Anwar Jappie
Google Head Of Industry (Large Customer Sales), previous CMO, Director Sponsorship, General Manager
Johannesburg
Summary
Strong business leader focused on growth, for the business, people, himself and Africa. An entrepreneur, with talents for setting a vision, team building, leading and motivating. Strong consumer aptitude, winning with customers and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills, sound judgement, co-creator and collaborator to positively impact company & business success. A visionary leader leveraging technology to transform people, communities, businesses and driven to make a positive impact on society across Africa.
Started career with FMCG with Unilever, worked in category management, marketing and finance. then joined Nike, held various leadership positions, including CMO for Nike Africa, GM Nike Football, and Sports Marketing Director managing Sponsorship across Africa. Drove a digital-first approach for the brand across the continent, and leveraged the power of sports to inspire and empower African youth. a Nelson Mandela Scholar and holds an MBA from Durham Business School UK and CEIBS Shanghai. Passionate about creating positive impact through technology, partnerships and innovation across Africa
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Industry (Partnerships & Sales)
Google Africa
08.2017 - Current
- Seasoned and results-oriented growth leader with proven track record of success spearheading advertising sales (product & solutions led) and strategic initiatives within Retail, Telco, Auto, Media & Entertainment, FMCG, Tech & Travel industries at Google. Book of business represents - 65% of LCS revenue in Sub Sahara Africa
- Expertise in developing and executing impactful sales & marketing transformation strategies to drive revenue growth, market expansion (West Africa & East Africa), and focus on operational excellence (sales rigor).
- Passionate about fostering building high-performing teams (6 direct reports, 10 in-directs) and cultivating enduring client partnerships across these industries
- Revenue Growth: Doubled size of business over 4 years, exceeding set targets and propelling Google's dominance in multi sectors.
- YouTube Product Champion: Spearheaded launch of YouTube competitive selling within the African market (TV+ narrative) and pitch strategy to agencies & clients. Resulting in significant revenue growth (3X)
- Worked well in team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Industry Leadership & Advocacy: Represent Google as thought leader and industry advocate, actively participating in industry events, conferences, media liaison and partnerships themed across Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Marketing, Digital Marketing, E-Commerce, Marketing & Business Strategy
- Sales Excellence: Oversee all aspects of Google's multi industry sales operations, including sales team management, revenue generation setting up joint business plans with all strategic partners
- Sales Master Coaching Lead for Africa, work the entire team in Dublin and focus countries, part of EMEA working group
- Team Leadership: Cultivate and empower high-performing XFN team of sales, marketing & product specialist professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence resulting in several global best practices & ThinkWithGoogle case studies
- Built positive relationships with an extensive network of clients, government departments, agency partners and industry bodies
Chair (Industry Commitment)
EffieAwards South Africa
12.2022 - Current
- Leads Effie Awards SA (committee representative of top tier brands & agencies), the Awards is known by advertisers and agencies globally as the pre-eminent award in the industry, and recognises any and all forms of marketing that contribute to a brand & business success & growth
- Formulated and executed strategic initiatives and launched Effie C-Suite Dialogue Series in 2022, held 10 dialogues in partnership with GIBS Business School ranging from CMO/CFO collaboration & Creativity as Marketing & Business Growth Driver
- Promote Effie Excellence & Marketing Effectiveness across South Africa, playing advocacy roles by speaking and presenting at industry conferences, direct to brands & agencies and writing thought leadership pieces
- Business Plan to onboard rest of Africa into awards in 2025
Chair - Black Googler Network (Employee Resource)
Google Africa
10.2019 - Current
- Strategic Leadership by leading DEI initiatives, fostering inclusive workplace for all and Black+ Googlers & Allies in South African business
- Cultivated vibrant Black Google Network (BGN) community, driving participation in programs (x2 membership) and events.
