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Porter Novelli, the strategic communications company built to Do Business Better, has announced the appointment of Sarah DaVanzo to chief innovation officer, head of strategic services and foresight. This newly created global position reports to global CEO Jillian Janaczek and will be based in Porter Novelli’s New York City headquarters. 

In this role, Sarah will drive digital transformation through innovation initiatives – including AI, data analytics, insights and foresight – to secure competitive advantages for Porter Novelli’s clients. She will lead the agency’s global strategic services engine across data + analytics and strategy + insights, as well as digital + innovation, influencer, and paid + platforms.  

“As a recognised techno-futurist and AI innovator in marketing, Sarah adds an unrivalled dimension to our data-led, digital-first approach,” said Jillian. “We are doubling down on emerging technologies at the core  of innovation and quantitative strategic foresight to deliver unparalleled counsel and results. I am thrilled for Sarah to join us during this next evolution of Porter Novelli.” 

Sarah brings to Porter Novelli experience in product, service, process, retail, brand, portfolio, business model, digital, technology, AI and marketing innovation, along with 20 years of strategic foresight leadership on both the client and agency sides of the business. She was most recently chief consumer engagement and activation officer (CXO) and chief data officer at Pierre Fabre Group, responsible for AI, analytics, insights, foresight and marketing services innovation and execution. Prior, she was VP, consumer and market insights and foresight (research and innovation) at L’Oréal. Sarah is a Rolling Stone Culture Council journalist who contributes thought-leadership on innovation and the future. 

“It is an exhilarating opportunity to advance Porter Novelli’s digital transformation work with techno futurism, AI-powered innovation, and the application of ‘curiosity science’ and ‘exotic data’,” said Sarah. “Industry 5.0 presents new rules of engagement, new sources of data and insight, and new tools for marketing communications – and we intend to trailblaze.”  

Sarah will serve on the company’s global operating committee.