Mathew Mwangi Karanja
Marketing And Communication Specialist
Nairobi
Summary
A seasoned marketing and strategic partnership expert with 20 years of experience in different areas of specialization like Brand Management, Customer Service, Research, Product Launch, Corporate Social Responsibility & Partnerships and Events Management among others. Dedicated professional with a history of meeting company goals utilizing consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Group Marketing & Events Manager
Mediamax Networks Limited
2013.01 - Current
- TV Stations (K24 TV, Kameme TV), 6 Radios stations (Kameme FM, Milele FM, Meru FM, Mayian FM, Emoo FM, Msenangu FM), Planed, organized and Managed several national launches of Key products like o Balozi Can by EABL, Summit by Keroche, The Blaze by Safaricom, Panadol by
- GSK, Soko by Capwell Industries, Absa Corporate Identity, Airtel, Telkom
- Koko Cooker among others
- Manage client activations across the country
- These include: o Major supermarkets-Naivas & Quickmart Supermarkets o Safaricom o Guinness, Tusker, o Fresh Fri, Kapa o DSTV/GOTV
- Manage National Roadshow like o Safaricom, Absa, Koko, Airtel, Copia, Savannah Cement, Mabati Rolling Mills
- Manage and Coordinate major CSR events like o Donation of Medical Ventilators to patients at Kenyatta National Hospital
- O Beyond Zero Medical Camps in all the 47 counties o Mater Heartruns across all major towns in the country
- O Charity Walks like Meru Hospice, KENCASA o Blood Donation Campaigns in all major towns o Nyeri Half Marathon, 2018
- Planned, Organized and managed 2 major launches of K24 TV, 2014 & 2016
- Managed countrywide launch of Milele FM, 2019
- Organized and managed 1st
- Mediamax Educational Expo in Thika with over 40 exhibitors
- Developed the distribution plan and the launch of The People Daily Newspaper across the country, 2017
- Designed and managed a national TV and Radio Game dubbed “ KEMEA MSOTO” fordays, with top prize of Kshs 10, 000,000
- Coordinated the launch of the South African GAME Stores in the country
- Managed several major concerts o Morgan Heritage Concert is 2018 o Solly Mahlangu Gospel Concert, Kasarani
- O Bahati Concerts in Thika and Ruiru o Kikuyu Mugithi Concerts-John De Mathew, Samido, Paul Kigia among others
- O Sinach Gospel Concert, CITAM o Groove Awards Concerts, 2018/19
- Manage 4 commercial partnerships that contribute to over Kshs 50M monthly towards the commercial revenues of the organization.
PR & Marketing Manager
Milele FM
2009.10 - 2012.12
- Managed to see the station grow to 2nd
- Best National Radio Station from position 6 in the country
- Made the station the Home of Rhumba, where we did a Rhumba event every two weeks across the country
- Increased advertising revenues by 25% in three years
- Increased the station’s brand visibility through Corporate Social responsibility activities like National Cross Countries Championships
- Organized the 1st
- Football tournament in Taita Taveta County with over 300,000 spectators with Sofapaka as the guest team
- Oversaw the Brand's Marketing and communications planning in line with the other departments.
Head of Marketing Services
Royal Media Services
2006.12 - 2009.09
- Was the coordinator of the team that developed the strategic plan for Citizen
- Television Brand before it was launched
- Assisted in the development of the pillar locally produced programs on Citizen TV
- Planned, organized and managed the launch of Citizen TV
- Was part of the team that locked the Tusker Project Fame Program on Citizen TV
- Spearheaded the negotiations and agreement of full sponsorship of the Ndakaini Half
- Marathon sponsored by UAP
- Oversaw the partnerships and collaborations of all the CSR activities like Cancer Fund raising walks, Farmers Forums, School donations and Talent searches among others
- In-charge of the Elections Centre in 2007, where Citizen Television had election reporters in all the major polling stations in the country
- Initiated the development of Marketing Budgets for all the brands.
