Stephen Dede
Greater Sudbury,Canada
Summary
Experienced marketing and communication specialist with over a decade of expertise in go-to-market strategies, user acquisition, and communications. Proven track record of contributing to business revenue goals through effective marketing strategies. Skilled in leveraging content as a marketing channel and a communication tool for optimized engagement with external and internal stakeholders. Expertise includes digital marketing, SEO, content marketing, writing, and brand management.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Content Marketing Lead
Fincra
03.2022 - Current
- Leading Fincra’s end-to-end content marketing strategy, from ideation to execution and distribution, driving a cohesive approach across multiple platforms
- Managing content initiatives across social media, SEO-optimized articles, PR pieces, events, videos, and podcasts, ensuring a dynamic publishing and content recycling cadence that maximizes engagement
- Spearheading SEO efforts that have driven more than 50% of the company’s year-on-year leads via SERP, contributing to a measurable increase in lead volume and customer acquisition
- Collaborating cross-functionally with Design, Product, and Sales teams to shape Fincra’s brand identity, product narrative, and key use cases
- Partnering with the Sales team to use content as a primary lead generation channel, playing a critical role in customer acquisition and pipeline growth
- Directing Fincra’s communication and PR strategies, delivering cohesive, impactful messaging across platforms and enhancing brand visibility
- Heading a marketing team for Kele (digital bank) a B2C product of Fincra, driving thousands of downloads and signups organically, with zero marketing spend
- Leading Public and Media Relations initiatives to strengthen Fincra’s media presence, increasing brand awareness across key markets
- Serving as Deputy Manager to the Marketing Lead, contributing to branding, marketing, and acquisition strategies that have consistently achieved over 90% of annual lead and revenue targets
Editor In-Chief
Pulse
11.2021 - 02.2022
- Led the newsroom for Pulse’s international media products (Pulse and Pulse Sports), overseeing teams of journalists, videographers, social media managers, and video presenters to deliver high-quality content
- Directed content strategy and planning, ensuring comprehensive news coverage across all Pulse digital platforms while maintaining editorial excellence and a consistent flow of engaging content
- Harmonized the efforts of editorial, video, and social media teams to create a synergistic content operation, resulting in a significant boost in key performance metrics across all platforms
- Managed a multidisciplinary team of content creators, including journalists, writers, digital marketers, and presenters, ensuring seamless content production and distribution across all digital channels
- Drove sales efforts by aligning content strategies with client business goals and playing a key role in revenue generation
- Exceeded revenue targets by leading the media sales team to achieve over 100% of its revenue goals
- Executed impactful marketing strategies, contributing to enhanced brand positioning, awareness, and market penetration for Pulse media brand
- Represented Pulse at industry conferences and events, elevating the company’s profile, enhancing brand visibility, and attracting new business opportunities
Senior Editor and Account Manager
Pulse
10.2019 - 11.2021
- Led the Entertainment, Sports, and Lifestyle desk, overseeing content creation and strategy for these key categories, which consistently contributed over 50% of total traffic to Pulse’s digital platforms
- Managed client relationships, leveraging content to help brands meet their business objectives, and ensuring seamless alignment between content strategy and client goals
- Collaborated with top brands across various industries, executing targeted content marketing strategies that drove significant revenue for Pulse
- Covered high-profile events, delivering comprehensive content coverage for Pulse while simultaneously meeting the bespoke content needs of clients, maximizing brand exposure and audience engagement
Editor
Pulse
12.2016 - 09.2019
- Produced daily editorial, video, and social media content across multiple digital platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, the website, and YouTube, driving audience engagement and platform growth
- Led the Sports Desk, ensuring comprehensive coverage of trending and exclusive stories and events, positioning Pulse as a go-to source for sports news
- Collaborated closely with the sales team, developing bespoke content solutions tailored to meet clients' specific business needs, contributing to revenue generation and client satisfaction
Senior Reporter
Pulse
02.2016 - 12.2016
- Consistently met daily publishing targets, delivering a mix of trending stories, exclusives, interviews, and commentaries, contributing to Pulse’s timely and engaging content flow
