I am a marketing professional with over 15 years of experience in traditional, brand + digital marketing, PR, and content strategy. I have a track record of delivering high-impact campaigns for luxury, travel and consumer brands, and excel in stakeholder management, digital creative direction, and growth-driven strategies that enhance brand visibility and engagement. I am adept at developing multi-channel marketing initiatives, increasing lead generation, and optimizing ROI. I thrive in leading cross-functional teams to deliver integrated campaigns on time and with strong service standards. I am a mother of two who leads with empathy, resilience, and precision. I also perform as a semi-professional stand-up comedian in cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg, Lisbon, Barcelona, and Rome, which has sharpened my communication, cultural awareness, and creative problem-solving. Outside of work I love travel, UNESCO World Heritage sites, history, architecture, art galleries and cooking, and these interests continually inform my storytelling, brand building, and audience engagement.…

Melissa Ohlsson

I am a marketing professional with over 15 years of experience in traditional, brand + digital marketing, PR, and content strategy. I have a track record of delivering high-impact campaigns for luxury, travel and consumer brands, and excel in stakeholder management, digital creative direction, and growth-driven strategies that enhance brand visibility and engagement. I am adept at developing multi-channel marketing initiatives, increasing lead generation, and optimizing ROI. I thrive in leading cross-functional teams to deliver integrated campaigns on time and with strong service standards. I am a mother of two who leads with empathy, resilience, and precision. I also perform as a semi-professional stand-up comedian in cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg, Lisbon, Barcelona, and Rome, which has sharpened my communication, cultural awareness, and creative problem-solving. Outside of work I love travel, UNESCO World Heritage sites, history, architecture, art galleries and cooking, and these interests continually inform my storytelling, brand building, and audience engagement.…

Available to hire

I am a marketing professional with over 15 years of experience in traditional, brand + digital marketing, PR, and content strategy. I have a track record of delivering high-impact campaigns for luxury, travel and consumer brands, and excel in stakeholder management, digital creative direction, and growth-driven strategies that enhance brand visibility and engagement. I am adept at developing multi-channel marketing initiatives, increasing lead generation, and optimizing ROI. I thrive in leading cross-functional teams to deliver integrated campaigns on time and with strong service standards.

I am a mother of two who leads with empathy, resilience, and precision. I also perform as a semi-professional stand-up comedian in cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg, Lisbon, Barcelona, and Rome, which has sharpened my communication, cultural awareness, and creative problem-solving. Outside of work I love travel, UNESCO World Heritage sites, history, architecture, art galleries and cooking, and these interests continually inform my storytelling, brand building, and audience engagement.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent
Afrikaans
Advanced
Xhosa
Advanced
French
Beginner

