About
This site is dedicated to all things new, from the drool-worthy to the duds to the downright drek.
A recent interviewer said: Who is Sarah Browne? Three words: funny, smart, cutting-edge. She’s a “Social Media Research Revolution” leader, a captivating story-teller and a fearless explorer.
Believe me, you want to know what she’s up to.
Sarah Browne — the Guru of New – is a social marketing strategist, award-winning writer, market researcher and often-quoted expert on branding, new products, innovation and technology. A veteran of countless product launches, including many first-to-market brands, technologies and categories, she’s brought her consumer insights expertise to companies from global giants (Microsoft, Yahoo!, Gillette, Pepsi, eTrade) to start-ups and small businesses.
After successful stints as an award-winning copywriter and brand strategist at world-class ad agencies such as Ogilvy, the Guru (then known merely as the humble Cheesehead Sarah Browne) was selected as one of the first Partners in America Online’s Greenhouse, the famed incubator that spawned a dozen pioneering sites during the dinosaur days of the web. As Founder and CEO of content studio World Pulse, she conceptualized and built some of the most interactive sites online, many of which were trailblazers in what is today’s biggest buzz: ‘Community’, ‘User Generated Content’ and ‘Social Media.’
“I used to think that market researchers were clipboard-toting folks who were all about numbers. That was before I met Sarah Browne. But then again, Sarah is only one part researcher. The rest of her is a remarkably rich combination that uncovers customer desires, grasps new technologies, generates brilliant business ideas, writes compelling copy, and so much more. Her skillset is so unique, and so vast, that I find it hard to categorize her. So I don’t. I just recommend her, over and over.”
“All those product ideas, all that writing and brand strategy . . . I was so excited that I felt like it was Christmas morning. After years of working in the development of these brands, you really helped us turn “the” corner in terms of brand clarity and direction. I want to thank you personally for your huge contribution to the team, and to your effort, I have very much enjoyed working with you and hope to continue what I think is a very fulfilling, collaborative, relationship.”
She has been a speaker for organizations from Girls in Tech to Ladies Who Launch and NAWBO; writer for publications like MediaPost Quirks and Brandweek; and volunteer instructor/mentor for entrepreneurial organizations like CEOWomen and ASTIA. Corporate giants, ad agencies, start-ups and creative boutiques have relied on her copywriting, Lab360 product-focused brainstorming and innovative idea/concept generation talents.
OMG, a THOUSAND thank you’s to you!! What an awesome, on point, funny and authentic speaker you are. I LOVED it. More importantly, the attendees loved it, and they clearly swarmed you after the event.
She is also a primo Name Generator, having divined more names than she can count— everything from nail polishes to shampoos, wines, soft drinks, soup, strange little cans of so-called meat, software, websites, razors, liqueurs, books, drugs galore and many more she won’t own up to, including the project code-named Vaginas R Us. Her all-time favorite name is a snack bar for kids made with a full glass of milk, which she named Moooligans.
“You have elevated to Goddess stature after today’s workshop. Absolutely hit a home run. Goddess…. Goddess…..goddess!” VP, Yahoo!
“As usual, your ideas always come to the top—so many will be used, so many tested beyond expectations, in a tough category…. you’re definitely my favorite brain.” Project Director
“WOW, great, great work on the report!” Research Manager, Microsoft.
The Guru has received a variety of honors and awards. In 1996, Sarah was honored at The Smithsonian as Woman of the Future. She has also received a Seth Godin Purple Cow for innovation; and has a gorgeous glass thingamajig given to her by Yahoo! for her presentation at their Global Summit in 2006. She has also been honored by The Maui Writers Conference for her fiction.
Stay tuned for her upcoming series of “How Not To Be An E-Hole” books, launching Spring 2011.
“Just wanted to let you know that I loved what you created that day, it was enriching, bonding, great thinking – and you are the best of the best of leaders and facilitators that I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Just wanted to clarify that it was a wonderful, extraordinary day!” CEO, Boutique Ad Agency
Although she lives in Sausalito, California with her adorably crazy mutt, Sarah remains a diehard Cheesehead who serves a mean bratwurst during Packers games. Sarah majored in Journalism with a minor in Psychology at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
“Sarah…u are worth your weight in rubies. Very timely and thanks for the ammo. I am going to use this and your final report to make bold recommendations and request the blessing to effect radical change. Many thanks.” Sr. Director, Yahoo!
Click here to schedule a Consultation with The Guru of New.
