialisation in Chinese foreign policy from the University of St Andrews in Scotland, as well as a Master’s in Management with a specialisation in Digital Transformation from IE Business School in Madrid, Spain.
My professional journey has taken me from working for the tech department of the beauty-tech group L’Oréal in Paris, at a time when they were entering the Metaverse space, to strategic consulting in London and, more recently, to working in sales for a data protection tech firm now part of Salesforce.
I’m very excited to have joined ADvendio and the adtech space at an exciting time in the company’s strategic growth plan. I now look forward to developing my understanding of the media industry whilst expanding our presence in the UK market, France, and Iberia.
2. What’s your job title, and what are the regions you’re focused on?
I’m an Account Executive reporting to the Head of Sales, Angus Dowie. I’ll be primarily responsible for the UK market. I will also support France and Iberia to heighten ADvendio’s presence in these markets.
3. What led you to a career in sales, and what do you enjoy most about working in sales?
Having thoroughly enjoyed my Digital Transformation specialisation at Business School, I knew I wanted to work in the innovative, digital tech space. I started off working in the tech department of the L’Oreal Group in digital communications, and I then moved into strategic consulting working for a Consulting firm in London. There, I discovered my aptitude for client engagement and winning prospective projects. However, I missed the innovative tech side I was once immersed in at L’Oréal. Recognizing tech sales as the perfect blend, I transitioned into the field and quickly found it to be the right fit. What I enjoy most about sales is connecting with diverse individuals, grasping their core business needs, solving the client’s unique business challenges, and boosting operational efficiency. Ultimately, transforming a simple conversation into a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership is truly rewarding.
4. How has your previous experience prepared you for your role with ADvendio?
My background selling across different markets and various industries, including media, has given me a strong foundation in understanding and solving diverse clients’ tech needs. Having previously worked in business development and sales within the Salesforce ecosystem, I’ve gained valuable insights into various clients’ needs. This direct exposure, combined with my experience working with a wide array of customers and prospects, has honed my ability to build strong relationships, offering value-based, tailored solutions, whilst maximising conversions at every stage of the sales cycle. As ADvendio also operates within the Salesforce ecosystem, this familiarity, coupled with my broader sales acumen, positions me well to drive ADvendio’s expansion into the UK market and foster its continued growth.
5. What expectations do you have for this new role in ADvendio?
I’m particularly excited about the opportunity to expand ADvendio’s footprint within the UK market. I look forward to working closely with and gaining insights from the talented and established team here. In addition, I’m eager to deepen my understanding of the ad tech landscape, forging strong relationships both internally and with our clients. Overall, I aim to contribute to ADvendio’s continued growth, which is vital in achieving our strategic objectives.
6. Is there anything else you would like to add?
I love spending time with family and friends, travelling, discovering new cultures and cuisines, as well as spending time in nature, hiking or cycling.
I’m a strong believer in the power of positive thinking and believe that with the right mindset, motivation, and grit, the seemingly impossible is achievable!
I currently live in London, so if you’re ever around, I’d love to meet up 🙂
