Agency Spotlight Series: Sarah Darcy
In this Orientation Marketing agency spotlight series, we speak to Sales Operations Executive, Sarah Darcy.
Occasionally, we speak to a member of the Orientation Marketing team to learn more about their roles at Orientation Marketing, as well as what makes them tick.
Today we speak to Sarah.
Tell Us a Little Bit About Your Role At Orientation Marketing.
As the Sales Operations Executive, I am the main point of contact for our clients & partners to help with the organisation of multiple in-person and virtual panel events along with co-ordinating digital advertising. I ensure smooth execution across multiple international campaigns.
What is your favourite part of the working day?
I like catching up with everyone each morning and having that first cup of coffee (and a biscuit or 12!). I worked fully remote in my previous role, so being in an office where conversations flow allows me to learn about the clients and what other people are working on, which is something that I really enjoy. I didn’t realise how much I’d missed it until I started here! We also have a weekly team meeting where existing / upcoming projects are discussed, and any issues and ideas talked through as a group.
How did you come about working in this Industry?
After relocating back up North from Cheltenham, I accepted a role working in publishing and events at Advanstar Communications (eventually becoming MJH Life Sciences). Before I knew it, I’d been fully immersed in all things pharmaceutical / chromatography related and I never looked back. Somehow, that first day turned into 18 years and within that time, I had the pleasure of working with both Chris Lawson and Gareth Pickering in one of their previous roles. I even managed to remember how they take their coffee and tea 10 years later! At MJH, I looked after print and digital ad bookings, making sure they were all positioned and produced correctly. I built strong relationships with clients over the many years and being here at Orientation Marketing, I am able to continue doing that whilst learning a new role within the agency. I do like to send a good email!
Tell us about your best day at the agency so far...
I’d say the best day so far was the day the first virtual event I’d helped put together went live. It was nice to see the end result and how the process all comes together on the day. I now rank ‘Panel Days’ up there with Christmas & Birthday’s excitement level wise!
What inspires you?
Obviously, my children inspire me on a daily basis. To be the best version of myself I can be for them. They’re so young and have so much ahead of them! I also like to learn new things, be that a new skill or a fact or story that I never knew before. My children recently told me that Chester Racecourse is the oldest racecourse in the world that is still in operation. Although I live in Chester and walk past it daily, it’s something I never knew. I’ve stored that little titbit away for future reference as I feel like that will be something I need in a pub quiz at some point!
Recommend a TV series/film you recently watched.
I recently watched both ‘This City is Ours’ and ‘Kin’ . They’re both of a similar theme, organised crime gangs in Dublin and Liverpool. I was so invested that I felt like part of the cast ! Thankfully ‘This City is Ours’ has been renewed for a second series so I should get my ‘Michael’ fix in 2026! It’s also nice to see amazing talent from Liverpool on display and see the city as a backdrop for the story.
What was your favourite band 10 years ago?
It’s still the same band that I love now – my inner nineties teenager can’t quite let go of the Take That dream. I was distraught when they split up the first time and I don’t think I’ll ever forgive Robbie! But thankfully they have reformed, and as an original and now much older groupie, I get to enjoy them all over again. I even walked down the aisle to ‘Greatest Day’… it’s a shame Gary wasn’t waiting at the end for me though!
What skill do you think everyone should learn?
To listen. It sounds so simple but it’s crucial for communication and solving problems. To simply listen to other points of view. But aside from that – to juggle. I mean it’s both a workout and a good icebreaker if needed. Haven’t quite mastered juggling fire yet…. Perhaps for the Christmas party!
Sarah brings to the role significant experience in advertising operations and B2B publishing, with a focus on managing complex production processes for global media organisations. Most recently, she spent 17 years as a Sales Operations Executive at MJH Life Sciences, working across key publications such as LCGC International and Pharmaceutical Technology Europe. Throughout her career, Sarah has led production projects with a focus on building strong client relationships.
For more, find Sarah on LinkedIn.
