Olaonipekun Okunowo

A seasoned commercial professional with over 20 years of extensive and practicable experience that reflects consistent achievements, a depth of value, diverse leadership experience and continual advancement in top multinationals and start-up businesses in Africa, Asia and the United Kingdom.

Chief Operating Officer/ Co-founder, JQ CONSULT LIMITED, Lagos, Nigeria.| Jan. 2016 - Present.

Provided transformational business leadership in realizing business growth strategies and optimizing operational capabilities.

• Drove 55% annual turnover and 35% profitability growth through partnership, cost management, and service delivery monitoring. 
• Engineered 30% growth in total revenue utilizing new revenue streams and niche digital solutions.
•  Commissioned growth solutions to over 10 business accounts, resulting in a 40% increment in total business turnover.   
• Transformed employee capacity and KPI system, promoting high performance, ingenuity and internal mobility.

Marketing Director, HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LIMITED, Lagos, Nigeria | Jul. 2014 - Nov.2015.

Led revenue growth, corporate communications, product pipeline, brand and integrated marketing communications strategy and operations across MEA.

• Implemented a robust corporate communications framework, improving Huawei Technologies’ business stance and outlook in Sub-Sahara Africa. 
• Co-captained a successful global ABM campaign that boosted valuable leads, strengthen relationships with key accounts and increase sales by 25%.
• Boosted market share from 5% to 20% and brand equity growth by 25% through brand revamp and localized marketing initiatives. 
• Transformed the Exhibition Technology Division and SSA service into a revenue stream of $25.8M in 6 months.
• Coordinated cross-functional teams to introduce the Y-series smartphones, contributing 35% to consumer group sales revenue in the MEA region.
• Originated youth-empowering and corporate citizenship programs, strengthening Huawei’s reputation with over 3,000 beneficiaries in Nigeria. 
• Oversaw communication and digital media structure, partnership, and sponsorship across West African regional media campaigns.

Group Business Accounts Director, EXP MARKETING NIGERIA LIMITED, Lagos, Nigeria. | Jan. 2014 - Jun. 2014.

• Championed sales, business development, relationship building, revenue generation and team capacity building.
• Pioneered brand campaigns, resulting in a 50% turnover growth through brand direction, operational efficiency, cost management, and quality service delivery.
• Secured and grew businesses with high-revenue clients (GE, Coca-Cola, JTI and Google) adding 35% of total revenue in 5 months.

Senior Marketing Manager, PZ CUSSONS PLC, Lagos, Nigeria. | Jun. 2011 - Nov 2013.

      Led a team of corporate communications, IMC, IMX, brand and product marketing strategies. 

• Achieved 45% media expense cost saving through strategic partnerships, media strategy/planning.
• Moderated the Thermocool Electricals repositioning and re-branding campaign resulting in 65% sales growth and the no. 1 selling consumer appliances in West Africa. 
• Instrumental to the Retail Transformation and Expansion Project, established 4 Mega Retail stores and 40 medium showrooms for Thermocool Electricals across West Africa with a 28% cost saving via cost saving and agile project management.

Category and Innovation Manager, PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC, Lagos, Nigeria | Jun. 2009 - May 2011.

• Accelerated the White Goods category growth to 75% of HPZ Limited’s turnover with a 35% gross margin range.
• Coxswained an 8- member cross-functional team to invent a new range of White Goods product categories for the MEA market, resulting in 35% GM category growth through innovation and portfolio rationalization. 
• Directed the Africa region brand management team and launched NPD, brand campaigns and channel activations for Imperial Leather Foam Burst & Carex across African markets achieving 15%+ CAGR business growth for 2 years.

Consumer Marketing Manager, PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC, Lagos, Nigeria. | Nov. 2007 -  May 2009.       

•  Launched the Haier Thermocool No. 1 for Cool thematic communication, 5 new products marketing campaigns and received 3 marketing awards.
• Piloted product marketing campaign for the Cussons no-lye relaxer category, improving market share from 5% to 15%.
• Streamlined and upgraded exhibition and trade fair policy on market penetration and sales growth, setting a record 200% earnings in 2009.
• Reappraised and reconstituted an agile network of vendors, improving cost management by 40% via SLA compliance.

Client Service Manager, 24-7IMC COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED, Lagos, Nigeria | Nov. 2004 - Oct. 2007.

• Supervised a strategic business unit of 13 people to design and implement brand management and 360° integrated marketing communications strategies for local and multi-nationals clients, delivering 95% revenue growth via consistent quality service delivery.
• Instigated and executed a nationwide loyalty rewards program for a leading commercial bank, delivering a 35% rise in product cross-sales.

• MBA, (Business Administration), Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
• B. Arts (Communications), Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.