Nicolas Kock
Verified Expert in Marketing
Marketing Expert
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Toptal member since March 27, 2024
Nicolas brings a decade of experience in marketing campaigns and sales and building connections across industries. Well-versed in expanding his global network, he has worked with big enterprise clients like L'Oréal, where he has planned an exclusive event and hair show for L'Oréal (SA), showcasing the latest trends. Nicolas specializes in brand activation training and equipping teams with strategies to execute campaigns effectively and looks forward to his next challenge.
Project Highlights
Expertise
- Brand Management
- Brand Strategy
- Marketing
- Marketing Channel Strategy
- Marketing Strategy
- Product Marketing
- Sales
- Social Media Marketing (SMM)
Work Experience
Brand Ambassador
Celcom Pty Ltd
- Improved brand guidelines, training sales, and marketing team members.
- Developed a new brand strategy, including brand licensing, and implemented the marketing strategy nationwide.
- Built and nurtured enduring customer relationships, identifying evolving needs and preferences; increased customer retention and upsell revenue.
- Identified cross-selling and upselling opportunities for existing customers and partners, increasing average deal size and recurring revenue growth.
- Conducted consumer behavior research and performed in-depth competitive analysis to identify market trends and uncover strategic opportunities, resulting in an increase in customer acquisition and informing targeted marketing strategies.
- Carried out comprehensive performance analysis and sales analysis of customer accounts, leveraging CRM tools like Pipedrive and data-driven insights to develop tailored sales management strategies that grow sales revenue and exceed financial goals.
- Orchestrated the development and implementation of an operational strategy that streamlined processes, resulting in reduced production time and cost savings annually.
- Initiated and established relationships with high-profile clients, increasing repeat business and expanding the customer base.
- Nurtured the growth of team members by providing personalized guidance and constructive feedback, empowering individuals to excel, and fostering a collaborative environment.
Employer Branding Specialist
Enercon GmBH
- Promoted to a team lead coordinator within 12 months due to strong performance and organizational impact.
- Crafted a powerful employer brand strategy, employing Hootsuite, social media, direct mail, and affiliates to grow awareness and build brand loyalty. Led corporate branding efforts to build an online audience of 150,000 followers organically.
- Incorporated data, analytics, and AI marketing tools and executed a data-driven content strategy, increasing website traffic by 25% and improving conversion rates by 10%.
- Streamlined vendor and agency partnerships, fostering robust relationships with universities nationwide for enhanced outreach and collaboration.
- Aligned applicants with the company's workplace values and ecosystem to attract, develop, and retain top talent. Defined the company culture and leveraged marketing tactics to show what made the company a great workplace.
Marketing Project Coordinator
Dimension Data
- Formulated transparent project plans, timelines, and budgets in collaboration with stakeholders, reducing bottlenecks and improving cross-functional coordination, with a 92% on-time delivery rate for projects and campaigns.
- Coached and navigated a team of seven graphic designers through each project, achieving higher quality work of 20% through leveraging Agile methodologies and continuously improving project management approaches.
- Enhanced efficiency and effectiveness by optimizing resource allocation, documenting project details, and ensuring quality assurance.
- Monitored and governed budgets and software sales, making data-driven decisions to maximize ROI while controlling expenses.
Brand Marketing Coordinator
Provantage Media Group
- Planned, co-produced, and executed a captivating hair show event, showcasing the latest trends, techniques, and products to a diverse audience.
- Trained and directed teams of 100 – 150 brand activation supervisors and promoters per campaign rollout.
- Improved brand campaigns targeting a client's product launch, resulting in a 20% boost in overall ROI for the advertising agency's account management team.
- Specialized in brand activation training, equipping teams with strategies for effective campaign development and execution. Trained staff on experiential marketing techniques, resulting in a 30% increase in successful brand activations.
- Led the ideation and execution of targeted below-the-line advertising (BTL) campaigns, resulting in a 25% increase in product trials for a tech client.
- Orchestrated experiential marketing initiatives, creating memorable brand experiences that generated a 30% rise in consumer engagement.
- Developed and implemented guerrilla marketing tactics, such as street teams, flash mobs, and shopper marketing, leading to a 20% increase in brand recall.
Brand Marketing Coordinator
The Creative Counsel
- Spearheaded the development of brand activation plans for FMCG clients such as Vodacom, DSTV, P&G, and Johnson & Johnson, resulting in a 30% increase in product visibility and market share.
- Implemented data-driven strategies to target key demographics, achieving a 25% improvement in campaign return on investment (ROI).
- Orchestrated experiential marketing initiatives, including in-store activations, leading to a 20% uplift in product trials and consumer engagement.
- Collaborated with retail partners to create retail marketing campaigns and immersive in-store displays, contributing to a 15% increase in sales during promotional periods.
- Designed and executed targeted product sampling programs, driving a 35% increase in brand awareness and customer acquisition. Utilized feedback mechanisms to refine sampling strategies, resulting in a 25% improvement in conversion rates.
