Loïc Blanchard

AI-Driven Growth & Performance Leader across 100+ Markets | Ex-Apple | SaaS Founder.

Aix-en-Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

About

I build growth engines that connect investment to revenue at scale, and the teams that sustain them. Currently leading global demand generation for a multi-billion-dollar group across 100+ countries, owning a 9-figure annual media investment. Double-digit YoY lead growth, significant cost-per-acquisition reduction, and lifetime returns well above industry benchmarks. Previously Head of Sales at Apple (7 years, graduate program to 65-person org in Switzerland). Founded an HR SaaS (GTM, fundraising, early revenue). Built Les Frappés, France's #1 outdoor podcast: 1M+ downloads, Top 1% globally on Spotify, Apple Best Podcasts 2023. ICF-certified coach. Judo black belt and ultra-endurance athlete. Bilingual French/English. Based in the south of France, working globally.

Experience

  • International Workplace Group plc (Remote)
    • Head of Performance Marketing - Paid Search & AI
      Mar 2025 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos

      - Leading the global paid search and display engine for a multi-billion-dollar group across 100+ countries, managing a 20-person hybrid team (internal + agency) and strategic partnerships with Google and Microsoft. - Launched the group's first paid placements on generative-AI answer engines, going live on ChatGPT and Brave among the earliest advertisers on either platform, and securing a foothold on the surfaces set to reshape search. - Delivered double-digit YoY lead growth while significantly reducing cost per acquisition. Lifetime return on ad spend well above industry benchmarks, driving hundreds of millions in attributable revenue. - Shifted the group to a demand-led investment model within 4 months of joining, dynamically aligning media spend with real-time market signals and downstream performance. - Pioneering AI-driven search capabilities (Performance Max, AI Max, Broad Match at scale) as a global innovation partner to Google and Microsoft. - Advising on talent management and team design for the Digital function, drawing on frameworks developed during 7 years at Apple.

    • Head of Digital Performance
      Nov 2024 - Feb 2025 · 4 mos

      - Joined to conduct a group-wide audit of digital performance across Paid Search, Paid Social, and Display in a complex multi-brand, multi-market environment. - Identified significant inefficiencies in cross-channel budget allocation, reducing cannibalization and unlocking immediate ROI improvement opportunities. - Delivered executive-level recommendations on attribution, targeting, and lead-quality governance that shaped the strategic roadmap for the group's demand generation transformation.

  • Founder at Les Frappés
    Aug 2020 - Present · 5 yrs 11 mos

    - Founded and scaled France's #1 outdoor podcast from zero: defining brand positioning, editorial strategy, content production, and distribution across all major platforms. - Released 300+ episodes. 1M+ downloads. #1 in category in France, Top 5 sports podcasts nationally, Top 1% globally on Spotify. Named in Apple's "Best Podcasts of the Year" 2023. - Built and monetized a highly engaged community, securing brand partnerships with the French Army, French Navy, MACIF, CimAlp, ilek, and Feed. What this demonstrates beyond content: organic audience building from zero, brand strategy, partnership development, and sustained execution over 5+ years, the same growth fundamentals I apply to paid channels at scale.

  • Co-Founder at Papirus
    Nov 2021 - Jun 2023 · 1 yr 8 mos

    - Co-founded an HR SaaS from concept to market. Owned the full go-to-market engine: positioning, customer research, acquisition, conversion, onboarding, and retention. - Generated €80K revenue within 6 months of beta launch. Onboarded 3,200 users in France and built recurring revenue streams through automated sales and marketing workflows. - Raised €100K in seed funding: led investor outreach, financial modeling, pitch development, and due diligence. - Represented the company at FrenchTech and BPI industry events. Secured media coverage across TV, radio, and podcasts. - Made the strategic decision to close when product-market fit wasn't reached, a formative experience in entrepreneurial discipline and resource allocation.

  • Apple (7 yrs 2 mos)
    • Head of Sales
      Mar 2019 - Oct 2021 · 2 yrs 8 mos

      - Owned a €25M revenue business unit across B2B and B2C in Switzerland. Led a 65-person organization including 5 managers and 10 assistant managers, delivering +12% annual growth. - Defined and executed go-to-market strategy. Established EMEA-level performance governance, KPIs, and operating rhythms for internal teams and ecosystem partners (integrators, distributors). - Produced executive dashboards and strategic action plans in partnership with London-based EMEA leadership. - Scaled leadership capability across the DACH region: strengthened succession planning, talent development, and long-term team performance.

    • Senior Manager
      Aug 2017 - Mar 2019 · 1 yr 8 mos

      - Led one of EMEA's largest Apple B2B teams: 12 people generating €15M+ in annual revenue across enterprise and SMB segments. - Built pipeline visibility and tracking frameworks. Established cross-functional partnerships with Retail teams to drive consistent B2B conversion within the Apple Store environment. - Designed and delivered training programs that became repeatable growth standards across Apple Stores in France and Switzerland. - Developed talent roadmaps following a major restructuring of business roles across the region.

    • Manager, Scheduling Operations
      Jun 2016 - Aug 2017 · 1 yr 3 mos

      - Managed operational planning for Apple's 5th largest flagship store globally: $150M revenue, 15,000 daily customers, 350 employees. - Developed data-driven staffing models and scheduling tools that delivered €15M in incremental revenue (+10%) and transformed planning quality from lowest-ranked to 2nd best in Europe. - Designed staffing strategies for major product launches (iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, Mac). - Mentored and trained Retail Scheduling & Operations Managers across EMEA.

  • Change Management Consultant at Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Sep 2013 - Aug 2014 · 1 yr

    - Modernized nuclear waste management procedures at CEA Marcoule to ensure compliance with French and European regulations. - Designed and delivered training programs for 200+ employees. Produced executive-level progress reports and impact analyses for senior stakeholders.