Sean Upton-McLaughlin
Senior cross-border growth and alignment leader with deep experience inside high-velocity Chinese technology firms.
Scaling Across Borders Without Losing Alignment
Having led global functions inside high-velocity Chinese technology firms, I focus on preventing the alignment gaps and expansion missteps that quietly undermine long-term growth.
Growth rarely fails because of ambition. It fails when internal execution, leadership assumptions, and global operating realities fall out of sync.
What I Work On
I help Western brands, leaders, and innovators solve real challenges with China. My work spans strategy, communications, policy, and cross-border growth. I advise clients on bridging cultural, market, and operational gaps so they can connect with China’s businesses, consumers, and ecosystems with clarity and confidence.
Whether guiding market entry strategy, shaping brand positioning, or helping global teams navigate China-facing communications, my focus is on work that is measurable, accountable, and rooted in real business outcomes.
Alignment Before Scaling
Companies often expand faster than internal alignment can support. I focus on clarifying decision rights, cross-functional coordination, and leadership expectations before growth pressure exposes structural gaps.
Executing Across Borders
Strategy rarely fails on paper. It breaks down when assumptions from one market are applied to another without adjustment. I help leadership teams navigate the operational differences between China and global markets.
Trust Via Structure
Trust is not a communications tactic. It is the cumulative signal created by decisions, incentives, and leadership behavior. Sustainable growth requires a structure that reinforces long-term credibility.
Selected Insights
My writing explores China’s business landscape from the inside out, synthesizing strategic perspective with operational nuance.
Here you’ll find essays, case studies, and commentary on trends affecting China-global relations, marketing in Chinese markets, innovation ecosystems, and leadership in the digital age.
These pieces are meant to inform decision-makers who need depth, context, and perspective, not oversimplification.
Dual Culture Management
Navigating life’s intricate fabric, choices unfold paths to the extraordinary, demanding creativity, curiosity, and courage for a truly fulfilling journey.
The Risks of China Speed
Navigating life’s intricate fabric, choices unfold paths to the extraordinary, demanding creativity, curiosity, and courage for a truly fulfilling journey.
Guangzhou Auto Show 2025
Navigating life’s intricate fabric, choices unfold paths to the extraordinary, demanding creativity, curiosity, and courage for a truly fulfilling journey.
Hiring in China in 2026
Navigating life’s intricate fabric, choices unfold paths to the extraordinary, demanding creativity, curiosity, and courage for a truly fulfilling journey.
The Risks of China Speed
Navigating life’s intricate fabric, choices unfold paths to the extraordinary, demanding creativity, curiosity, and courage for a truly fulfilling journey.
Global Talent: Bridge the China Gap
Navigating life’s intricate fabric, choices unfold paths to the extraordinary, demanding creativity, curiosity, and courage for a truly fulfilling journey.
About My Expertise
Over the past 15+ years, I have worked inside global technology companies, international agencies, and founder-led growth businesses, leading cross-border marketing, public relations, and executive communications initiatives. My experience spans headquarters strategy, overseas execution, crisis management, and large-scale campaign delivery, with a focus on reducing friction between China and international markets.
Integrated Global Marketing Execution
Planned and executed integrated brand and sales campaigns across e-commerce, digital media, influencer networks, and creative teams. Delivered measurable commercial outcomes, including major seasonal campaigns that significantly increased international market revenue and engagement.
Cross-Border Organizational Alignment
Worked at the intersection of headquarters leadership and overseas teams to improve execution clarity. Reduced friction across product, PR, marketing, and regional operations during launches, crises, and brand expansion initiatives.
Team Structuring & International Scale-Up
Redesigned global PR and marketing structures to support rapid growth, including managing distributed teams and agency partners. Contributed to new office build-outs and international business expansion through improved operational discipline and cross-functional coordination.
Executive Communications & Narrative Development
Drafted and edited executive speeches, leadership articles, and corporate messaging frameworks. Translated complex business strategies into clear narratives for global audiences while maintaining alignment with internal culture and long-term positioning.
Global Reputation & Crisis Leadership
Led international PR operations across multi-region teams and agencies, managing high-stakes communications that directly impacted overseas sales and corporate reputation. Experienced in aligning headquarters and regional stakeholders during sensitive media situations, product launches, and market expansion efforts.
Influencer & Media Systems Design
Built scalable global influencer and media engagement systems, including ranking methodologies and structured outreach frameworks. Improved accountability, performance measurement, and long-term advocacy across multiple international markets.
Speaking & Media
I speak about China’s economic transformation, global technology trends, cross-cultural strategy, and effective communications at conferences, corporate briefings, and industry events.
My talks translate complex developments into practical insight. I engage audiences in ways that help leadership teams move from uncertainty to an actionable perspective — whether on stage, in media interviews, or at private roundtables.
Available for keynote, panel, workshop, and executive-briefing engagements.
Shenzhen Government Event
Ecuador-China Chamber Event
Shenzhen Daily Interview
Max Chernov Interviews
Work With Me
I selectively advise leadership teams navigating growth and execution between China and international markets. My focus is on operational alignment, communication clarity, and reducing friction between headquarters and overseas teams.
- Cross-Border Execution Alignment
- Growth & Market Expansion Advisory
- Executive Communication & Narrative Risk
- Organizational Friction & Coordination
For deeper engagement structures and project-based work, visit SageSight Consulting.
Sean Upton-McLaughlin 