Inside the Playbook of Heineken’s Global Brands Director: Natasha Maharaj.
From Johannesburg to Amsterdam, Natasha Maharaj has helped shape brands that don’t just sell, but shift culture. 🇿🇦 ➡️ 🌎 From Unilever’s disciplined brand building to Nestlé’s commercial deep dives, from local cultural hits at Distell to scaling for 100+ countries at Heineken, Natasha Maharaj has walked the talk and has the battle scars to show for it. Now Global Brands Director at Heineken (overseeing brands like Desperados, Amstel & Tiger Beer), Natasha Maharaj joins me on this all-new episode of The Diary of a CMO™ to discuss:✅ Balancing local soul with global scale✅ Creativity in one of the world’s most regulated categories✅ The power of cross-functional, psychologically safe teams✅ Marketing’s biggest job today is to co-create, not control✅ How to keep 100-year-old brands hot with Gen Z...and so much more.This episode is a masterclass in building brands that last, building people and not just market share, and defying all odds including yourself. 📌 🎙 ABOUT THE PODCASTThe Diary Of A CMO™ is a thought-leadership podcast and content platform for leading minds in the advertising and broader marketing communications industry on the African continent and the world at large.The Diary Of A CMO™ hosts the world's brightest marketing as well as industry leaders across related media, tech, and creative industries.🔗 CONNECT WITH EYITAYO 📸 Instagram - /eyitayo_olayemi 👥 Linkedin - /eyitayo_olayemi 🐦 Twitter - /madnessmeta 🎥 YouTube Channel - /@TheDiaryOfACMO
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Ilaria Pasquinelli: The Woman Behind the World’s Biggest Creative Stage - Cannes Lions
In this episode of The Diary of a CMO, I sit with Ilaria Pasquinelli, Chief Marketing Officer at LIONS — the company behind Cannes Lions, WARC, and the Effies. We explore:Why some brands lead, others followHow to embed creative intelligence at scaleThe "Creative Effectiveness Ladder" and why every marketer should know itWhat’s the data telling us about long-term brand growth vs. short-term gains? How Cannes Lions is becoming more globally inclusive; from Côte d’Ivoire to KazakhstanFrom WGSN to WARC to Cannes, Ilaria has seen the industry evolve and she doesn’t hold back. She breaks down the intersection of creativity, effectiveness, and leadership in today’s marketing world.🎙 ABOUT THE PODCASTThe Diary Of A CMO™ is a thought-leadership podcast and content platform for leading minds in the advertising and broader marketing communications industry on the African continent and the world at large.The Diary Of A CMO™ hosts the world's brightest marketing as well as industry leaders across related media, tech, and creative industries.🔗 CONNECT WITH EYITAYO 📸 Instagram - /eyitayo_olayemi 👥 Linkedin - /eyitayo_olayemi 🐦 Twitter - /madnessmeta 🎥 YouTube Channel - /@TheDiaryOfACMO
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Jacques Burger: Leading Africa’s Largest Independent Agency Group.
Jacques Burger is the Co-Founder and Group CEO of The Up&Up Group (formerly M&C Saatchi Abel), one of Africa’s most respected and awarded independent agency groups. With over 20 years of experience leading creative agencies across Southern Africa and Australia, Jacques has built brand strategies for global powerhouses like Heineken, Panasonic, Volkswagen, MTN, and Old Mutual.He is a passionate advocate for creative bravery, leadership grounded in simplicity, and the need to reclaim creativity in an industry under pressure. His journey from launching an agency to buying it back from global shareholders is a masterclass in vision, grit, and reinvention.🎙 ABOUT THE PODCASTThe Diary Of A CMO™ is a thought-leadership podcast and content platform for leading minds in the advertising and broader marketing communications industry on the African continent and the world at large.The Diary Of A CMO™ hosts the world's brightest marketing as well as industry leaders across related media, tech, and creative industries.🔗 CONNECT WITH EYITAYO 📸 Instagram - /eyitayo_olayemi 👥 Linkedin - /eyitayo_olayemi 🐦 Twitter - /madnessmeta 🎥 YouTube Channel - /@TheDiaryOfACMO
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1:19:28
Enzo Scarcella: The Marketing Visionary Fuelling MTN’s $3.6B Brand Machine
Enzo Scarcella is the Chief Consumer Officer at MTN Group, where he leads consumer strategy across 19 markets, steering the brand through Africa's dynamic digital evolution. With over two decades of experience, Enzo has been at the helm of some of South Africa's most iconic brands. He played a pivotal role in Vodacom's transformation, notably leading the brand's migration from blue to red. His tenure at Telkom as Chief Marketing Officer further showcased his ability to drive brand resurgence in competitive markets. Enzo's career also includes significant roles in the beverage, retail, and media sectors, with stints at SABMiller and M-Net, where he honed his skills in brand management and consumer engagement.🎙 ABOUT THE PODCASTThe Diary Of A CMO™ is a thought-leadership podcast and content platform for leading minds in the advertising and broader marketing communications industry on the African continent and the world at large.The Diary Of A CMO™ hosts the world's brightest marketing as well as industry leaders across related media, tech, and creative industries.🔗 CONNECT WITH EYITAYO 📸 Instagram - /eyitayo_olayemi 👥 Linkedin - /eyitayo_olayemi 🐦 Twitter - /madnessmeta 🎥 YouTube Channel - /@TheDiaryOfACMO
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1:10:25
Aimee Kellen: The Purpose-Led Marketer Turning Craft, Culture & Conviction into Global Luxury.
Aimee Kellen, Regional Marketing Director, Middle East & Africa, Moet Hennessy, is a results-oriented marketer with over 17 years of brand and consumer marketing experience, driven by a deep passion for luxury and iconic brands. Inspired by the legacy, innovation, and craftsmanship of Moët Hennessy’s iconic maisons, Aimee brings their brand stories to life through evocative, purpose-led marketing that connects with consumers across Middle East & Africa. 🌍 🎙 ABOUT THE PODCASTThe Diary Of A CMO™ is a thought-leadership podcast and content platform for leading minds in the advertising and broader marketing communications industry on the African continent and the world at large.The Diary Of A CMO™ hosts the world's brightest marketing as well as industry leaders across related media, tech, and creative industries.🔗 CONNECT WITH EYITAYO 📸 Instagram - /eyitayo_olayemi 👥 Linkedin - /eyitayo_olayemi 🐦 Twitter - /madnessmeta 🎥 YouTube Channel - /@TheDiaryOfACMO
The Diary Of A CMO™ is a thought-leadership podcast and content platform for leading minds in the advertising and broader marketing communications industry on the African continent and the world at large.
The Diary Of A CMO™ will play host to some of the world's best and brightest marketing leaders as well as industry leaders across related media, tech, and creative industries.
South Africa