- Represented BGN at Google's highest levels - BGN Global & EMEAN forums, Google Africa Leadership Team, SA DEI Council, advocating for Black employees' needs & need to education on DEI for all employees
- Led as mentorship & advocacy champion: personally acting as mentor & established specific mentorship program, connecting Black Googlers with mentors across the organization
- Advocated for policies and practices promoting racial equity and inclusion
Sports Marketing Director
Nike Africa
08.2015 - 07.2017
- Lead development and implementation of integrated sports marketing strategy across Africa (overall +EURO 32m budget)
- Management, identification and negotiation of contracts for sponsorship of top level African athletes/federations, government entities, responsible for athlete portfolio budgets and return on investment
- Commercial Management and activation of rights with Kaizer Chiefs, SA & Nigerian NT football teams and Mamelodi Sundowns etc including strategic planning and brand activations
- Creation, successful implementation and communication of Marketing and strategic business plans for all Football/Track & field athletes, and Nike Sponsored clubs/federations, brand campaigns, including PR usage, tactical opportunities and retail support in order to maximise brand investment
- Establishing and developing strong and successful relationships with government entities (Sports and Recreation, Dept of Education), industry bodies including with contracted Nike athletes, team management and all agents
- Contract negotiation with athletes, agents and federations, government entities
- Leveraged data analytics insights for informed decision-making in critical areas such as sales forecasting, budgeting, or personnel management
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements working with Nike WHQ legal
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth (team based across Amsterdam, Dubai & Johannesburg)
Chief Marketing Officer
Nike Africa
12.2010 - 07.2015
- First Pan Africa CMO driving brand growth across North & Sub Saharan Africa, set first total Africa (North & Sub Saharan) brand & product growth strategy for entire continent.
- Developed and executed marketing programs, product strategy and general business solutions resulting in increased Nike brand awareness (voted #1 African Consumer brand over period), and elevated sales (double digit growth across all markets)
- Implemented key initiatives and activities aligned with new brand & product strategy developed, transitioning from being football & male dominant to launching Nike Running & focus on Women's training
- Oversaw 40 person marketing team (8 direct reports) promoting continuous improvement & growth (6+ global moves/placements)
- Successfully launched Nike We Run City Series, The Nike Chance Football Scouting Program Across, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco & Algeria. Winning #1 Sports Brand in SA for 2 years
- Managed cross-functional teams for successful marketing campaign execution and performance analysis across continent
- Led Media and Government engagement on behalf of the Brand
General Manager (Football Category)
Nike South Africa
04.2008 - 12.2010
- Team member #1 in Nike Africa Football Category, built & recruited the entire team, with the aim of winning before, during and after World Cup 2010 in South Africa
- Growth leader: Controlled & Managed Football category P&L, drove year-over-year business growth while leading business operations, setting strategic vision for football category, and long-range planning (2010 and beyond)
- Led cross functional team (marketing, ops - supply chain & merchandising, sales, finance) maximised efficiency via cross PA KPIs & goals, coaching and mentoring the team. Part of Global Football Category team representing Africa.
- Developed and maintained relationships with Industry bodies, government & especially Retail customers on football category account development & seasonal plans,
- Led overall World Cup 2010 strategy development and execution for company, owner and leader as project lead of integrated company plan
- Analyzed market trends and competitor activities to create competitive advantages.
- Recruited, hired, and trained football category personnel, working to establish key internal functions to setup Football category org and succeed for WC2010 and and beyond
Sports Marketing Manager
Nike South Africa
08.2007 - 04.2008
- Scouted, Signed and managed all Sports Marketing assets/ Sponsorship partnerships in South Africa
- Led strategic planning and budget planning & management, planned leverage and activation within marketing campaigns
- Led team of 5
- Developed WC2010 player strategy (resulted in 8 out of starting 11 South African players being contracted to Nike) integrated in local and global brand campaigns
- Drove operational efficiency through data-driven decision-making processes, leveraging analytics tools for informed Sports Marketing strategy development
- Conducted competitive analysis across various sponsorship properties across to identify market trends and capitalize on emerging opportunities for growth
Founder & Owner
FANATICUS Sports & Fan Marketing
10.2006 - 07.2007
- Entrepreneurial venture combining passion for sport and marketing and solving business challenges for brands wanting to win with fans
- Conducted target market research to scope out industry competition and identify advantageous trends for brand wanting to win in the sports arena
- Created and monitored promotional approaches for brands around sport activation
Business Unit Manager (Finance Dept)
Unilever South Africa
01.2005 - 09.2006
- Develop business cases for product, supply chain, marketing & sales that can be scaled across the business. Worked on driving an entrepreneurial with the company, adopting innovation to unlock growth
- Using Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) principles to build inclusive business models that would grow market access and inclusion of low income consumers (increasing Unilever Share of Wallet), executed 5 cross functional projects
- Implemented co-creation models with NGOs, Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) to establish new models for shared value and success. Launched local chili procurement project, to diversify Unilever sourcing and de-risk India sourcing.
