Johanne Sande

Seasoned marketing strategist and business leader with over 15 years of experience shaping brands, leading cross-functional teams, and driving commercial growth across East Africa’s dynamic markets. Expert in designing and executing high-impact Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies that bridge traditional and digital marketing. Proven track record of building strategic partnerships and managing full P&L operations to scale business revenue from the ground up.

Business & Growth Lead (GTM & Partnerships) at ADNEST AFRICA (2016-01 – Present)

• Business Growth: Launched operations and scaled client acquisition from 1 to 20+ active accounts by developing clear positioning and distinct value propositions.
• Financial Performance: Managed end-to-end business operations and full P&L, driving annual revenues to over Ksh 30 million within the first 3 years of operation.
• Partnership Strategy: Built strategic commercial partnerships and scalable packaging strategies that expanded market reach and accelerated campaign delivery.
• GTM Advisory: Advised emerging startups on brand development and localized go-to-market strategies to establish rapid market fit.
• Team Leadership: Led a multidisciplinary team delivering end-to-end brand campaigns, media planning, buying, and influencer partnerships.
• Digital Optimization: Integrated modern digital tools for market research, content creation, and performance tracking to enable faster campaign delivery.

Business Unit Head (Safaricom) at MINDSHARE AFRICA (WPP SCANGROUP) (2015-01 – 2015-11)

• Portfolio Management: Led the 360∘ strategic media planning, buying, and execution for Safaricom’s voice, data, mobile money, and B2B business units.
• Client Relations: Served as the primary client partner, coordinating with cross-agency teams to align media investments directly with key commercial KPIs.
• Financial Oversight: Supervised a high-performing execution team and managed multimillion-shilling budgets, driving ROI through data-led optimizations.

Media Strategist at CARAT KENYA (DENTSU AEGIS) (2012-06 – 2014-12)

• Global Brand Positioning: Designed and executed data-driven, cross-channel media strategies for major multinationals including Nokia, Mastercard, and General Motors.
• Market Insights: Conducted deep-dive audience analysis, market research, and competitive audits to design targeted media plans.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Coordinated closely with creative and media partners to ensure seamless execution and delivered performance audits to shape future campaigns.

Senior Media Planner at MINDSHARE KENYA (OGILVY EAST AFRICA) (2010-04 – 2012-05)

• Subscriber Growth: Developed integrated media plans across TV, radio, print, and out-of-home (OOH) platforms to support subscriber acquisition for MultiChoice.
• National Campaigns: Managed the communication strategy for the Committee of Experts’ national constitutional review campaign, ensuring message penetration across diverse regions.

Media Planner at MEDIA INITIATIVE EAST AFRICA (WPP SCANGROUP) (2009-05 – 2010-04)

• Client Portfolio: Managed strategic media planning and execution for high-profile regional brands, including East African Breweries Limited (EABL), Reckitt Benckiser, and Unga Ltd.
• Strategic Planning & Negotiation: Developed comprehensive media rationales and executed schedule bookings, actively negotiating high-value media packages to maximize client budget efficiency.
• Data-Driven Insights: Leveraged specialized industry research tools like Telmar to analyze audience data and optimize campaign targeting.
• Relationship & Financial Management: Maintained key partnerships between corporate clients and media houses while overseeing ad monitoring and invoice approvals to ensure seamless execution.

Personal Assistant to the Director of Programmes at KENNETH KAUNDA CHILDREN OF AFRICA FOUNDATION (2006-07 – 2008-08)

• Provided high-level administrative, scheduling, and logistical support to coordinate regional philanthropic initiatives and fundraising events.
• Managed communications with local and international stakeholders, government bodies, and donors.

Social Media & Website Manager at OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH (UN Volunteer) (2025-04 – 2025-07)

• Managed digital communication strategy across web and social media channels (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook) to boost engagement for global youth opportunities.

B-TECH in Economic Management Analysis – Tshwane University of Technology (2003 – 2006)

Certificate in Business Management – Pretoria Technikon (2002 – 2002)