#WomensMonth: There's no such thing as "too ambitious"
Roux has always had an immense passion for marketing, having already worked on brands such as SAB, Mondelez and Clover.
In her four years at Clover, career highlights have included being promoted from brand group manager of Tropika, Duo and Super M to marketing manager: Clover beverages, where she now looks after all juices, including Tropika, Duo, Krush, Quali, Clover Life Nectar; as well as flavoured milk brands Super M and Mmmilk; and the Clover family’s full soy portfolio. That’s ambition.
Roux is also proud of having successfully implementing new and innovative ideas on an already existing promotional platform on the Tropika brand, Tropika Island of Treasure.
If that name’s only ringing a slight bell of recognition for you, Roux explains that it’s a TV show that pairs celebrities with everyday consumers, to compete in various challenges on exotic islands, to win their share of R1m. Roux says:
Besides being an avenue to generate awareness for the Tropika brand, TIOT successfully drives sales for the brand. Together with my team, we brought back the TIOT campaign after a two-year break off air, and thus managed TIOT season 7, which was shot in the Seychelles and showcased between 2016 and 2017; as well as TIOT season 8, which was shot in the Maldives and showcased between 2017 and 2018; with TIOT9 coming in 2019.More ambition, paired with passion, purpose and persistence.
Here, Roux explains what it's like working on a brand like Tropika that’s not only one of Clover’s flagship brands but also the market leader in the short-life juice category; while also growing a strong presence in the media space, with Tropika Island of Treasure; as well as how she marries her brand management, marketing and media responsibilities…
You need to look at new ways to reach new consumers and ensure you’re retaining existing consumers at the same time.
What’s it like working on a brand like Tropika, with TOIT season 9 coming in 2019?
It is something very special and is a unique experience for any marketing manager. The product itself is in a category of its own, and because of this, it requires constant innovation, from both a product perspective and a marketing perspective.
The platform that was created in the form of Tropika Island of Treasure is something so unique, and a big asset for the Tropika brand.
It exposes you to a completely different type of marketing, which encompasses a 360-degree approach, where you are focusing on both sales and awareness, and also exposes you to new skills and experiences within the marketing function.
Not only are you having to produce a TV show, but you also need to factor in on-pack promotional marketing before and during the show; live activations and auditions before the show; profiling of various celebrities and consumer contestants through publicity before, during and after the show; and more – all of which needs to work together and be meticulously planned and executed, and ultimately needs to achieve the main objective of driving sales over a lengthy campaign period.TIOT does this very effectively.
That is quite the responsibility! How do you marry your marketing and media responsibilities?
For me, it’s essential to keep the brand top of mind and to remind myself of the role of the brand in our consumers’ lives.
Also, we are ultimately here to sell more product, so any campaign we run will always have a strong sales-linked element.
Let’s dive right into the milky waters of #WomensMonth then: Talk us through the need for better female representation in the creative industries
Public relations, marketing and advertising agencies are very powerful vehicles for communicating key messages to society. These industries are, however, to this day still very male-dominated.
We are slowly starting to see a change in some agencies and industries across the board where women are moving into higher positions, but it does need to happen faster, and more effectively.
Diversity is definitely needed within the creative industry. That’s why it’s so exciting as a female to be heading up one of the biggest brands within the FMCG space, as it provides an opportunity to empower other women in various ways.
That leads to my next question: How can businesses ensure more empowered females enter and shine in the local creative industries? Let’s end with a few tips for young females looking to follow in your footsteps.
Don’t ever be afraid to speak your mind or fear being seen as “too ambitious”. Let your voice be heard, and don’t back down in your beliefs – for yourself and for your brand. Dream big, work hard and do everything with passion and purpose.
Wise words. Keep up with Tropika Islands of Treasure and Roux on the following social channels: Roux on Twitter | Clover on Twitter | Tropika on Twitter | #TIOT8 | Roux on Instagram | Tropika on Instagram.
Also watch #TIOT8 winner Lisanne Lazarus, digital producer for the breakfast show on East Coast Radio, for a few more words of inspiration this #WomensMonth:
About Leigh Andrews
Leigh Andrews AKA the #MilkshakeQueen, is former Editor-in-Chief: Marketing & Media at Bizcommunity.com, with a passion for issues of diversity, inclusion and equality, and of course, gourmet food and drinks! She can be reached on Twitter at @Leigh_Andrews.
