Sophie Chesters wasn’t always head of marketing for Google Canada. A native of the United Kingdom, she started out in publishing, where she first gained experience with digital communications and online advertising. Soon her focus on digital increased as she began managing websites and brand extensions. It was an eye-opening experience, and it made her realize how important search marketing is. Thus began her journey through the digital-marketing world, eventually landing her at Google Canada in 2012.
While Google is a global organization, with more than 70 offices in more than 40 countries, each country has its own dedicated team to ensure the brand meets the needs of every user in every region. “I care about all Canadians, and I care about all of our products and how we market here,” Chesters says. “I identify ways that we add value to Canadians and how we contribute to the local economy, as well as how we impact the social, economic, and cultural life of Canadians—because all of these things impact how people experience and trust Google.”
That impact has been nothing short of profound. Balancing duties between B2B and B2C, Chesters helps ensure Google Canada’s brand is omnipresent, whether it’s working with larger customers on the B2B side, managing consumer-marketing initiatives, or partnering with small and medium-size agencies to help grow small businesses—a vital component of Canada’s economy. In the first year alone, Google’s partner program helped grow nearly 5,000 small businesses through digital marketing, and it continues to help Google spend more time with customers face to face.