Victor Afolabi: A Marketing Strategist rides high as GDM’s helmsman
Chronicling the career trajectory of Mr. Victor Gbenga Afolabi, Group Chief Executive Officer, GDM Group, is certainly not a walk in the park. This is so, because this marketing and entrepreneurial icon has continued to make indelible marks in the marketing and media technology space given the high pedestal his leadership and managerial acumen have taken GDM Group to over the years.
GDM Group, a marketing & media technology company utilizes data intelligence and analytics to drive value for customers while also guaranteeing maximum ROl by integrating future thinking as an integral part of its marketing strategy.
Though a pharmacist by training, Afolabi has carved enviable niche outside his chosen pharmacy profession, given the inexplicable reality that he remains a strategic manager and brand marketing professional with an “innate ability to create an energized and consumer-centric culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and creative but tailored strategies”.
The GDM’s CEO is, undoubtedly, a serial entrepreneur who has sustainably midwifed several business ventures in Market access, healthcare, renewable energy, agriculture, and fintech founded the strategic direction. GDM Group has operations in three West African countries with a staff strength of over 200.
He is also the founder and curator of MarKHacK (the first-ever media and marketing hackathon in Nigeria) and AOT, the largest gathering of tech ecosystem players in Nigeria.
Mr. Afolabi garnered diverse career experience in mainly blue chip companies where he excelled and netted in many outstanding awards.
At various times and epochs, Afolabi displayed tenacity of purpose, loyalty and steel determination in his career pursuit.
He began his working career as a Pharmacist Intern in 2002 with the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria. In 2003, he secured a job as a Medical Representative with Evans Medical Nigeria Ple., a position he held until 2005.
In 2006, the young and dynamic Afolabi got an employment with Nestle Ple. as a Brand Specialist.
Like a man made for the top,
Afolabi’s career blossomed at Nestle Ple, and between 2006 and 2010 during which time he rose from Brand Manager (Maggi) to Brand Manager, Dairy.
While traversing the diverse career space, the savvy professional acquired core competences in Strategic and Brand Management, Business Strategies and Development, Marketing Communications and Strategy, Sales Management and Business Coaching, among others.
And for his outstanding professional performance over the years, Afolabi has garnered an array of awards, including prestigious MARKETING EDGE awards which include Leadership Award in Experiential Marketing and Outstanding Experiential Marketing Personality of the Decade. Others are BrandCom’s CEO of the Year 2020; Experiential Marketing CEO; and CEO of the Year 2021(Marketing Innovation).
The GDM boss is also a member and fellow of many associations and professional bodies. They include, Fellow, Chartered Institute of Public Diplomacy and Management (CIPDM); Full member, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN); Member, National Institute of Marketing, UK; Member,
Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN); Member, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON, now ARCON), among others.
Also, among his notable achievements, he was bestowed with the Excellence award by the Nigerian Top Executives in the Advertising, Marketing & PR Industry as part of the top 4% of all Nigerian Executives based on company size and international business network strength.
He successfully raised a fast-growing conglomerate to advantageous standards. His company was awarded the Most Outstanding Marketing Agency 2015.
In the same vein, he successfully provided commercial strategy and direct marketing execution for 68 Multinational brands; and implemented the largest social investment programme in Africa (Trader Moni)
Not yet done, Afolabi successfully implemented SAP system in three major countries in Nestlé Central and West Africa Region as Marketing Business Analyst, while achieving flawless transition and 100% End User competency rating in Nestlé Nigeria.
He was able to hone his impressive career after acquiring quality education in first-class rated institutions across the world as he attended: Owner Manager Program (OMP) at The Pan African University, Lagos Business School, 2012; Masters of Management Psychology, University of Ibadan, 2007; and B. Pharm, (Bachelor of Pharmacy), ABU Zaria, 2001.
He also holds a global Doctorate of Business Administration from Hult International Business School, Cambridge.
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