We are redefining advertising landscape with our tools and innovative solutions-Marian Ogaziechi

A professional with a can-do spirit who has mastered the art of collaborating with cross-functional teams to provide exceptional results, Marian Ogaziechi, the Managing Director of DentsuAgyle Nigeria is a study in resilience and determination. With about two decades of experience in marketing communications and having led several initiatives in content production, media sales, brand management, media buying, trading and investment management, she has over the years risen to become an expert in providing solutions to meet clients’ objectives.
With a deep understanding of market dynamics which has seen her lead DentsuAgyle to indomitable heights, she takes pride in improving efficiency, and thus, clients’ bottom line in terms of returns on investment. Always brimming with ideas, she aims to use her company to redefine the advertising landscape in the next few years with media innovative real-time solutions that drive efficiency and clients’ profitability, and this, she intends to do through the use of technology.

Can we have an insight into your background?
I am Marian Ogaziechi, a seasoned integrated marketing specialist with about two decades years experience in marketing communications where I have led initiatives in content production, media sales, brand management, media buying, trading and investment management.

Currently, I am the managing director of DentsuAgyle Nigeria, where I drive media innovations, exploring untapped and unconventional media offering and providing marketing communication solutions to meet our client’s objectives. I hold a degree in theatre and communications art from the University of Jos and I have also attended several leadership and executive programs at the London and Lagos Business Schools. Professionally, I am passionate about driving efficiency and improving clients’ ROI, which has been my guiding principle as a media innovations expert. Apart from empowering my team, I am passionate about women and special needs children and through my NGO, We Smile Empowerment Foundation, I advocate for women’s empowerment and capacity development for special needs children. I am also passionate about mentoring young girls and that passion has given rise to Doyenne Circle, where I mentor young women through storytelling, drama and performing arts.

You are an integrated marketing communications professional, what informed your choice of this profession?
I figured that focusing on Integrated marketing communications will enable me to express my passion in driving measurable business outcomes. I have spent 10 years of my career focusing on delivering client ROI and driving efficiencyfor multinational and Fortune 500 companies at Dentsu. I have always enjoyed creative problem-solving and strategic thinking, which are essential skills in integrated marketing. This profession allows me to leverage these strengths to develop innovative solutions for clients.

Can you take us through your career trajectory?
The first half of my career has spanned across content production, media sales, BTL and brand management in the media and entertainment sector; while in the past ten years, I have majored in strategic media buying, trading, investment management and media innovations enabled byTech.
With a deep understanding of market dynamics, I am passionate about driving efficiency and improving clients’ ROI which has seen me lead transnational commercial teams across different business verticals for Fortune 500 companies operating in SSA and Largenationals operating in the following sectors: FMCGs, Brewed Beverage, Financial, Fintech, Tech, Oil and Gas, Telecommunication, Alcoholic beverages and SCDs and Dairy.
As I progressed in my career, I took on leadership roles, including my current position as Managing Director of DentsuAgyle Nigeria. In this role, I am responsible for driving media efficiencies and leading a talented team to deliver innovative marketing solutions.

Who and who have been most influential in your life and career?
Throughout my life and career, several individuals have been incredibly influential. Firstly, my parents instilled in me valuable lessons like resilience, perseverance, hard work and self-motivation, which have been foundational to my growth. Professionally, I was fortunate enough to have a mentor early in my career who guided me through the complexities of the industry. The insights and encouragement helped me develop confidence and strategic thinking skills. Additionally, my growth in the marketing communications sector was greatly influenced by my boss–Mr. Emeka Okeke, group CEO Mediafuse-Denstu Nigeria whore cognized my potential and encouraged me to pursue leadership opportunities. The belief in my abilities was instrumental in my career advancement. Till date, I draw inspiration from my boss whose belief in my abilities and continuous mentorship continues to shape my approach to challenges and opportunities in my professional life and providing career advancement.

Can you recall some memorable experiences that you have had in your professional life?
I will say I do not have one memorable experience as I have had lots of career highlights and memories to cherish for a very long time. Every time we have won a commercial-led pitch is memorable, and the best times are when we win global pitches. All global pitches are always quite complex projects that require coordinating efforts across multiple teams, and as the commercial lead, I am responsible for developing cohesive commercial strategies that align with the clients and the company’s vision.

What are the challenges you have faced and how have you managed to tackle them?
Life itself has both dark and bright sides, hence challenges are a huge part of life and living. I lost my father early as a teenager, and that experience taught me to accept challenges just like I accept wins and learn perseverance. Challenges are part of life, so I ensure to learn from whatever obstacles I am facing to ensure it does not happen a second time. I have also learnt to be flexible and communicate proactively to avoid unpleasant surprises which has helped me manage most situations.

You are the Managing Director for DenstuAgyle, what does the company do and how has it been faring?
We are part of the Media fuse Dentsu holding company in Nigeria; DenstuAgyle is a full-service marketing communications company specialising in media investment management and media innovations enabled by Tech. The media investment arm offers media buying services across all media touchpoints to ensure we are the most efficient in the market leveraging our group – Denstu Nigeria buying clout and tech to drive optimization and productivity across all media touchpoints. While our media innovative services include mart productions, original content creation &monetization, influencer marketing and PR all enabled by Tech to drive the right ROI. We are about the only agency offering these services in one and we are excited to be setting the pace for others to follow.

What are your plans for the company going forward?
Our plans are quite ambitious, and I will say watch out and see how were define the landscape with our tools, and media innovative real-time solutions to drive advertising efficiency and ROI enabled by Tech.

What advice do you have for aspiring female professionals?
Firstly, I will say, come with a value-based mindset as noon e will hand you anything for just being a woman. You can achieve that by continuously learning and reinventing yourself, build a strong value-based network and getting the right mentorship that aligns with your values and offers valuable insights and advice. Their experience can help you navigate your career path more effectively. Be open to new opportunities, even if they seem challenging and unfamiliar. Based on experience, these experiences can lead to unexpected growth and career advancement. Stay resilient and adaptable. The ability to bounce back from challenges and adjust to changing circumstances is key to long-term success. Lastly, be focused on your goals even when distractions come.The need to mentor young and aspiring female professionals gave birth to DentsuAgyle’s Women Leading Change (WLC) Master Class and Symposium. This is held annually to commemorate International Women’s Day and is essentially a platform that is used to educate, inspire and prepare young women for leadership.