Yellowwood, a trailblazer in strategic marketing consulting, proudly announces the appointment of Wandile Nzimakwe as the Growth and Innovation Strategy Director, further solidifying its commitment to strategies and innovation across industries that drive brand-led growth.
Wandile, has been an integral part of Yellowwood’s journey since 2017 when he joined as a Strategy Analyst. Demonstrating remarkable agility and foresight, he transitioned to the Data Strategy Department within Yellowwood, driven by a relentless passion for building data-led strategies that challenge conventional thinking.
During his six years, Wandile led groundbreaking brand and marketing strategy projects and initiatives across a diverse spectrum of sectors including Aviation, Automotive, Technology, Venture Capitalist, Financial Services, Telco, and FMCG, among others. His extensive international experience across multiple geographies including Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Zambia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Malawi, Côte d’Ivoire, Slovenia, and France, has uniquely positioned him to be at the forefront of data-led strategic thinking that unlocks sustainable topline growth. After a brief tenure at Deloitte Africa, Wandile returned to Yellowwood in January 2023 to assume the role of Senior Data Strategist. In this new role, he spearheaded innovation strategies for small businesses and startups through Yellowwood’s revolutionary brand innovation engine, Good Ideas x Good Brands (GIxGB) Labs, and NEXT, a disruptive innovation practice developed by some of the best minds in the TBWA\Worldwide collective.
Wandile’s works to create impact beyond Yellowwood, as evidenced by his involvement in esteemed events such as the Burning Heroes Start-up Awards and featured in Brands&Branding 2023, the 28th edition. Wandile also played a pivotal role in reimagining Yellowwood’s GenNext Youth Behaviour Report and the Sunday Times GenNext Coolest Brands Awards. Rooted in the realms of Social Science, Economics, and Data, Wandile holds a Bachelor of Social Science degree in Government, Business, and Ethics, a B.Com Honours Degree in Economics from UKZN, and a Programming for Data Science Nano Degree from Udacity. His professional journey encompasses roles at Lindon Corporation, Urban-Econ Development Economists, BMI Research (A FitchSolutions Company), and Deloitte Africa, showcasing his versatility and expertise.
In commenting on his new role: “I am incredibly excited to start this new chapter within a business and discipline that I love. I look forward to continuing to deliver unconventional strategies and innovations that drive sustainable brand-led growth across sectors and geographies. I am particularly excited by the opportunity to develop the next generation of strategists”.
Refilwe Maluleke, Managing Director at Yellowwood, emphasises the transformative impact of Wandile’s appointment, underscoring its significance for Yellowwood, the TBWA\ Collective, and clients alike.
“Wandile has played a significant role in the evolution of Yellowwood over the past several years and it has been a privilege to see his well-earned rise from Analyst to Director. There is no one better suited to shape the future of our business and our industry”.
