Kim Thornton

I build retail brands through integrated marketing, connecting strategy to execution to drive visibility, engagement, and sales. I combine strategic planning and commercial thinking, with a strong focus on executing initiatives that drive brand growth, deepen consumer engagement, and deliver commercial results. I bring a balance of analytical thinking and creative instinct, using consumer insights and market trends to inform decision-making.

With experience across PR, digital, social media, and in-store marketing, I take a 360° approach to building brands and delivering impactful campaigns. I am motivated by innovation, strong execution, and delivering measurable results.

Marketing Manager - Ares Holdings - Ted Baker - South Africa

(2024-10)

• I am responsible for leading the brand strategy and cross-channel alignment.
• Drive brand health in South Africa through aligned, consistent campaign messaging and content across channels.
• Develop and deliver integrated marketing strategies across brand, PR, social media, digital, and retail, aligned to overall brand and business goals.
• Lead and manage a high-performing marketing team, creating a collaborative and results-focused working environment.
• Drive brand awareness and visibility through 360° campaigns, including PR, influencer activity, content, in-store execution, and mall media.
• Manage the marketing budget, ensuring spend is allocated effectively across brand, performance, and in-store activity to maximise ROI and support sales.
• Use market trends, consumer insights, and competitor activity to inform strategy, identify opportunities, and improve campaign performance.
• Agency & stakeholder management of PR Agency, digital agency, and visual retail stakeholders.
• Development of the 5-year brand growth plan in South Africa.
• Global liaison for brand marketing and reporting.
• Trade marketing lead across retail and wholesale channels, aligning campaigns, product focus, and in-store visibility to drive footfall and sales.

Digital Marketing Operations Manager - Client Lead - Dentsu

(2017-06 - 2024-09)

• Leading a team within Ad Operations to ensure all campaigns are delivered in a correct and timely manner.
• Advising clients on products and innovation of partners for client brand strategies
• Responsible for the set-up, tracking, measurement, and performance of large omnichannel digital marketing campaigns to meet client business goals and KPI's.

Digital Campaign Manager - Associated Media Publishing - South Africa

(2016-08 - 2017-05)

• Managing the full cycle of digital advertising commercial and in-house marketing campaigns across all magazine titles online in the South African market
• Managing Content and Social Media campaigns for Beauty and Cosmetic Brands in SA.
• Campaign planning and execution, against set targets and budgets, with a clear focus on customer retention and sales

Digital Campaign Manager - Incubeta

(2014-11 - 2016-07)

• Managing banner and rich media campaigns in the Dutch and German market
• Campaign trafficking including video and display on ad server technology platforms: The Google Stack (Campaign Manager 360, DV360, Google Ads and DoubleClick Studio)

Digital Campaign Manager - Ad Dynamo

(2013-10 - 2014-10)

• Managing Online Banner Campaigns and Sponsored Influencer Campaigns in the Nigerian and South African markets
• Managing Publishers and Advertisers contacts within the company's CMS

Junior Researcher - FEM RESEARCH

(2011-01 - 2011-12)

• Report writing and copy editing.
• Conducting financial, economic and market research
• Quantitative and Qualitative research methods
• Conducting fieldwork and managing a fieldwork team
• Project management and administration
• Monitoring and evaluation of research projects, and data analysis
• Sector knowledge and involvement: Trade and Industry (small business development), Economic Development, Tourism, Agriculture, Clothing and Textiles, Social Development
• Thesis Research and University Research: Community Media and Socio-Economic Development in Khayelitsha, Deindustrialization and its effects on Female Factory Workers in Cape Town

BA Hons. - Political Communication - University of Cape Town (2013 - 2013)

BA General - Media & Writing; Industrial Sociology - University of Cape Town (2008 - 2008)

Matriculated - Pinelands High School (2005 - 2005)