I am a strategic brand and growth leader with twenty years of experience defining narrative, positioning and operating clarity for complex, early and scaling organisations. I have held senior roles including Managing Partner for Vodafone UK with full commercial responsibility and now partner with founders and boards to articulate new categories, shape audience understanding and build brand and content systems that make unfamiliar products intelligible and usable. I excel when the product is complex and the category is undefined, helping teams turn ideas into coherent stories and actionable plans. I work across the UK and Europe with founders, boards and cross-functional teams to articulate audience insight, set brand direction and deliver go-to-market models, content systems and partnerships that accelerate growth and long-term value. My approach combines narrative architecture, category framing and operating clarity to ensure every touchpoint reinforces a consistent, compelling story.

Gianna Palyvou

I am a strategic brand and growth leader with twenty years of experience defining narrative, positioning and operating clarity for complex, early and scaling organisations. I have held senior roles including Managing Partner for Vodafone UK with full commercial responsibility and now partner with founders and boards to articulate new categories, shape audience understanding and build brand and content systems that make unfamiliar products intelligible and usable. I excel when the product is complex and the category is undefined, helping teams turn ideas into coherent stories and actionable plans. I work across the UK and Europe with founders, boards and cross-functional teams to articulate audience insight, set brand direction and deliver go-to-market models, content systems and partnerships that accelerate growth and long-term value. My approach combines narrative architecture, category framing and operating clarity to ensure every touchpoint reinforces a consistent, compelling story.

Available to hire

I am a strategic brand and growth leader with twenty years of experience defining narrative, positioning and operating clarity for complex, early and scaling organisations. I have held senior roles including Managing Partner for Vodafone UK with full commercial responsibility and now partner with founders and boards to articulate new categories, shape audience understanding and build brand and content systems that make unfamiliar products intelligible and usable. I excel when the product is complex and the category is undefined, helping teams turn ideas into coherent stories and actionable plans.

I work across the UK and Europe with founders, boards and cross-functional teams to articulate audience insight, set brand direction and deliver go-to-market models, content systems and partnerships that accelerate growth and long-term value. My approach combines narrative architecture, category framing and operating clarity to ensure every touchpoint reinforces a consistent, compelling story.

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Experience Level

Expert
Expert

Language

English
Fluent
Greek, Modern
Fluent
Italian
Advanced
French
Advanced
Spanish; Castilian
Advanced

Work Experience

Strategic Growth Director at G&P LEAP LTD International
November 1, 2023 - Present
Trusted by founders and boards to deliver strategic growth, brand transformation and investor-facing narratives, and to frame go-to-market plans for pilots and fundraising phases. Selected projects include Spectral (NYC, AI/Fintech): designed investor-ready positioning and GTM plan; On (Distributor, Greece/Cyprus): authored 5-year growth blueprint. ABH Medical Group repositioning and loyalty growth; ZOE & ZOE@Sea rapid GTM models securing investor interest.
Managing Partner at Ogilvy UK TeamRed (Vodafone UK)
April 1, 2017 - November 1, 2023
Held full commercial responsibility for Vodafone UK's £8M/year strategic partnership, leading brand, customer and growth strategy across a multi-year remit. Led cross-functional teams of 30+ across brand strategy, marketing planning, CX, digital acquisition, sponsorship, creative and commercial operations. Delivered platforms like Closing the Digital Divide (connected over 1M people; +153% uplift in brand empathy) and reframed Wimbledon Sponsorship narrative to drive +11% uplift in brand consideration; Vodafone broadband acquisition drove +55% QoQ category growth and +25% uplift in monthly acquisitions.
Business Director at GREY London - Vodafone Demand Generation
April 1, 2016 - March 1, 2017
Helped secure Vodafone's Demand Generation account through a successful pitch; led integrated digital performance and programmatic marketing work, delivering +35% uplift in conversion rates and accelerating acquisition. Awarded Best Use of Programmatic – Performance Marketing Awards.
Client Director (Contract) at OgilvyOne - BT Consumer
May 1, 2015 - March 1, 2016
Engaged on a three-month mandate to repair a strained senior relationship; retained for a full year to lead broadband, mobile acquisition and CRM strategy.
Interim Client Services Director at adam & eveDDB (ExxonMobil Europe)
April 1, 2012 - April 1, 2015
Directed pan-European CRM and digital programmes; managed complex, multi-stakeholder eCRM and web development initiatives across European markets.
Fractional Marketing Consultant at London
September 1, 2011 - April 1, 2012
Directed brand strategy and integrated marketing planning for B2B and lifestyle clients.
Senior Consultant at EMC Consulting (Barclays, WorldPay)
March 1, 2010 - August 1, 2011
Developed 5-year digital growth roadmap for Barclays; led strategic digital and social platform initiatives supporting WorldPay's global expansion.
EMEA Business Lead at Publicis Modem (Hewlett-Packard)
May 1, 2008 - March 1, 2010
Managed HP's €4M EMEA B2B and B2C programmes; aligned marketing strategy across international markets, driving commercial alignment between regional teams.
Client Partner at TMW (Nissan Europe)
January 1, 2007 - May 1, 2008
Led Pan-European CRM programmes across multiple markets; delivered integrated acquisition and retention initiatives supporting new vehicle launches and brand loyalty.
Account Director at OgilvyOne Athens
May 1, 2005 - December 1, 2006
Delivered CRM strategy and activation programmes for global FMCG brands including Nestlé, Mattel and British American Tobacco.
Events Operations Manager at Olympic & Paralympic Games Athens
October 1, 2002 - November 1, 2004
Managed venue strategy and operations as part of Olympic planning and delivery team.

Education

Executive Programme at INSEAD
January 11, 2030 - January 19, 2026
MSc Management at University of Bath, School of Management
January 11, 2030 - January 19, 2026
LLB (Hons) Law at University of Athens (Ethniko kai Kapodistriako), Law School
January 11, 2030 - January 19, 2026

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Telecommunications, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Retail, Software & Internet
    paper Strategic Brand & Growth Portfolio
    A summary of my expertise selection of my strategic projects portfolio experience strategy