Unwana Ekpenyong

UNWANA EKPENYONG-AJAYI 📍 Dubai, UAE | ✉-| 📞- SENIOR DIGITAL & CUSTOMER MARKETING LEADER – EMEA REGION | OMNICHANNEL GROWTH STRATEGIST | DATA-DRIVEN PERFORMANCE A marketing professional with over a decade of experience leading omnichannel strategies across both B2B and B2C segments in the Middle East. Demonstrated success in driving performance marketing, conversion optimization, and customer engagement across paid media, SEO, CRM, and content platforms. Adept at managing multi-brand portfolios, overseeing agency partnerships, and aligning digital efforts with premium brand positioning. Skilled in leveraging marketing technology, data analytics, and user insights to deliver measurable business outcomes. Passionate about innovation, digital transformation, and shaping elevated customer experiences across every touchpoint. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 1. DIRECTOR, MARKETING STRATEGY & PARTNERSHIPS Eminence Media & Marketing | October 2024 – Present • • • • • • • • • Developing and executing multi-channel B2B marketing plans aligned with client revenue goals across the MEA region. Building branded content and digital storytelling to strengthen clients’ customers engagement and retention. Leading lifecycle marketing and CRM strategies to improve lead engagement and retention in support of clients’ business goals. Championing the development of proprietary marketing tools and campaign templates, improving automation, reporting, and internal process efficiency. Overseeing agency and client relationships, ensuring delivery of performance KPIs, brand guidelines, and contractual targets. Leveraging data analytics and consumer insights to refine marketing strategies and maximize ROI. Leading and executing paid media campaigns (Google Ads, Meta Ads, LinkedIn Ads) and SEO initiatives to drive qualified traffic to clients’ digital outlets. Implementing brand strategy for online marketplaces, including product positioning, bundling, and promotional campaigns. Leveraging structured reporting framework to track full-funnel performance metrics across digital channels, supporting data-driven planning, cross-functional reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives. 2. BRAND MANAGER, DIGITAL FIELD MARKETING – EMEA Marriott International Inc. | September 2022 – October 2024 • • • • • • • • • • 3. Developed and executed digital marketing strategies for over 20 luxury and premium hospitality and lifestyle brands across the EMEA region. Partnered with regional sales and operations teams to align marketing investment with revenue priorities and performance metrics. Led paid media campaigns across Google Ads, Meta, LinkedIn, and TikTok, managing budgets ranging from AED 8K to AED 250K/month with a strong focus on ROI and KPI-driven decisions. Directed website SEO audits and on-page/off-page optimization strategies, improving organic visibility and aligning with evolving algorithm standards. Collaborated with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders to ensure consistent brand messaging and campaign success. Supported execution and promotion of high-impact B2B events and partner conferences across the GCC, integrating campaign messaging with brand and relevant teams to drive awareness and qualified lead generation. Built CRM-driven engagement workflows and lifecycle campaigns for hotels, enhancing retention and personalized communication using segmented email journeys and remarketing tactics. Analyzed digital performance data, providing actionable insights to improve campaign efficiency and guest engagement. Managed multi-channel marketing campaigns, including social media, influencer partnerships, and email marketing. Established structured reporting cycles and KPI dashboards using GA4, Meta Suite, and Tableau to enable consistent performance tracking, campaign optimization, and quarterly alignment with client revenue targets and operational goals. MARKETING LEAD, AFRICA Westmont Hospitality Group | June 2019 – July 2022 • • • • • 2 Developed and executed omnichannel marketing strategies to strengthen brand and drive revenue growth for a portfolio of luxury and premium brands. Collaborated on CRM campaign design and segmentation strategies to improve repeat customer engagement and lifetime value. Managed the creation of engaging marketing content, optimizing brand storytelling across platforms. Led cross-functional collaborations, ensuring alignment between marketing, operations and sales strategies. Championed execution of seasonal marketing campaigns to drive customer acquisition and brand loyalty. • Led strategic planning and digital amplification for regional brand activations and hospitality conferences, aligning with brand communication goals and partnering with local influencers, media, and regional sales teams to maximize attendance and engagement. 4. DIGITAL FIELD MARKETING MANAGER – WEST CENTRAL AFRICA Marriott International Inc. | October 2016 – May 2019 • • • 5. • • • • • • Developed and executed integrated digital marketing strategies for multi-brand portfolios, aligning each campaign with distinct brand positioning and audience insights. Leveraged data analytics to identify consumer behavior trends and drive online sales growth. Managed digital advertising budgets and optimized paid media performance across online platforms. KEY SKILLS & EXPERTISE Omnichannel Marketing Strategy – Proven ability to build and optimize customer acquisition, brand loyalty and incremental revenue. Digital Marketing Execution – Expertise in SEO, paid media, content marketing, and conversion rate optimization. Stakeholder Management – Skilled at collaborating with cross-functional teams, agencies, and partners. Data-Driven Decision Making – Strong analytical skills to extract insights, optimize performance, and enhance consumer engagement. Multi-Platform Brand Growth – Experience in managing digital campaigns, influencer marketing, and product launches. Performance Tracking & Reporting – Proficient in monitoring performance, campaign effectiveness, and online KPIs using tools like Tableau, GA4 and Meta reporting. 3 6. • • EDUCATION Postgraduate Diploma – Digital Marketing Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK | 2015 Bachelor of Science – Mathematics & Statistics University of Port-Harcourt | 2009 7. • • • AWARDS & LEADERSHIP Marriott International Inc. 2023 Golden Circle Awards – Platinum Level (Recognizing outstanding achievement in marketing and sales) Content Marketing Champion, EMEA – Marriott International Inc. (2023 – 2024) Social Media Champion, AFIO – Marriott International Inc. (2016 – 2019) 4