Michael Ikhariale

Marketing and Communications leader with 20+ years of experience building premium brand perception, developing integrated marketing strategies, and leading executive and client communications. Experienced in brand positioning, stakeholder engagement, marketing campaigns, corporate storytelling, and managing multidisciplinary creative teams. Proven ability to strengthen brand reputation, translate business objectives into compelling client experiences, and deliver consistent communication across digital, executive, and customer touchpoints.

Communications & Content Lead / Strategic Communications Specialist at Zowasel (2025-02 – 2025-08)

Served as strategic communications adviser to the Founder and executive leadership, translating business priorities into integrated communication strategies for investors, development partners, regulators, staff, and farming communities.

• Developed enterprise communication strategies supporting brand positioning, stakeholder engagement, digital marketing, and organizational growth.
• Designed governance frameworks including communication workflows, editorial calendars, approval systems, messaging standards, and brand guidelines that improved communication consistency across departments.
• Led integrated communication campaigns across digital platforms, corporate channels, websites, newsletters, and executive communications aligned with business objectives.
• Directed executive communication initiatives including CEO presentations, speeches, media materials, stakeholder messaging, and corporate communication assets.
• Developed audience-specific messaging for executives, partners, farmers, regulators, and external stakeholders, adapting complex information into compelling stories that increased understanding, engagement, and organizational credibility.
• Produced content across websites, LinkedIn, newsletters, executive presentations, blogs, and multimedia channels while maintaining consistent messaging and editorial quality.
• Simplified complex agricultural, regulatory, and sustainability concepts into accessible communication frameworks supporting farmer education and stakeholder engagement.
• Managed crisis communication initiatives, media enquiries, internal communications, and strategic messaging across multiple stakeholder groups.
• Collaborated with executive leadership, board members, NGOs, international development partners, media organizations, and cross-functional teams to align communication with organizational priorities.
• Supervised multidisciplinary communication and creative teams while implementing KPIs, SOPs, quality standards, and communication governance.
• Prepared executive reports covering campaign performance, digital engagement, ROI, website performance, social media growth, and strategic communication outcomes.

Founder & Executive Media Strategy Lead at Cinamon Media Limited (2014-01 – Present)

Founded and scaled an integrated media, branding, and communications consultancy delivering strategic marketing, brand communications, and executive media solutions for corporate organizations and premium brands.

• Built a profitable media and communications business generating annual revenues of up to ₦18 million.
• Provided strategic leadership across multidisciplinary teams delivering integrated communication, branding, marketing, and media projects.
• Directed cross-functional professionals across photography, videography, branding, design, digital marketing, and client engagement.
• Recruited, mentored, and evaluated creative professionals while establishing performance standards and operational excellence.
• Developed integrated brand and marketing strategies that strengthened corporate positioning, elevated client perception, and increased market visibility for corporate and premium brands.
• Advised founders and executive clients on brand positioning, marketing communications, proposal strategy, and executive messaging to strengthen client confidence and support business development.
• Produced strategic communication assets including website content, thought leadership articles, newsletters, campaign messaging, executive profiles, multimedia storytelling, and digital content designed to strengthen brand reputation and audience engagement.
• Led campaign planning from strategic concept through execution across digital, print, events, and multimedia channels.
• Supported business development through communication strategies that generated repeat engagements from corporate clients.
• Established operational systems including project workflows, content calendars, asset management processes, approval frameworks, and production governance.
• Directed vendor relationships, project execution, quality assurance, and communication standards across concurrent projects.
• Reduced production inefficiencies through standardized workflows and communication processes that minimized rework and improved delivery consistency.
• Delivered executive communication assets including keynote presentations, corporate documentaries, investor communication materials, executive interviews, and brand campaigns.
• Managed stakeholder communication for corporate events, executive engagements, conferences, and high-profile brand activations.
• Produced over 4,000 communication assets supporting brand awareness, executive visibility, and organizational storytelling.

Creative Lead at Vantage Studio, Lagos (2021-01 – 2024-12)

Led commercial brand communications and multidisciplinary production teams delivering integrated marketing and communication solutions.

• Directed client communication, vendor relationships, project execution, production budgets, and quality assurance.
• Implemented operational systems that improved delivery efficiency and cross-functional collaboration.

Art Director at The Bridge Empire Consultancy (2019-01 – 2020-12)

Directed visual communication strategy supporting international education and corporate marketing initiatives.

• Developed scalable communication systems aligned with marketing objectives, stakeholder engagement, and brand consistency.
• Collaborated with HR and leadership teams to develop structured communication assets supporting onboarding and organizational learning.

Team Lead, Broadcasting at Enterprise Television Network (2017-01 – 2019-12)

Managed live broadcast communication, production governance, brand identity, and technical operations.

• Led multidisciplinary teams delivering broadcast-quality communication under high-pressure operational environments.
• Implemented workflow improvements reducing production errors while strengthening operational efficiency.

Director of Photography at Nimbuss Agency (2015-01 – 2017-12)

Managed live broadcast communication, production governance, brand identity, and technical operations.

• Led multidisciplinary teams delivering broadcast-quality communication under high-pressure operational environments.
• Implemented workflow improvements reducing production errors while strengthening operational efficiency.

Studio Manager at Fotokunta Studio (2002-01 – 2008-12)

Promoted from apprentice to Studio Manager based on technical performance and leadership capability.

• Increased studio revenue 4x through service innovation, operational improvements, and premium offerings.
• Managed pricing strategy, vendor relationships, budgeting, resource allocation, and staff development.
• Trained and supervised five creative professionals while overseeing daily business operations.

Advanced Diploma in Web Development & Multimedia – New Horizons (2012-01 – 2014-12)

Professional Training in Photography & Studio Management – Fotokunta Studio (2002-01 – 2008-12)