A seasoned marketing professional and commercial leader with over a decade-and-half of experience working in various capacities across leading multinational fast-moving consumer goods, FMCG firms, Kemi Longe stands out as a professional in end-to-end commercial planning, driving marketing teams and fostering cross-functional collaboration to achieve brand building and business goals.

Her last role was as the Head of Marketing for PZ Cussons, a role through which she drove revenue growth through strategic marketing initiatives whilst also engendering a culture of innovation.

Longe whose academic foundation was a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos transitioned into Marketing when after her youth service, she joined a gadget store as a front desk sales representative. This experience introduced her to the dynamics of consumer interaction and helped in developing her selling and people skills. She proceeded to Unilever from there where she held various positions, including Field Sales Manager, Channel Manager, and Modern Trade Business Development Manager.

From Unilever, Longe moved to GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Plc where she served in roles such as Shopper Marketing Manager for East & West Africa. There, she led the development and execution of innovative campaigns and regional marketing strategies that significantly enhanced market share, brand equity and revenue growth. It was from there that she moved to PZ Cussons where she took on several marketing roles before exiting as the Head of Marketing. It is on record that as the head of marketing, she drove profitable growth through strategic marketing initiatives, innovation management and revenue growth strategies.

According to her, the decision to venture into marketing after her engineering degree was driven by her desire to combine her analytical thinking with creative problem-solving. She enthused: “Marketing allows me to tap into my analytical, strategic and creative sides. This blend of challenge and opportunity is what excites me about the profession”

She pointed out that in her marketing journey, several experiences were unforgettable. However, she recounted two of these: “One standout experience was leading the portfolio transformation of brands at PZ Cussons. By implementing demand generation and brand-building strategies,we achieved a significant shift in portfolio contribution and enhanced equity of key brands. Witnessing a brand like Premier Cool take off, gain brand love, increase market share significantly and surpass multiple internal commercial KPIS was very fulfilling.”

“Another memorable experience was at Unilever, where I led a channel development project. This initiative involved extensive market analysis and strategic planning to identify the right partners who could drive availability and execute brilliantly to drive shopper offtake. The success of this project not only led to a significant increase in sales but also positioned our brands as leaders within their respective categories in the channel’’, she noted.

And to aspiring female professionals: ‘‘Believe in your capabilities, stay committed to your goals, and never stop learning. Be self-aware and recognize areas where you can improve. Continuous self-development is key to staying relevant and effective in your field’’.