#374: Chris Hemsworth, Big Ideas & Bayut: Sahar Khan on Building an Iconic Brand — Made in Dubai with Spencer Lodge

This week's guest is Sahar Khan, the dynamic Head of Marketing at Bayut. A foundational member of the team, Sahar joined Bayut in 2014 as one of its first sales employees and has been instrumental in building the brand into the UAE's leading property portal. With a innate passion for creative, out-of-the-box marketing since childhood, she has spearheaded some of the company's most iconic campaigns, including the landmark partnership with Chris Hemsworth.

In this episode, Sahar takes us through her incredible journey from a salesperson in a small startup to leading marketing for a household name. She shares invaluable insights on building a brand in a unique market like the UAE, the evolution of her marketing strategies, and the delicate balance between sales and marketing teams. Sahar also opens about her leadership philosophy, the importance of staying true to one's principles, and how maintaining a clear mind through fitness is crucial to her success.

2:41 - Humble Beginnings at Bayut

4:04 - A Marketer from the Start

5:55 - Marketing in the UAE: A Unique Playbook

8:45 - Sales vs. Marketing: The Eternal Friction

11:55 - From Underdog to Market Leader

13:27 – Working with Chris Hemsworth

20:00 - Solving Industry Problems: Content and Verification

30:13 - Live Events vs. Digital Marketing

Measuring the intangible impact of live events like the iconic B3 launch and the clear metrics of digital campaigns.

36:57 – Dubai's booming real estate market

42:51 - Where Big Ideas Come From

52:15 - Giving Back: More Than Money