How did you land this job?

I have a very diverse background. I actually started out producing commercials and developing marketing strategies as an account executive for advertising agencies like McCann Erickson and Prism Communications. I was actually destined for Wisynco, it seems, as five years prior to joining the company I worked both on the production of their “I am Jamaican” BIGGA commercial campaign and was a talent for their print, billboard and calendar execution. I joined the company in 2010 as trade promotions manager and was recently promoted to marketing executive/brand manager when the position became available.

How long have you had this job?

My marketing background extends seven years; however, I have been at Wisynco for the past three years.

What’s great about your job?

This job is great for a number of reasons. From an execution standpoint, there is a great deal of room for creativity and flexibility that one is afforded in order to really grow the business. As someone with an avaricious appetite for knowledge, working with international brands like Kellogg’s and Unilever provides a broad scope of learning and best practices applied worldwide and across the region and has really proven to be the best training ground for any marketer. Last, but not least, the ‘people element’. Interaction with people from all walks and ways of life, understanding the minds of the consumer, customers and even fellow colleagues is a key factor in the success of the brands of a marketing exec and arguably the most fulfilling. Wisynco, a forward-thinking company itself, is also a very dynamic work space, filled with wonderfully colourful, bright shining stars, visionaries and all-round good people, creating an environment conducive to high-quality performance. The company as a whole is admirably very big on giving back to the community, and one of my most rewarding stints working here has been our participation in the poverty reduction, programme partnering with JSIF where we employ, mentor and groom the potential of inner-city youth in need of employment. All in all it is a great challenge, and challenge always creates opportunity… opportunity to be better, to be the best, and I am given that opportunity every day. There is always something new to conquer… it never gets old.

Tell us something we might not know about your brand.

Kellogg’s:

Fun Fact: We in Jamaica tend to refer to every brand of cereal as “Corn Flakes” in layman’s terms growing up…the originators of the product and hence the term is the Kellogg’s Company.

The accidental legacy of corn flakes goes back to the late-19th century, when a team of Seventh-day Adventists began to develop new foods to adhere to the vegetarian diet recommended by the church. Members of the group experimented with a number of different grains, including wheat, oats, rice, barley, and corn. In 1894, Dr John Harvey Kellogg used these recipes as part of a strict vegetarian regimen for his patients, which also included no alcohol, tobacco, or caffeine.

Kellogg’s produces cereal and convenient foods, including cookies, crackers, toaster pastries, cereal bars, fruit-flavoured snacks, frozen waffles, and vegetarian foods. The company’s brands include Corn Flakes, Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies, Special K, Coco Pops,Pringles, Pop-Tarts and Nutri-Grain. Keebler has marketed its brands such as Cheez-Its, Chips Deluxe, Club Crackers, E.L. Fudge Cookies, Famous Amos Cookies, Fudge Shoppe Cookies, Murray cookies, Austin, Vienna Fingers, Town House Crackers, Wheatables, among others.

Unilever:

Most people are not familiar with the company name itself and how extensive the lines carried by the Unilever grocery brand are…including one of Jamaica’s number one teas — Red Rose. Other brands include Lipton yellow label and herbal line, Ben and Jerry’s as well as Breyers ice creams and novelties, Hellman’s Mayonnaise, Ragu, (one of the sponsors of the recent Jamaica Observer Food Awards Sheriff’s Booth) and Wish Bone salad dressings.

Why are your products so attractive to customers?

The Kellogg’s and Unilever brands are of premium quality. Rest assured the consumer is always getting BANG for their buck, a very important factor for this target market who tend to always want the best for their families. Remember, these brands are mandated to meet world standards. Aside from that, the very wide, diverse range of products tend to not only be delicious and enjoyable, but there is something for everyone… Breyers lactose-free ice cream for the lactose intolerant, Special K for the active woman’s weight management lifestyle, Keebler snacks, Frosted Flakes and Fruit Loops for the kids and the young at heart, I can’t believe it’s not butter for the health-conscious… and so much more!

Where can customers find out more about your brand?

www.wisynco.com

www.unilever.com

www.kelloggs.com

Current promotions running in your neighbourhood supermarket:

Frosted Flakes promotion

Favourite Keebler Summer Crackers in-store promotion and online contest (www.wisynco.com for details)

I Can’t believe it’s not butter in-store promotion