Beyond the Desk: Sarah Kessler, Associate Director of Planning

Welcome to Beyond the Desk by dentsu X, a series designed to dive deeper into the people, passions, and talents that make the agency so special. 

In August’s edition, we hear from Sarah Kessler, an associate director of planning at dentsu X US. Read on for Sarah’s insights on the value of being nimble and her ‘all hands on deck’ mentality. 

Q> What is one skill they do not teach in school that you use every day? 

Sarah> The ability to be nimble and think on your toes. When things move fast, it can be overwhelming, but after being a planner for many years, I now understand that there is always a way to figure things out. I teach my direct reports to work smarter, not harder, and welcome challenges with open arms. 

Q> How would you describe your job to a child? 

Sarah> I work for a media agency that has relationships with brands, and in my case that brand is Jaguar Land Rover. We work directly with the brand to align on marketing goals, and then we invest money into different forms of media to reach those goals. 

Q> Tell us about an accomplishment you’re most proud of during your time at dentsu X? 

Sarah> I have been assisting in some new business projects and working directly on pitches. In April, I was pulled in to work on the Heineken pitch. I got to be in the presentation, which was a first for me, and we ended up winning that business. 

Q> Is there an early working experience or somebody you met that shaped/exposed you to your current career path? 

Sarah> Of course, there have been many people along the way, but I can think of a specific moment when things clicked. It was during my early days working at dentsu, and I was assisting in the launch of a high-profile content program. Digital media still felt like a foreign language. I attended the New Yorker Festival event in NYC and as soon as I saw the vehicle displays in person, I immediately understood how all the combined efforts were making the media program possible.  

Q> What makes the company culture at dentsu X unique? 

Sarah> The people. Many may say this, but I truly believe it is the best answer. A good number of people on my team have been on the Jaguar Land Rover account since 2018, but since the pandemic, the team has gotten a lot closer. No task is too big for an associate or too small for a VP. The attitude is always “all hands-on deck” to help each other and deliver excellent work to our clients.  

Q> “The dentsu X experience is powered by ______ ?” 

Sarah> The people. I always say to my bosses that I have no interest in doing my job as a media planner anywhere else. The dentsu experience is truly unique, and it is because of the people that make this job so special.  

We are a team of Thinkers, Makers and Doers – committed to defying convention and creating unparalleled experiences for brands. Interested in learning more? Check out the denstu X LinkedIn page here.