- Working with the NGO sector, government entities and entrepreneurs across South Africa, Kenya
- Marketing Campaign Design & sales integration - piloting hybrid Shakti model in KZN & Limpopo, with women's buying groups selling small unit purchase (SUPs).
Brand Manager Sunlight & Surf/Radiant (Marketing)
Unilever
06.2004 - 06.2005
- Spearheaded strategic brand plans Sunlight & Surf to increase market share and brand awareness, +5% share shift in competive landscape
- Created and managed budgets to maximize brand reach and engagement, while managing agencies and suppliers
- XFN lead for product launches, conducted research and analysis to determine brand positioning and messaging, and led go to marketing activations
- Surf/Radiant Regional Lead - presenting Africa on Global Radiant Brand Team, including hosting Radiant team in Africa
Business Development Manager (Customer Division)
Unilever South Africa
12.2003 - 06.2004
- Strategic planner to Customer Director, Identifying and pursued valuable business opportunities to generate new company revenue and improve bottom line profit i.e. leading Unilever Customer Data platform integration to industry standard
- Monitored market trends and competitor activities to identify areas of potential opportunity.
- Established key performance indicators to track and analyze business progress and adjust strategies accordingly.
Skincare Category Manager (Customer Division)
Unilever South Africa
01.2000 - 07.2002
- Started as graduate recruit, promoted to Assist Category Manager & then Skin Care Category Manager
- Led category to over 50% market share
Education
MBA - International Business
Durham Business School (Full Time)
Durham United KingdomMBA - International Marketing - Exchange Program
Chinese European International Business School
Shanghai, ChinaBachelor of Arts - Social Anthropology, International Politics
University of Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa 04.2001 -
Skills
Pan African Business Leader (North & Sub Saharan Africa)
Mission and Vision Setting (then delivering results)
Industry Expertise (Marketing/Sales/Technology))
Team Builder (Resourcing, Staff Development, Coaching, Mentoring)
Community Contacts/Outreach (NGOs, Government Entities)
People and Culture Orientated (Team Cohesion, Building Joint Success)
Growth Leader (Brand, Product, Sales, People)
Timeline
Chair (Industry Commitment)
EffieAwards South Africa
12.2022 - Current
Chair - Black Googler Network (Employee Resource)
Google Africa
10.2019 - Current
Head of Industry (Partnerships & Sales)
Google Africa
08.2017 - Current
Sports Marketing Director
Nike Africa
08.2015 - 07.2017
Chief Marketing Officer
Nike Africa
12.2010 - 07.2015
General Manager (Football Category)
Nike South Africa
04.2008 - 12.2010
Sports Marketing Manager
Nike South Africa
08.2007 - 04.2008
Founder & Owner
FANATICUS Sports & Fan Marketing
10.2006 - 07.2007
Business Unit Manager (Finance Dept)
Unilever South Africa
01.2005 - 09.2006
Brand Manager Sunlight & Surf/Radiant (Marketing)
Unilever
06.2004 - 06.2005
Business Development Manager (Customer Division)
Unilever South Africa
12.2003 - 06.2004
Bachelor of Arts - Social Anthropology, International Politics
University of Cape Town
04.2001 -
Skincare Category Manager (Customer Division)
Unilever South Africa
01.2000 - 07.2002
MBA - International Business
Durham Business School (Full Time)
MBA - International Marketing - Exchange Program
Chinese European International Business School
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