Carmen Murray

Futurist, cultural forecaster and transformation strategist with more than two decades of experience spanning marketing, communications, technology, consumer behaviour, research, connected marketing and strategic foresight. Carmen works at the intersection of culture, human behaviour, technology, helping organisations understand what is changing, why it matters, what may happen next and how to translate the change into strategy, growth and action though a systems thinking approach, and have a strong background in African Markets. She is also a protege of Faith Popcorn, the Nostradamus of Marketing.

Futurist, Cultural Forecaster and Transformation Strategist - Carmen Murray Communications - Johannesburg, South Africa

(2017-01)

Lead a multidisciplinary foresight, strategy and marketing consultancy that helps organisations translate market shifts into strategy, growth and commercially relevant action.

• Advise executives, boards and marketing leaders on Future Focussed Marketing, growth, transformation, brand, market expansion, customer experience and future readiness—particularly where organisations face complexity, disruption or uncertainty.
• Develop and execute end to end strategies spanning brand positioning, value propositions, go-to-market, communications, CX, creative, digital/performance, content, PR/media and connected marketing, moving clients from strategic insight to implementation.
• Lead research and intelligence programmes to identify emerging opportunities, risks, unmet needs and shifts in demand.
• Turn complex signals into actionable commercial decisions to clarify what is changing, why it matters and what organisations should do next.
• Build and activate creative solutions from strategy, overseeing content, campaigns, brand experiences, events, thought leadership and other market-facing executions designed to create relevance, engagement, acquisition, retention and growth.
• Build future ready capability within organisations through executive briefings, masterclasses, learning immersions, strategic workshops and leadership programmes that strengthen innovation and decision-making.

Founder - Conscious LeadHERS - South Africa

(2024-01)

Leadership and future readiness platform focused on women, visibility, economic opportunity and shaping the future.

Creator - Authentic Intelligence Framework - Carmen Murray Communications

(2020-01)

Framework for understanding and strengthening human intelligence and behaviour in an AI-driven world, including judgement, adaptability, critical thinking, creativity, trust and human-centred decision-making.

Founder & Host - The Carmen Murray Show - Carmen Murray Communications

(2017-01)

Global podcast exploring culture, technology, leadership, business and the future, reaching audiences in 87+ countries.

Mobile Innovations Officer - Mobitainment - South Africa

(2014-05 - 2017-01)

Leading mobile marketing authority in South Africa.

• Revenue generation, client acquisition, product and service development, client retention and marketing strategy across ATL, TTL and BTL.
• Introduced 183 new clients and developed more than 40 marketing projects across major brands which included apps, marketing activations and emerging technology integrations
• Advised clients on marketing trends, buying behaviour and strategies to improve effectiveness and commercial impact.
• Campaign experience included Standard Bank, Multichoice, Engen, Unilever, Midas, Shell, Disney, Nivea and Mr Price.
• Served on the MMA committee; contributed to corporate identity, staff incentives and introduction of new technologies and service providers.

Marketing Specialist - Demographica - South Africa

(2012-03 - 2014-04)

Leading B2B marketing agency in South Africa. Managed a portfolio of 66 clients and multi-million-rand budgets in a 30-member agency environment.

• Developed integrated multi-channel campaigns; one campaign moved sales from 60% of budget to 102%, representing a projected R34 million quarterly opportunity.
• Led the launch of 21 new products across multiple brands and media platforms, contributing to multi-million-rand annual sales.
• Improved acquisition and retention through CRM and loyalty initiatives; conducted consumer research, demographic profiling and trend workshops.
• Generated 6–8% campaign response rates and finished each year an average of 15% under budget.
• Secured approximately one-third of Demographica revenue among nine marketing specialists through business development and new-client acquisition and product development

Business & Market Development - Jobs.co.za - South Africa

(2011-01 - 2012-12)

Digital job portal.

• Expanded the client base by 78% through business development, client service and integrated marketing results.
• Closed new business including an account worth more than R1 million with a leading engineering company.
• Developed integrated advertising and IT solutions aligned to client strategies and audience needs.

Luxury Brand Executive - Jenna Clifford / Picot & Moss - South Africa

(2011-01 - 2012-12)

Bespoke and fine jewellery. Represented luxury jewellery and watch brands across sales, marketing, partnerships, events and high-end customer engagement.

• Identified partner synergies to increase revenue growth and engagement with celebrities and high-end consumers.

Managing Member - Palatial Events - South Africa

(2009-01 - 2012-12)

Event marketing agency. Led marketing, finance, client management, sourcing, business development and event execution.

• Built annual revenue of more than R1 million and delivered corporate, charity, conference and major event work, including FIFA World Cup-related events.

Postgraduate Diploma - Management Practice - Henley Business School Africa (2020-01 - 2022-12)

Executive Development Programmes - Multiple - Henley Business School Africa (2024-01)

Train the Trainer Specialist - Modern Marketing, AI, Tech, Data, CX, & Consumer behaviour - The Connected Marketer (2017-01)

Certified Digital Marketing Professional - Digital Marketing - Digital Marketing Institute (2017-01)

Professional Mobile Marketing Practitioner - Mobile Marketing - Institute of Data & Marketing (2016-01)

Certificate - Evidence Based Marketing Fundamentals - Kirsty Dugmore (2018-01)

Specialist Practice - Netnography & Digital Cultural Intelligence - Self directed specialist practice (2018-01)

Certified Numerologist and Human Design Specialist - Numerology and Human Design - Sandy's Numerology (2022-01 - 2023-12)

BCompt - Commerce - UNISA (2001-01)