Publicis Sapient
2026 Global Winner | Maximizing Impact
Industry
Consulting Services
Company HQ
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Number of Employees
5,000+
Office Locations
Americas, EMEA, and APAC
How Publicis Sapient built a delivery leadership engine with Udemy
Business outcomes
€2 million
Additional client scope from a capstone project
+82
NPS, 12 points above world-class benchmark
75%+
Fellows graduates named to delivery owner roles
Challenge
Building delivery leadership capability at scale
Publicis Sapient is a global professional services and technology company that helps organizations create competitive advantage through elevated experiences and modernized operations. Blending consulting, data, and technology, the firm partners with clients to navigate digital transformation and deliver meaningful business outcomes. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Publicis Sapient operates across the Americas as well as Europe, Middle East, and Africa, and Asia-Pacific, guided by its purpose: “to help people thrive in the brave pursuit of next.”
Before launching the Vantage Ecosystem, a multi-tier delivery excellence that connects every learning module directly to a business outcome, Publicis Sapient lacked a structured, scalable approach to developing delivery leaders at the account delivery owner (ADO) level. Development was informal, regionally inconsistent, and not purpose-built for the demands of the role.
The firm had piloted earlier cohort programs in 2022 and 2024, but had not achieved a design capable of global replication with consistently high outcomes, and had no integrated mechanism for connecting learning to measurable business results.
The firm needed a program that would equip delivery leaders to win client engagements, retain and grow accounts, lead high-performing teams, and drive profitable delivery.
“Before Vantage, we had no consistent way to develop delivery leaders at scale, and no mechanism to connect that development to business outcomes. With Udemy as our learning platform, we built a program designed to do both,” said Michaela D’Ambrosio, Learning Strategist.
“Before Vantage, we had no consistent way to develop delivery leaders at scale, and no mechanism to connect that development to business outcomes. With Udemy as our learning platform, we built a program designed to do both.”
Solution
A three-tier ecosystem built for business outcomes
The Vantage Ecosystem spans the full delivery hierarchy through three interconnected tiers, each designed around a single principle: that every module and application activity connects directly to a business outcome. Vantage Pathfinders targets senior managers, with approximately 75 to 100 participants planned for 2026. Vantage Vanguards develops ADOs through a five-month program of four sprints: Develop Strategic and Advisory Leadership, Achieve Delivery Excellence at Scale, Drive and Realize Business Growth, and Project Preparation. Vantage Fellows prepares vice president-level delivery leaders, with 10 participants in its first cohort.
The program is measured using the four-level Kirkpatrick Model for evaluating training effectiveness, powered by Udemy’s High Impact Learning Analytics (HILA) dashboard, which captures net promoter score (NPS), advocacy, engagement, understanding, and commitment scores in real time.
Three principles hold the ecosystem together — and each one pulls learning toward the business.
• Content alignment: each sprint maps directly to the core competencies that determine whether a delivery leader succeeds or struggles
• Application alignment: participants apply frameworks, tools, and strategies to their live client accounts rather than complete generic assignments
• Sponsorship alignment: the program is championed by senior executives including the executive vice president and chief product officer, making program priorities business priorities
“Udemy’s analytics dashboard gave us a real-time feedback loop between data and program quality. We could identify specific areas for content refinement and see the results in the next cohort’s metrics,” D’Ambrosio said.
“Udemy’s analytics dashboard gave us a real-time feedback loop between data and program quality. We could identify specific areas for content refinement and see the results in the next cohort’s metrics.”
Results
From learning to €2 million in additional client scope
Between the North America and International cohorts, completion rates improved from 77% to 89%, advocacy scores rose from 69 to 80, and NPS increased from +48 to +82, 12 points above the world-class benchmark of +70. Commitment scores also improved, from 74 to 77.
The business impact has been tangible — and in at least one case, quantifiable down to the euro.
One participant’s capstone project during the International cohort resulted in €2 million in additional scope for a private healthcare client. Vanguards graduates now lead account delivery on key relationships including a major international sports federation, a major stock exchange, and a global telecommunications organization.
Participants don’t wait until program completion to apply what they learn. As one Vanguards participant described: “The Duarte coaching has helped me in framing the key messages to clients in a better way. The first instance I could apply this was when I joined the new client account and applied some learnings to the proposal deck being presented to the client for the new FY.”
The community dimension has been equally powerful. Participants describe their cohorts as a “tribe,” building lasting professional networks that extend well beyond the five-month program.
“The course created a powerful mind-shift and provided access to an inspiring, supportive community,” said one participant. “It challenged my thinking in a meaningful way and connected me with people who are equally committed to growing and applying these practices. This combination made the learning experience highly impactful and immediately valuable in my day-to-day work.”
Another put it simply: “Best professional learning and growth experience ever.”
After completing the program, graduates volunteer to become faculty for Pathfinders, mentoring the next generation of delivery leaders.
“With Udemy, we created a program where learning goes directly from the classroom to the client. Our graduates are winning proposals, growing accounts, and delivering measurable business impact,” D’Ambrosio said.
“With Udemy, we created a program where learning goes directly from the classroom to the client. Our graduates are winning proposals, growing accounts, and delivering measurable business impact.”
Looking Ahead
Scaling the ecosystem
Publicis Sapient is expanding the Vantage Ecosystem with Pathfinders pilot cohorts targeted for 2026 and ongoing Vanguards cohorts planned. The firm continues to use HILA data to refine content and program design iteratively.
“As we scale the Vantage Ecosystem globally, Udemy gives us the analytics and learning infrastructure to keep building leaders who drive business results,” D’Ambrosio said.
As the ecosystem scales, the ambition stays the same: every module a business outcome, every graduate a leader the firm can count on.
“As we scale the Vantage Ecosystem globally, Udemy gives us the analytics and learning infrastructure to keep building leaders who drive business results.”
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