Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Languages
Timeline
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Eftihia Gatopoulou

Eftihia Gatopoulou

Dubai,United Arab Emirates

Summary

Highly experienced Marketing professional with 10+ years in FMCG & 7+ years in Beer & Cider, in open (Europe) & dark markets (GCC).

Managed successfully FMCG global Megabrands, i.e. Lipton, Hellmann's, Dove, Rexona & leading Beer & Cider brands, i.e. Heineken, Tiger, Amstel, Birra Moretti, Estrella Damm, Kirin Ichiban, Noam, Strongbow, etc.

Results-oriented, P&L driven, with excellent leadership skills and strong business acumen.


Overview

23
23
years of professional experience

Work history

Head of Brands

Sirocco (Heineken & Emirates JV)
Dubai, GCC
07.2024 - Current
  • Responsible for 100% of Sirocco business, i.e. Heineken, Birra Moretti, Amstel, Kingfisher, Tiger, Estrella Damm, Kirin Ichiban, etc
  • Activated F1 for Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar in On & Off Trade & in Grand stands during grand prix


Senior Brand Manager Mainstream & Super Premium

Sirocco (Heineken & Emirates JV)
Dubai, GCC
04.2022 - 07.2024
  • Responsible for managing strategic brands of Sirocco portfolio, i.e. Birra Moretti, Amstel, Kingfisher, Tiger.
  • Launched Birra Moretti in Dubai, Bahrain & Qatar, achieving 132% volume growth in '24 vs '22 (launch year).
  • Revamped Amstel with locally developed 360 campaigns (#1 brand in mainstream).
  • Activated in On & Off Trade major sports sponsorships: Euros, FWC, RWC, Rugby 7s.
  • Managed successfully an extensive portfolio of brand principals, i.e. Estrella Damm, Kirin Ichiban, Noam, Paulaner, Hoffbrau, Thatcher's.

Country Marketing Manager

IKEA Al Futtaim
Dubai
09.2021 - 04.2022
  • Responsible for all marketing & communication activities in GCC region, ATL & BTL.
  • Used thorough marketing research to revamp IKEA Family loyalty program.
  • Led Marketing Automation project for IKEA website and app.


Head of Marketing & Innovation GCC & Export

Hunter Foods LLC
Dubai
12.2019 - 09.2021
  • Developed the Marketing department from zero basis identifying scope of work, processes & recruitment.
  • Introduced Consumer Insights & Data Intelligence to form a 3 year Strategy for GCC and Exports:
  • Conducted full portfolio rationalization, defined pricing strategies for the different markets.
  • Results: a) Hunters Gourmet #1 premium brand in the snacks segment (Nielsen) b) Lizi’s #5 in Cereals

Senior Marketing Manager Heineken & Super Premium

Heineken NV
Greece
01.2015 - 11.2018
  • Responsible for a 60mio$ Rev. business, 6mio$ A&P budget. Reporting to the Marketing Director, leading a team of 4 senior brand managers.
  • Stabilized 8-year continuous drop and fully repositioned Heineken, to make it relevant in changing business environment (economy in crisis).
  • Launched Heineken Light, Heineken 0.0, new draught systems, with “best in class” launch plans, best practices for other markets.
  • Fully leveraged key communication platforms to increase closeness and relevance, i.e. UEFA Champions League, International Music sponsorships, Formula 1
  • Developed award winning 360 campaign for Heineken & Fischer “It’s About Taste” (Best TV Ad in Greece for 2017, Grand Ermis Award’18).

Marketing Manager Beverages & Dressings

Unilever
Greece
09.2010 - 11.2014
  • Responsible for managing Lipton tea, Hellmann's & Maille.
  • Developed award winning integrated campaign for Lipton, "The Tea parties”, acknowledged as a “marketing excellence” from Unilever HQ and achieved double digit market growth for four consecutive years.
  • Launched 2 innovations that de-seasonalized the Tea market
  • Achieved market leadership for Hellmann’s in all 3 categories (mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard).
  • Successfully launched Maille in Greece and gain leadership in premium dressings segment.

Group Brand Manager Oral, Deos & Grooming

Unilever
Greece
09.2008 - 09.2010
  • Responsible for Aim/Signal, Dove, Axe/Lynx & Rexona.
  • Launched “Aim/Signal-White now”, #1 SKU in toothpaste market.
  • Grew Unilever’s value market share by 200 Bps approx. in Oral category


Senior Brand Manager, Heart Health Functional Food

Unilever
Greece
07.2005 - 09.2008

Group Brand Manager Luxury Brands

Estee Lauder
Greece
07.2003 - 07.2005
  • Responsible for luxury portfolio of cosmetics for Prada, R. Cavalli, Nina Ricci, Boss.


Advertising Sale Executive

Conde Nast-Vogue Magazine
Greece
05.2002 - 06.2003
  • Responsible for Fashion & Luxury brands clientele, i.e. Estee Lauder, High fashion brands, etc

Education

Diploma - Digital Marketing, Customer Engagement, Social Media

Emeritus Institute of Management

Master of Science - Marketing Management

Aston Business School

Bachelor of Science - Economics & Marketing

University of Wales, Aberystwyth

Skills

  • Brand Building of Global brands through localized 360 marketing plans
  • Award winning campaigns & activations (online & offline)
  • Performance Marketing
  • CRM & Loyalty
  • Marketing Automation
  • Consumer Insights & Intelligence
  • Excellent project management & analytical skills
  • Experience in activating major global platforms like F1, Sports platforms: UCL, FWC, Rugby, Cricket

Languages

English
Proficient (C2)
Greek
Native
Italian
Intermediate
Spanish
Intermediate

Timeline

Head of Brands

Sirocco (Heineken & Emirates JV)
07.2024 - Current

Senior Brand Manager Mainstream & Super Premium

Sirocco (Heineken & Emirates JV)
04.2022 - 07.2024

Country Marketing Manager

IKEA Al Futtaim
09.2021 - 04.2022

Head of Marketing & Innovation GCC & Export

Hunter Foods LLC
12.2019 - 09.2021

Senior Marketing Manager Heineken & Super Premium

Heineken NV
01.2015 - 11.2018

Marketing Manager Beverages & Dressings

Unilever
09.2010 - 11.2014

Group Brand Manager Oral, Deos & Grooming

Unilever
09.2008 - 09.2010

Senior Brand Manager, Heart Health Functional Food

Unilever
07.2005 - 09.2008

Group Brand Manager Luxury Brands

Estee Lauder
07.2003 - 07.2005

Advertising Sale Executive

Conde Nast-Vogue Magazine
05.2002 - 06.2003

Diploma - Digital Marketing, Customer Engagement, Social Media

Emeritus Institute of Management

Master of Science - Marketing Management

Aston Business School

Bachelor of Science - Economics & Marketing

University of Wales, Aberystwyth
Eftihia Gatopoulou