Ananse AfricaFashion E-commerce and Digital Marketing Manager
Mar. 2023 - Feb. 2024South Africa, JohannesburgAt Ananse Africa, an innovative e-commerce platform dedicated to promoting the unique products of African designers across Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Senegal, I held a multifaceted role that combined creativity, project management, and digital marketing strategies. My responsibilities included the following:
1. **Fashion Shoots Coordination:** I was responsible for the comprehensive organization of remote monthly fashion shoots in five countries, totaling five shoots a month. This involved meticulous planning and coordination, where I liaised with a diverse range of creative professionals, including photographers, models, stylists, hair and makeup artists. I implemented a rigorous selection process to enhance the quality and creativity of each shoot. Each month, I developed detailed shot lists to ensure all necessary visuals were captured, adhering to deadlines and quality standards. My management skills were crucial in resolving any logistical issues that arose during the shoots, ensuring that the projects were executed seamlessly and on schedule.
2. **Training Event Management:** I orchestrated e-commerce and digital marketing training events targeted at local designers, averaging one event per country each month. In this role, I was responsible for organizing all logistics, which included securing venues, coordinating catering services, and selecting qualified speakers as facilitators. My efforts were aimed at empowering over 200 designers to navigate the digital landscape effectively, improving their marketing skills and e-commerce strategies. I worked closely with local design communities to tailor the training content, ensuring it was relevant and beneficial to their specific needs.
3. **Designer Relations and Training:** Building relationships with a diverse group of over 200 designers was integral to my role. I conducted monthly training sessions that provided guidance on how to effectively use their dashboards on the Ananse e-commerce marketplace. I created instructional materials and hands-on workshops designed to enhance their understanding of the platform's features, ultimately helping them optimize their listings and sales. This ongoing engagement fostered a sense of community and collaboration among designers, encouraging them to share best practices and learn from one another.
4. **Administrative Oversight:** All events and training sessions I managed required careful financial oversight. I maintained budgets for each event, ensuring that all expenditures were aligned with company goals. I was responsible for invoicing and processing payments, maintaining accurate records to facilitate audits and financial reviews. My organizational skills played a crucial role in mitigating costs while ensuring high-quality outcomes for all activities.
5. **Content Creation:** My role also involved creating engaging written content for our audience. I was responsible for writing weekly newsletters that informed our subscribers about new products, designer spotlights, and upcoming events. In addition, I crafted compelling product descriptions that highlighted the unique attributes of items listed on our platform, as well as creating over 100 designer biographies that showcased their backgrounds and design philosophy. This content not only enhanced the designers’ visibility but also cultivated a deeper connection with our customers.
6. **Product Management:** On a daily basis, I was tasked with listing an average of 30 designer products on the Ananse platform. This included taking high-quality images, drafting detailed product descriptions, and managing inventory levels. To keep our store fresh and relevant, I updated the storefront biweekly with current trending products, ensuring that our offerings accurately reflected customer interests and seasonal changes in fashion trends.
7. **Digital Marketing Alignment:** I oversaw the efforts of our outsourced digital marketing team, ensuring their strategies were in alignment with Ananse Africa’s brand objectives. I worked collaboratively with the marketing specialists to refine campaigns aimed at increasing brand awareness and driving traffic to our site. My role included analyzing performance metrics and providing recommendations for improvements, which helped enhance our online presence and user engagement.
8. **Technical Liaison:** In coordination with our site developers, I addressed technical issues related to the Ananse platform. I established a systematic process for identifying bugs and worked diligently to ensure they were resolved promptly to maintain user experience and functionality. Additionally, I developed and maintained a daily site testing schedule to proactively identify and remedy issues before they affected our customer’s experience.
9. **Campaign Production:** I organized and oversaw five fashion brand campaign shoots in each of the targeted countries, ensuring that each project was executed with a clear creative vision. This involved developing campaign concepts, coordinating the logistics of each shoot, and ensuring that the brand narratives were effectively communicated through visual storytelling. I was also involved in coordinating the production of ten brand videos featuring two designers from each country. This included overseeing filming, editing processes, and ensuring that the final products effectively showcased the designers’ creations while resonating with our audience.
Through my efforts at Ananse Africa, I contributed significantly to elevating the profiles of African designers in the global marketplace while fostering creativity and collaboration within the design community. My work not only helped empower designers with the necessary skills and tools for success but also positioned Ananse Africa as a key player in promoting African fashion and craftsmanship.