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#WiMMeets Khensani Nobanda - Group Executive: Marketing & Corporate Affairs at Nedbank Group

04 April 2022

#WiMMeets Khensani Nobanda -  Group Executive: Marketing & Corporate Affairs at Nedbank Group


Welcome to #WiMMeets - a series of short interviews with marketing leaders from across Africa and around the world. The series presents a different side to senior professionals with the aim to share the things that matter to them and inspire others. 

In this interview, we sat down with Khensani Nobanda, Group Executive for Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Nedbank Group.

As both the executive in charge of marketing, and a member of the Nedbank Group executive leadership, Khensani ensures the cohesive and consistent alignment between marketing messaging, brand positioning and business objectives across the group, while also providing strategic input into various Nedbank structures, committees, and partnerships.

Khensani joined Nedbank in September 2017, as Executive Head of Group Marketing, before being promoted to her current role, and the Nedbank Group Exco, in May 2018. Her more than 20-year marketing career has afforded her invaluable experience in several leading South African and multinational organisations. After starting out as an assistant brand manager at Unilever, she rose through the ranks to eventually head up the Skin Category for Unilever in Africa, Middle East, and Turkey. This was followed by various leadership and executive roles in Diageo, South African Breweries and Vodacom, before joining Nedbank.

She is passionate about brands and the potential they have to deliver tangible value to consumers, and more broadly to society, by being purpose led and value driven.

Khensani has a BCom from the University of the Witwatersrand, and an MBA from GIBS. She is a member of the board of Effie Awards South Africa, a regular member of the judging panel for the Loeries and Bookmarks Awards, and a sought-after public speaker. Kensi has amassed several accolades in recognition of her contribution to the industry, including top honours as winner of the Loeries 2021 “Marketing Leadership & Innovation” award and the “Marketing Industry Leader of the Year” by AdFocus. 

 

WiM Africa: What gives you energy and drives you forward when you are not feeling at the top of your game?

KN: I’m an achievement focused person, so what keeps me focused is really keeping my eye on the goal, of what I’m trying to achieve. So whilst I might falter in some instances, I remind myself of what I want to achieve and that gives me energy. I also find that taking time out from work helps – whether it’s a 40 min run during the day to focus on something else, or taking a random Wednesday off to go have a long lazy lunch. Putting my energy somewhere else actually gives me the best energy to do my best work.

 

WiM Africa: Which advertising campaign, from any brand, has been the most memorable for you and why?

KN: I have to selfishly say the Nedbank secrets campaign. Firstly, for a bank to do a campaign like that where we produced a 15 min movie (and launched it like it was a real movie), was just a game changer for the industry. Of course we won many awards for it, including the coveted Loeries Grand Prix, but the impact on our brand was also really positive. For me personally, it certainly was the bravest campaign I’ve ever launched. Outside of Nedbank, I really like the latest work for SA Tourism. I like it because it not only tells the story of why people should visit South Africa, but as a South African, it gives me so much pride in our country, and I think that’s important.

 

WiM Africa: What three pieces of advice would you give to a woman marketer aspiring to a senior position about getting to and staying at the top of their profession?

KN: Firstly, always be curious. For me curiosity means everyday I learn, everyday I grow, and that shows in the work that we do. Secondly, be passionate about what you do. It sounds like a cliché, but because I love what I do, and I love the Nedbank brand, it really feels personal to me that our marketing team deliver work that grows our business. And finally, surround yourself with the best team. People who are smarter than you even. Your role is to create an inspiring vision, and unleash the collective power of your team to achieve that vision. I always say I want to work with the best. The best team, the best agencies, because that means we will then be the best.

 

WiM Africa: Which one person, dead or alive, would you say inspires you the most and why?

KN: Oprah Winfrey by a mile. I love her zest for life. I love that she has chosen to live her life her way without caring what the public thinks. Obviously she’s immensely successful and is a powerful role model. I admire how she has a tight group of girlfriends who support each other. And then of course, I admire the fact that she gives back to society in the way that she has. Oprah has made an impact on society. And when you consider her background, her story is even more inspiring.

 

WiM Africa: If you were stuck on a desert island what three things, excluding electronics, could you not do without?

KN: Ha ha ha, I would have said my iPad as I can read, watch series and play scrabble whilst I’m on the island. Outside of electronics, I’d have to say some cases of good bubbly, a suitcase full of books to read and my hubby Nelson to keep me company. The plan is to get rescued so obviously my 3 things are impractical. But I hope hubby brings the practical things like a solid knife, water desalinator as well as a blow torch. Then I think we’ll be good.

 

Discover more #WiMMeets interviews here!



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