In the past year since Sarah Throne was named a Titan 100, she transitioned from chief strategy officer to chief operating officer at Stream Companies. “One standout critical leadership lesson was the paramount importance of fostering a culture of collaboration and empowerment within our organization,” said Throne. “This lesson has been instrumental in driving our success and achieving operational excellence.”
Stream Companies is a full-service, fully integrated, tech-enabled advertising agency. With over 28 years of experience in advertising and digital marketing, Stream Companies uses a data-driven and solutions-oriented approach to deliver retail traffic to businesses across the U.S.
Innovation has been at the forefront of the firm’s success, adapting swiftly to embrace new technologies, including the AI-centric Innovation and Business Intelligence Team, designed to leverage artificial intelligence as a tool and a transformative force within the organization to enhance decision-making processes and accelerate the production of high-quality marketing deliverables.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to staying ahead of the curve, ensuring that we are well-equipped to lead our clients through the complexities of the automotive market with agility, insight, and innovation,” said Throne.
While transitioning into a new role, Throne said that she realized that true success doesn’t solely stem from strategic vision but rather from harnessing the collective efforts and capabilities of the entire team. “By leading by example, actively listening to team insights, and creating an environment where every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute, we’ve seen significant improvements in innovation and overall performance,” she said.
Throne has also focused on mentoring the next generation of titans. She has made it her mission to support multiple individuals at the company who began in entry-level roles and now assume executive positions. One of her key contributions has been organizing and executing transformative projects that span the entire agency, including organizing multiple departments within the agency, focusing on enhanced alignment and focus within teams.
As a leader, Throne said the most important attributes involve having an innovative mindset, strong decision-making skills and prioritizing emotional intelligence. “Innovation is key, especially in today’s competitive environment,” she said. “By embracing new ideas and taking calculated risks, leaders can open up new opportunities to drive the business forward.”
Overcoming a fear of failure is what allows Throne to take risks and drive her willingness to learn and step into new roles. “By overcoming the fear of failure, it helps me make decisions confidently without second-guessing myself, which is crucial in a fast-paced environment.”
