#Newsmaker: Tracey Edwards - deputy MD at Ogilvy JHB

Together with MD Alistair Mokoena, Edwards will help drive agency growth and excellence in client service, while retaining her responsibilities on the KFC account. She has worked on a number of top brands including Avis, Coca-Cola, MultiChoice and Unilever over her 20-year career, which started in public relations at Leo Burnett.

Q: What does your new position entail?
A: My new position will entail exposure to more of our clients. As well as more involvement in developing systems and procedures that will help us deliver creativity both effectively and efficiently.

Q: What is at the top of your to do list?
A: Applying the learnings that I have acquired on KFC across the business. Not only do I want to be seen as a supplier, but also a creative solutions partner. Hence, I want to hire and structure our teams to deliver on this.

Q: What do you view as a key business challenge this year?
A: To ensure that, we as an agency become more commercially savvy and gear ourselves and our clients to deliver creative solutions on their business problem effectively.

Q: Why is ‘integrated communications’ so important today?
A: Integrated communications is important today because it ensures that marketing budgets are spent against one accurate, consistent message. And also, consolidated thinking and media-neutral solutions – solutions executed via best of breed partners.

Q: Most important attribute needed to do your job?
A: Tenacity.

Q: The biggest trend to note in your industry?
A: Collaboration/integrated communication.

Q: What inspires you?
A: I am inspired by great work and people with a positive attitude.

Q: What are you currently reading for work?
A: ‘Contagious’ by Johan Berger.

Q: Tell us something about yourself not generally known?
A: I don’t like swimming in cold water.

Q: At the top of my ‘bucket list’ is...
A: Less talk more action – develop a culture of DOING…