Digital Strategist, Marianna Boguslavsky

NAME: Marianna Boguslavsky

AGE: No self-respecting woman over 25 would ever disclose her age

FROM: Cape Town, South Africa

JOB TITLE: Digital Strategist & Marketing Consultant

When did you first arrive in Dubai? In January 2013, after a six-month stint in Abu Dhabi – arriving in Dubai was quite a welcome change.

Tell us about your role… I work as a Digital and Social Media Consultant, and run my own digital marketing agency, working with clients in the UAE and South Africa. I basically spend most of my days researching, conceptualising, creating and compiling strategies and content plans.

Where did you work prior? I ran my own digital marketing consultancy in Cape Town working with clients including a leading UK recruitment firm, a SaaS company who are Google’s only enterprise partner in South Africa, an online retailer, a private university in Cape Town, and an established author, amongst others. Before launching my own company, I spent the past year working as a Digital Strategist at a global advertising agency in Dubai working with brands like BMW, MINI, Siemens & Peroni.

What were your first impressions of the media industry in the Middle East? When it comes to digital, the Middle East is a bit behind the rest of the world but I think they’re catching up pretty fast.

What challenges do you face? The lack of digital and social media knowledge in the region, as well as the need to educate my clients about the way to utilise digital/social platforms.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job? Finding a way to make a difference to my clients’ businesses – be it from the perfectly constructed tweet that engages the consumer, to a new website that drives leads.

What sets you apart from other Marketing Executives? I have worked for corporates, startups and NGOs, with my work experience spanning seven years and three continents.

Work calls via landline, mobile or both? Mobile.

Describe yourself in five words… Passionate, energetic, enthusiastic, driven, ambitious.

What’s your most overused saying? ‘’We’re going to take it to another level’’

Five things you can’t live without? My husband (ok, I know he’s not a thing but I would get in trouble for not mentioning him!), my iPhone, books, sushi and hair straightener.

If you weren’t in Marketing, what would you be? Running my own online magazine… or a sushi restaurant.