Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline

Maureen Kambona

Nairobi

Summary

I specialize in building and scaling high-performing marketing and go-to-market operations. With over 15 years of leadership in corporate communications within the Technology, Media, and FMCG sectors, I have executed regional strategies that establish marketing as a key driver of business success. My focus on innovation, digital transformation, and customer-centricity has led to enhanced brand visibility, streamlined go-to-market processes, a 30% increase in sales, and successful product launches, all while strengthening customer engagement and partnerships. As a trusted advisor to C-suite leaders, I help organizations navigate change, execute impactful campaigns, and leverage data insights to create agile, consumer-focused marketing functions. My leadership consistently drives business growth and delivers measurable value through strong industry collaboration.

Experienced with regional marketing strategies and campaign execution. Utilizes strategic planning and market analysis to drive brand growth and customer engagement. Track record of leading teams to success and managing multi-channel marketing efforts efficiently.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience

Work History

Regional Marketing Manager – East, Central & West Africa Region

HMD Global Oy
08.2019 - Current
  • Company Overview: Maker of Nokia Phones
  • Leading the regional marketing strategy across East, Central, and West Africa, driving brand growth, market share expansion, and revenue generation for HMD Global
  • Oversee go-to-market execution, retail and digital marketing, brand partnerships, and product launches while managing a multimillion-dollar budget
  • Spearhead cross-functional collaboration between internal teams (HMD field force & marketing staff) and external partners (marketing & sales agencies) to optimize performance and ensure seamless execution across diverse African markets
  • Go-to-Market Strategy & Execution: Defined and implemented complex go-to-market strategies to drive growth and market share gains across Sub-Saharan Africa, managing an annual marketing budget of $3M
  • Revenue & Market Growth: Spearheaded a new product strategy across South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, unlocking $200K in quarterly revenue and increasing market share from 5% to 12% in East Africa
  • Brand Management & Awareness: Led high-impact ATL and BTL campaigns, including a Pan-African TV advertising strategy, strengthening brand visibility while ensuring budget efficiency
  • Retail & Channel Marketing: Developed and executed localized retail marketing strategies, increasing device availability by 35% and driving a 30% sales uplift
  • Performance Marketing & Digital Strategy: Overhauled digital and performance marketing efforts, leveraging data analysis and market trend insights to optimize ROI and customer engagement
  • Partnerships & Sponsorships: Strengthened global brand partnerships, spearheading the FC Barcelona-HMD collaboration to drive brand affinity across key markets
  • Budget & Cost Efficiency: Optimized marketing resource allocation, generating 28% in cost savings while maximizing marketing effectiveness
  • Market Insights & Innovation: Launched value-added products, leading to a 12% improvement in customer satisfaction ratings and a 30% expansion of product lines in one year
  • Sales & Activation KPIs: Consistently met 85%+ of KPI targets per campaign, ensuring strong phone sales, sell-out rates, and activations in collaboration with Sales and Finance teams
  • Regional Team & Agency Leadership: Managed a large cross-functional team across multiple African regions, overseeing both internal teams (HMD field force & marketing staff) and external teams (marketing & sales agencies) to ensure seamless execution of strategic initiatives
  • Stakeholder & Partner Management: Led collaboration efforts with regional distributors, telecom operators, and retail partners to strengthen market presence and drive growth
  • Maker of Nokia Phones

Marketing Manager (Carlsberg, Tuborg, Beam Suntory Brands)

King Beverage Ltd
02.2015 - 07.2019
  • Company Overview: Part of Centum Group
  • Led the marketing strategy and execution for Carlsberg, Tuborg, and Beam Suntory brands in Kenya, driving brand awareness, market penetration, and revenue growth
  • Developed and implemented go-to-market strategies, brand activations, and trade marketing initiatives to position the brands competitively in the market
  • Led in the development and execution of go-to-market strategies for premium beverage brands, driving a 200% sales increase within six months
  • Launched Carlsberg and Tuborg in Kenya, achieving 4% and 3% brand awareness in under two years, outperforming competitors in the segment
  • Secured 1% market share in the imported beer segment for Tuborg within one year through targeted campaigns and event sponsorships
  • Expanded distribution networks to over 3,500 outlets, strengthening brand visibility and availability
  • Managed sponsorships and strategic brand activations, enhancing consumer engagement through events such as the Koroga Festival and Tuborg Open
  • Part of Centum Group

Account Coordinator (Airtel Trace Music Stars Search)

Trace TV International
08.2014 - 01.2015
  • Led the launch and marketing activations for the Airtel Trace Music Stars Search competition, driving brand engagement and event participation
  • Led marketing activations for the Airtel Trace Music Stars competition, increasing social media engagement by 20% and event attendance by 30%
  • Developed local marketing and offline marketing strategies, resulting in enhanced brand exposure and audience reach
  • Coordinated stakeholder collaboration to secure sponsorship deals and optimize event execution

Account Manager – Marketing & Events

Capital FM Group Ltd
07.2012 - 08.2014
  • Managed marketing campaigns and high-profile events, driving brand awareness and audience engagement
  • Managed large-scale marketing campaigns and high-profile events, including the Koroga Festival, achieving 40% higher attendance than previous events
  • Drove campaign strategy, budgeting, and execution to maximize brand visibility and audience engagement
  • Established long-term media partnerships, increasing digital media engagement by 25%

Account Manager – Nokia Account

Youth Dynamix Ltd
11.2008 - 05.2012
  • Directed Nokia brand activations, increasing market penetration through innovative engagement strategies
  • Developed the Nokia Brand Ambassador program, leveraging university influencers to expand brand reach across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Mozambique
  • Optimized campaign effectiveness through post-event analysis, improving ROI on future marketing investments by 15%

Education

Bachelor of Arts - International Relations, Psychology

United States International University

Diploma in Professional Marketing -

Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)

Skills

  • Go-To-Market Strategy & Execution
  • Brand Management
  • Digital Marketing
  • Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Budget Management & ROI Optimization
  • Commercial Strategy & Business Growth
  • Strategic Brand Development
  • Consumer Insights & Data Analytics
  • Leadership & Cross Functional Team Management
  • Market Expansion & Revenue Growth
  • Sales experience
  • Social media engagement

Affiliations

  • Women on Boards Network (WoBN), Member
  • Kenya Aquatics Federation (KA), Team Delegate
  • Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Member

Timeline

Regional Marketing Manager – East, Central & West Africa Region - HMD Global Oy
08.2019 - Current
Marketing Manager (Carlsberg, Tuborg, Beam Suntory Brands) - King Beverage Ltd
02.2015 - 07.2019
Account Coordinator (Airtel Trace Music Stars Search) - Trace TV International
08.2014 - 01.2015
Account Manager – Marketing & Events - Capital FM Group Ltd
07.2012 - 08.2014
Account Manager – Nokia Account - Youth Dynamix Ltd
11.2008 - 05.2012
Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) - Diploma in Professional Marketing,
United States International University - Bachelor of Arts, International Relations, Psychology

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