Sales Manager
Citizen Television, Royal Media Services
2006.02 - 2006.11
- Managed to have the 1st
- Safaricom Lewa Marathon Live on Citizen TV sponsored by
- Safaricom
- Introduced the commercial coverage of on-ground events in the country using the only state of art TV broadcast Van in the country
- Managed to have 3 distinct commercial teams-Direct, Agency and OB, that lead to the increase of sales revenues by 50%
Regional Sales Coordinator
Royal Media Services
2004.10 - 2006.01
- Recruited over 15 Sales Agents across the country to boost the revenues from Kshs to 8M
- Opened coordination offices in Kisumu, Mombasa, Kakamega and Eldoret for the ease of the management of all the station’s editorial and administrative activities
- Developed revenue collection structures, from the agents to the head office hence improving the effectiveness and efficiency of our operations
- Initiated most of the regional collaboration activities across the country.
Business Manager
Show & Tell Kenya Limited
2003.07 - 2004.09
- Managed day-to-day operations, including personnel activities, strategic scheduling, and customer experience control of our clients like Colgate, P&G and Coopers
- Handled business finances, including supervising accounts payable, receivable, and payroll of the teams
- Supported financial management targets by preparing budgets, forecasts, and financial reports
- Helped organization achieve budget and operational targets by effectively managing schedules and resources
- Identified financial strengths and weaknesses by regularly reviewing KPIs and tracking sheets of the teams.
Sales and Marketing Manager
Sophia Roses
2002.04 - 2003.06
- Met with prospective oversees clients to assess needs, explain our product offerings and promote sales
- Monitored sales performance and enforced adherence to established sale quotas
- Developed and executed winning sales presentations and followed up with prospective clients
- Oversaw work of clerical staff maintaining records of all the flowers, bid requests, and official licenses and regulatory documentation
- Promoted our products at trade association meetings and industry conferences and key company representative
- Capitalized on emerging trends with proactive management approach
- Optimized revenue with profitable pricing structures and strategic discount plans.
Marketing Executive
Haco Industries Limited
2001.01 - 2002.08
- Developed and run the 1st
- National Consumer Bic Competition in Kenya
- Designed a marketing support system for all major Bic Distributors in Kenya
- Did 2 Trade competitions for 6 months
- Undertook a national postering campaign for BIC ball pen
- Chaired the AIDS committee at the organization for 1 year
- Supported diverse print and digital campaigns with expert copy and collateral with the assistance of the advertising agencies.
Regional Marketing Assistant
Coca Cola, Mid Africa, Coca-Cola
1999.06 - 2000.12
- Undertook a consumer consumption habit survey in Nairobi for 6 months, a pilot project in Kenya & Nigeria
- Developed and Implemented a, Sensational Activation Program at
- International school and Coca Cola outlets, Seychelles, 2000
- Participated is a Western and Nyanza Trade support Campaign led by the Nyanza
- Coca Cola Franchise
- Invited to the Central African Countries-Congo and DRC to share Kenyan market experience and expertise on Coca Cola Marketing consumer activations.
Education
MBA - Business Administration, Strategic Management
Mt Kenya University
Thika, Kenya 2021.01 - 2022.05
IBA - Business Administration, Finance & Marketing
United States International University
Nairobi, Kenya 1996.06 - 1999.06
Pre University Course -
United States International University
Nairobi, Kenya 1995.01 - 1996.05
KCSE -
Nyeri High School
Nyeri, Kenya 1992.01 - 1994.05
Skills
Client communication
Brand development
Strategic planning
Corporate Communications
Public and Media Relations
Marketing and advertising
Teamwork and Collaboration
Written Communication
Timeline
MBA - Business Administration, Strategic Management
Mt Kenya University
2021.01 - 2022.05
Group Marketing & Events Manager
Mediamax Networks Limited
2013.01 - Current
PR & Marketing Manager
Milele FM
2009.10 - 2012.12
Head of Marketing Services
Royal Media Services
2006.12 - 2009.09
Sales Manager
Citizen Television, Royal Media Services
2006.02 - 2006.11
Regional Sales Coordinator
Royal Media Services
2004.10 - 2006.01
Business Manager
Show & Tell Kenya Limited
2003.07 - 2004.09
Sales and Marketing Manager
Sophia Roses
2002.04 - 2003.06
Marketing Executive
Haco Industries Limited
2001.01 - 2002.08
Regional Marketing Assistant
Coca Cola, Mid Africa, Coca-Cola
1999.06 - 2000.12
IBA - Business Administration, Finance & Marketing
United States International University
1996.06 - 1999.06
Pre University Course -
United States International University
1995.01 - 1996.05
KCSE -
Nyeri High School
1992.01 - 1994.05