Work Experience

Freelance Group Account Director at Ogilvy CPT
October 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Led strategic planning and execution of integrated marketing campaigns for global clients; led cross-disciplinary teams across digital, social media, print, and broadcast; conducted performance reviews; developed pitches; secured new business; strengthened client retention.
Lead Strategist / Head of Strategy at Flowz LLC
January 1, 2024 - September 30, 2024
Led strategic planning and execution of integrated marketing campaigns for global clients including Marriott International, Turkish Airlines, Pepsi, Dunlop, and Shiseido. Managed multi-disciplinary teams across digital, social media, print, and broadcast channels. Conducted performance reviews and ROI analysis. Developed pitches and secured new business opportunities.
Head of Strategy at Volt Africa (Independent Media)
January 1, 2021 - July 31, 2021
Led strategy development and execution for Africa's independent media network; aligned growth initiatives across platforms and strengthened cross-team collaboration.
Marketing Manager – Events at Young Presidents' Organization (YPO)
July 1, 2022 - July 31, 2023
Developed and executed marketing strategies for global events; created engaging content for corporate audiences; collaborated with event teams to maximize attendance and brand exposure.
Senior Social Marketing Specialist at Native VML
June 1, 2017 - March 31, 2018
Developed social media strategies; liaised with creative teams on social media concepts for brand campaigns; provided live event coverage; managed Pernod Ricard portfolio (Jameson, Absolut Vodka, Chivas Regal); managed paid media briefs.
Account Manager at VIVID LUXURY
January 1, 2014 - February 28, 2015
Led PR and digital campaigns for luxury clients; managed paid media briefs, content creation, and client engagement.
PR + Marketing Liaison Africa
June 1, 2012 - January 31, 2014
Liaised PR and marketing across Africa; built relationships with media and brands.
Head of Client Services at Fame Connect
May 1, 2025 - Present
Led client services strategy and account management across a diverse portfolio of brands, acting as the primary senior point of contact for key clients. Onboarding, retention and growth; translated business objectives into influencer, social and digital campaigns; managed cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution, budget alignment, and on-time delivery; maintained high service standards. Drove long-term partnerships through strategic planning, performance reporting, and proactive relationship management. AI prompting for podcast topics.
Group Account Director at OLGivy CPT
October 1, 2024 - December 1, 2024
Led strategic planning and execution of integrated marketing campaigns for global clients including Marriott International, Turkish Airlines, Pep, Dunlop, and Shiseidō. Managed multi-discipline teams across digital, social, print, and broadcast channels. Conducted performance reviews and reporting, providing actionable insights to optimize campaign effectiveness and ROI. Freed up global quarterly marketing strategies across 5 international locations.
Global Marketing Consultant at Steenberg Wines, Tokyo
July 1, 2023 - December 1, 2023
Developed integrated marketing plans for local and global brand expansion. Managed execution of multi-channel marketing strategies across digital, trade, and key accounts. Conceptualized brand events and collaborated with event managers on implementation. Drove brand awareness through digital and influencer marketing initiatives.
Marketing Strategist – Events at Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO)
July 1, 2022 - July 1, 2023
Developed and executed marketing strategies for YPO Global Events & Trade Shows. Partnered with event teams to craft engaging content for high-profile corporate gatherings. Managed lifecycle campaigns to maximize event participation and brand exposure.
Digital Marketing Manager at Smile 90.4 FM
March 1, 2018 - December 1, 2020
Oversaw digital content production for website, social media, and app platforms. Led campaign strategies, digital creative direction, and community engagement. Implemented tools like Google Analytics, Sprout Social, and Hootsuite. Led the team to win a National Radio Award for Best Multichannel Promotion.
Senior Social Media Manager at Native VML
October 1, 2015 - May 1, 2017
Social media strategies, liaising with creative teams on social media concepts for brand campaigns; live social media coverage of events; managed Pernod Ricard portfolio; paid media briefs; delivery of paid campaigns and strategy.
Account Manager at Vivid Luxe
January 1, 2014 - February 1, 2015
Led PR and digital campaigns for luxury clients; managed media relations, event activations, and online campaign execution.

Education

BJMC (Bachelor of Journalism + Mass Communication) at Varsity College
January 1, 2004 - January 1, 2007
Digital Marketing Course at GetSmarter (UCT Short Course)
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2009
Marketing & E-Commerce Specialization Course at UCT Short Course
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2023
Bachelor of Journalism + Mass Communication (BJM C) at Varsity College
January 1, 2004 - January 1, 2007
Digital Marketing Course at GetSmart (UCT Short Course)
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2009
Postgrad Diploma: Creative Leadership at Red & Yellow
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2011

Qualifications

Digital Marketing Course (GetSmarter)
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2009
Marketing & E-Commerce Specialization Course
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2023
Marketing & E-Commerce Specialisation Course
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2023
Bachelor of Journalism + Mass Communication (BJM C)
January 1, 2004 - January 1, 2007
Digital Marketing Course
January 1, 2009 - April 20, 2026
Postgrad Diploma: Creative Leadership
January 1, 2011 - April 20, 2026
Marketing & E-Commerce Specialisation Course
January 1, 2023 - April 20, 2026

Industry Experience

Professional Services, Consumer Goods, Financial Services, Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization, Retail, Software & Internet, Travel & Hospitality, Education

Skills

Experience Level