At Cognitiv, no two days are the same—and that’s exactly what Sara Ernst loves about her role. As our February Brains Behind Our Brand spotlight, Sara thrives on the variety, from working closely with clients to collaborating on strategy and innovation with the team. Even as a remote team member in Texas, she’s deeply connected to Cognitiv’s culture, whether she’s on calls, attending company and industry events, or leading in-market initiatives. Get to know Sara, her take on the future of adtech, and how she brings solutions that drive real business outcomes.

Pronouns: She/Her

Role: Senior Sales Director

Team: Sales

Cognitiv Tenure: 2 years 

Inside The Office 

What does a typical day in your role look like?

The best part of my job is that no two days are the same. Some days, I’m out with clients and others, I’m working internally with the team on strategy, product, and everything Cognitiv. I love the variety. Even though I work remotely from Texas, I still feel like a fully integrated part of the team—whether through team calls, hosting in-market events, or attending industry events across our region.

What do you love most about your role?

I love meeting new people. I have conversations with new team members, clients, and prospects all the time, and I genuinely enjoy that. I also love that we engage in high-level discussions about our clients’ marketing challenges. What’s most meaningful to me is working for a company where I can provide solutions that drive real business outcomes. It’s rewarding to know that I can have a true impact on the success of someone else’s business.

What is one innovation in adtech you are most excited about, and why?

I have to highlight Dynamic Intent CTV. I’m excited that we have a product that allows us to understand what someone is doing in real-time and serve them CTV ads accordingly. This helps brands increase their reach more efficiently and connect with consumers on larger screens at the right moment.

What is your favorite buzzword in adtech, and what is one you would love to retire?

Hot take: I’d love to retire all buzzwords. If we all just called things what they actually are, there would be so much less confusion.

Outside The Office 

Is there a quote or piece of advice that has stuck with you throughout your career?

A mentor once told me that anyone who excels in their field—whether in sports, business, or anything else—succeeds because of consistency. In theory, consistency is about being disciplined, determined, and unwavering. But in practice, consistency is really about adaptability. If you don’t have a lot of time, scale it down. If your energy is low, do an easier version. Find ways to show up, even if it looks different each day. Let your habits evolve to meet the demands of the moment. Adaptability is just another form of consistency. This resonates with me because we’re all human—we have lives outside of work. Some days, it’s hard to be at our absolute best, but by staying adaptable, we can keep making progress.

If you could switch roles with someone at Cognitiv for a day, who would it be and why?

I’d love to switch roles with someone in Product—maybe Mukul? It would be fascinating to see how ideas for new products take shape, how we decide which ones to develop, and how we bring those visions to life.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I love being a mom and spending time with my family. We travel as much as possible—we just got back from Maui, and we love Hawaii. We’ve been lucky enough to explore different parts of the world, and once my kids are a little older (and everyone can use the bathroom independently!), we plan to take more international trips. I also love skiing and running when I have the time!

What's a skill or hobby you've learned recently?

I’m attempting to learn golf. It’s definitely a work in progress, but I’m finally making contact with both the club and the ball! This feels like a lifelong hobby—one I’ll be working on for years to come.

Rapid-Fire Questions

1. Coffee or tea? Coffee, black.
2. Morning person or night owl? Morning person.
3. Favorite vacation spot? Alaska.
4. Favorite book or movie? I can’t pick just one, but I’m currently reading "Onyx Storm" from the "Fourth Wing" series.

Team Shoutouts 

"In our time together at Cognitiv, not a day has gone by that Sara does not make me proud to be her manager. She consistently achieves her revenue goals by finding new innovative ways to engage with clients and never leaving a stone unturned. Sara is genuinely one of the hardest workers I’ve come across in my career, she goes above and beyond on a daily basis, is someone who truly has a passion for what she does, and on top of it all is a kind and honest human being who cares, champions, and encourages both her clients and her colleagues surrounding her. She’s a leader for our team and for the company and her growth knows no bounds. She’s as great as they come and we are very lucky to have her as part of the Cognitiv organization!”- Amy Hudec, RVP, Sales, Central

“Sara possesses a remarkable ability to demonstrate her profound expertise in Cognitiv in any scenario, effortlessly adapting her vast knowledge to meet the unique needs of clients across every industry. Her flexibility and creativity shine through as she consistently crafts innovative solutions that are tailored to perfection, ensuring success for our partners every time. I, along with many others, consider myself incredibly fortunate to work alongside Sara and to have the privilege of learning from her every day.” - Margaret Williamson, Account Executive

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