Lara Ikemefuna

Responsible for delivering an integrated customer marketing approach including products and services deployment plan with assigned customers, leading planning and execution through key account teams.

• Strong contributor to the development of the Market Business Plan based on analysis of market intelligence covering the entire value chain in identified priority categories.
• Define, develop and deliver customer marketing initiatives aligned with the market growth strategy in close collaboration with Key Account Management teams.
• Deliver marketing services for assigned customers drawing materials and methodologies from global organization.
• Provide input to new product requirements based on value chain needs in key categories.
• Provide input to future intelligence requirements for market and liaise with global business intelligence supporting research projects as needed.
• Analyze and use research data with customers. Provide input to application of market and business intelligence to market company opportunities
• Manage Promotional Investment investment and programs for assigned customers

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to the Brands & Marketing Team
• Create, implement and measure the success of a comprehensive omni channel marketing communications and public relations program that will enhance the organization's image and position within the marketplace and the general public
• Responsible for creating and managing all marketing and communications activities of the organization which includes branding & advertising, internal & external communications, Product and corporate social responsibility
• Plan strategies and execute marketing designs and activities to establish and maintain brand presence in the market
• Responsible for the development and implementation of business cycles encompassing different campaigns and ensure resources are utilized to provide return on investment.
• Drive Omni channel seasonal campaign Idea generation and execution
• Source, drive and deliver institutional partnerships, marketing strategies that can increase footfall to the organizations omni channels
• Provide omni channel promotion content brief, prototypes and storyboard to the design team or external vendors for radio, billboard, television, newspapers, flyers, stickers, customized stationery and magazine articles
• Liaise with the Visual Merchandising Team to identify complete looks and matching stories to use for marketing materials
• Develop related external product partnerships that drive traffic and build our brand awareness
• Responsible for preparing, implementing and managing organization's annual marketing budget.
• Represent the organization at events and build relationships with key external stakeholders

• Ideation & Execution of marketing & sales strategy, impacting brand recall & revenue, including the launch of the groups 3 subsidiary brands, resulting in overall brand awareness.
• Conceptualized & executed an innovative high impact launch campaign for the Logistics Services category, comprising of multi-media ATL & BTL elements.
• Led a multi-functional team including Sales & operations to devise and deliver new service offerings, with brand, product & category directions.
• Developed collateral marketing material and presentations for the purposes of advertising sales, sponsorships, partnerships and events.
• Created and executed advertising programs and strategic marketing that resulted in increased revenue levels.

• Managed all corporate marketing functions with budget of 10 million Naira, including brand management, product launch, advertising, marketing collateral, and events.
• Developed and launched a digital newsletter/catalogue, for direct marketing campaigns that increased sales on online platforms.
• Led launch of key initiatives that solidified leadership position of the brand in the market.
• Managed the creation of a world class website to transform the previous website into a dynamic portal improving communication flow and adding an effective online platform for customers.
• Developed campaigns, product launches, brochures and training materials that enhanced sales and helped store team sell more effectively.
• Performed ongoing customer/market research and demographic profiling to identify and capitalize on unmet market needs ahead of the curve.
• Managed special events, community outreaches and store activations to propagate the organization's agenda.
• Leveraged strengths in cost-effective marketing management and vendor negotiations

• Managed 4 of the agency's largest accounts, serving as the primary liaison between agency staff, client marketing teams and outsourced vendors.
• Defined client requirements and project parameters and guided teams in the development and delivery of campaign strategy and multimedia collateral.
• Adhered to budgets, oversaw account billing and communicated updates to client teams.
• Managed dozens of multimedia campaigns.
• Collaborated with clients from concept to production and launch of nationwide print, TV, Web, mobile-device and social-media campaigns that routinely exceeded client expectations.
• Played a lead role on pitches to current and prospective accounts, delivering presentations that won new and increased existing business to drive multimillion-naira revenue growth.
• Handled challenging account known for “agency hopping” and last-minute changes.
• Effectively managed expectations and avoided scope creep.
• Efforts helped retain client and increased annual billing in 2015.
• Grew portfolio of accounts to generate more agency revenues in 2016.
• Maintained ongoing communications with all accounts and fostered loyal, lasting relationships.
• Consistently gathered competitive intelligence and assisted in business-development initiatives.
• Developed campaign-management tools (e.g., creative briefs, proposal templates, estimate forms and project-tracking spreadsheets) that improved flow of communication and elevated client satisfaction.