- Implemented merchandising strategies and eye-catching point-of-sale (POS) materials, increasing product visibility by 40% on shelves. Conducted A/B testing on POS materials, optimizing displays, and contributing to a 20% improvement in product sales.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including sales and creative, to ensure alignment in brand messaging and promotional activities.
- Managed campaign budgets effectively, achieving a 10% cost reduction through negotiation with suppliers and streamlined processes. Implemented cost-effective digital campaigns, resulting in a 30% increase in online engagement and brand interaction.
Project History
Intouch Accessories | Product Development and Brand Strategy
Developed and implemented a groundbreaking brand strategy for Intouch, incorporating eco-friendly packaging and organic materials that rendered the new product line fully biodegradable.
Intouch’s commitment to sustainability was brought to the forefront with this initiative. I crafted a brand strategy that aligned with environmental values and resonated with the eco-conscious consumer. Introducing biodegradable products using organic materials has set a new industry standard, reflecting Intouch’s dedication to innovation and ecological responsibility.
Enercon GmbH | Social Media Strategy
Initiated and cultivated Enercon GmbH's social media presence, achieving an impressive milestone of 150,000 organic followers on LinkedIn within a year.
At Enercon GmbH, a pioneer in wind energy technology, I established the company’s social media footprint from the ground up. I successfully expanded our LinkedIn network by leveraging strategic content and community engagement, enhancing the brand’s visibility and industry influence.
L’Oréal Tecni Art Hair Show (Events)
Orchestrated an exclusive event and hair show for L'Oréal (SA), showcasing the latest trends and innovations in hair styling and care.
The L’Oréal event hair show was a curated spectacle of style and sophistication, bringing together industry professionals. As the organizer, I ensured a seamless integration of product demonstrations and live styling sessions, providing an immersive brand experience.
Virgin Mobile | Brand Activation
Spearheaded the conceptualization and execution of innovative brand activation campaigns for Virgin Mobile, creating brand awareness and significantly enhancing customer engagement in the South African market.
Virgin Mobile stands out in telecommunications with its customer-centric services and engaging marketing strategies. The brand activations I led were designed to create memorable experiences that resonate with the target audience, fostering a strong community around the brand.
Education
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Corporate Marketing and Communications
University of the Free State - Bloemfontein, South Africa
Certifications
Retail Marketing Strategy
LinkedIn Learning
Marketing Strategy: Relatable Video Content
LinkedIn Learning
Marketing Automation: How to Build a Successful Campaign
LinkedIn Learning
Marketing Analytics: Setting and Measuring KPIs
LinkedIn Learning
Learning Microsoft 365 Copilot
LinkedIn Learning
Integrated Marketing Communications Strategies
LinkedIn Learning
Hootsuite Platform Certification: 2 Advanced Uses
LinkedIn Learning
Hootsuite Platform Certification: 1 Hootsuite Fundamentals
LinkedIn Learning
Growing as a Marketing Manager
LinkedIn Learning
Generative AI for Digital Marketers
LinkedIn Learning
Developing Visual Campaigns
LinkedIn Learning
Be the Manager People Won't Leave
LinkedIn Learning
Skills
Core
Marketing, Product Marketing, Sales, Brand Strategy, Content Marketing Strategy, Brand Activation, Marketing Communications (MarCom), Copywriting, Social Media Content, Online Marketing, Social Media Marketing (SMM), Digital Marketing, Digital Marketing Strategy, Social Media, LinkedIn Marketing, Product Positioning, Marketing Collateral Development, Marketing Strategy, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), SEO Tools, Email Marketing, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), Marketing Leadership, Marketing Analytics, Marketing Campaigns, Marketing Automation, Branding, Social Media Strategy, Content Marketing, AI Marketing, Retail Marketing Campaigns, Sales Analysis, Software Sales, Responsive Email Templates
Platforms & Tools
Microsoft 365, Canva, Adobe Campaign
Business Models
Integrated Marketing Communications Planning, Market Positioning
Other
Brand Management, Personal Selling, Strategic Account Expansion, Relationship Management, Account Management, Marketing Channel Strategy, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Business Development, Organization, Client Relationship Management, Retail Training, Campaign Development, Microsoft Teams, Corporate Communications, Business Communication, Information Skills, Visual Communication, Communication, Development Communication, Management, B2B Marketing, Team Leadership, Presentations, Retail & Wholesale, Product Packaging, Hootsuite, Digital Project Management, Project Planning, Project Scoping, Project Design, Project Lifecycle, Project Management, Agile Project Management, Project Budget Management, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Creative Briefs, Meeting Briefings, Team Management, Advertising, Event Management, Microsoft Excel, Tourism, Value Proposition, Content Writing, Kissmetrics, Intercultural Communication, General Management, Internet Marketing, Employment Law, Slack, People Management, Visual Design, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Marketing Management, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Video Marketing, Event Marketing, Creative Direction, Event Coordination, Analytics, Product Innovation, Strategic Partnerships, Sustainable Design, Sales Pitches, Pitch Decks, Direct Mail, Pipedrive, Sales Management, Brand Licensing, Corporate Branding, OEM Account Management, Organizational Behavior (OB), Retail Sales, Customer Training
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