- Covered both local and international events, providing in-depth coverage that resonated with audiences across platforms
- Collaborated with editors and senior editors, ensuring all content adhered to Pulse’s approved guidelines and style, maintaining the platform's editorial standards
- Cultivated strong relationships with key sources in the sports and entertainment industry, securing exclusive insights and ensuring Pulse remained a standout news platform
Reporter
Pulse
11.2014 - 01.2016
- Developed editorial content in entertainment, sports, and pop culture, producing engaging stories that aligned with Pulse Nigeria’s audience interests and drove high engagement
- Researched and wrote over 25 content pieces weekly, consistently meeting high-output demands while maintaining editorial quality and relevance
- Conducted comprehensive media monitoring across digital and offline channels to ensure timely coverage of trending stories, keeping Pulse at the forefront of breaking news
Senior Reporter/Newspaper Manager
Nigeria Entertainment Today (NET)
01.2014 - 10.2014
- Collaborated with journalists and researchers to ensure up-to-date, comprehensive coverage for weekly newspaper production
- Managed relationships with outsourced printers and distributors, ensuring timely availability and distribution of the newspaper in the market
- Led sales strategies for the newspaper, identifying optimal sales locations, timing, and methods to maximize distribution and visibility
- Oversaw the entire production process, from content creation to printing and sales, meticulously maintaining sales records and implementing strategies to boost circulation and expand market reach
Reporter
Entertainment and Sunday Express
11.2011 - 12.2013
- Investigated, researched, and wrote articles for the bi-weekly Entertainment and Sunday Express newspapers, delivering in-depth features and timely reports
- Covered major entertainment events, providing on-the-ground reporting and exclusive content for the newspaper
- Conducted interviews with celebrities, producing feature stories that captivated readers and elevated the newspaper’s profile
- Attended police and court briefings, with a focus on uncovering compelling human-interest stories for publication
- Increased the newspaper’s online followers by well over 100% year-on-year, through strategic social media management and engaging digital content initiatives
Intern
The Pointer Newspaper
01.2011 - 06.2011
- Reported on local news and provided timely updates on stories
- Covered community events, highlighting important issues and celebrations
- Built alliances with local communities and leaders, fostering positive relationships through consistent, constructive news reporting
- Played an active role in community building by sharing stories that promoted development and unity
Education
MBA - Enabling E-Commerce
Nexford University
Washington, DC07.2022
Bachelor of Science - Botany
Delta State University
12.2010
Skills
- Writing (editorial, creative and copy writing)
- Digital Marketing
- Marketing
- Public Relations
- Research
- Sales promotion and direct marketing
- SEO Optimization
- Content Marketing
- Content Management
- Social Media Marketing
- Public Speaking
- Brand and Product Management
- Event Management
- Team Leadership
- Strong verbal communication
- Extremely organized
- Crisis management
Accomplishments
- Played a key role in driving more than 50% of Fincra's annual revenue through inbound marketing efforts, surpassing the outbound sales team’s performance year-on-year.
- Ensured content became a key lead generation channel, with over 60% of marketing leads driven by Google through successful SEO strategies.
- I co-host The LooseTalk Podcast one of the most popular podcast for Nigerians including the diaspora in Canada, United States etc.
- Host of Star Lager Beer's 'Football Unusual': Hosted live viewing events for soccer matches during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, alongside renowned Nigerian former footballers, enhancing fan engagement and brand visibility for Star Lager Beer.
Languages
English
Certification
- The Fundamentals of Digital Marketing from Google Digital Garage
- Sports Business Management Certificate issued by Lagos Business School (LBS) and LaLiga Business School (LBS)
- Proficiency Certificate in Management from the Nigerian Institute of Management Accountants (NIM)
- Marketing in a Digital World from Coursera
- The Digital Marketing Revolution from Coursera
- Certificate in Growth hacking & performance marketing from Udemy
Timeline
Content Marketing Lead
Fincra
03.2022 - Current
Editor In-Chief
Pulse
11.2021 - 02.2022
Senior Editor and Account Manager
Pulse
10.2019 - 11.2021
Editor
Pulse
12.2016 - 09.2019
Senior Reporter
Pulse
02.2016 - 12.2016
Reporter
Pulse
11.2014 - 01.2016
Senior Reporter/Newspaper Manager
Nigeria Entertainment Today (NET)
01.2014 - 10.2014
Reporter
Entertainment and Sunday Express
11.2011 - 12.2013
Intern
The Pointer Newspaper
01.2011 - 06.2011
Bachelor of Science - Botany
Delta State University
- The Fundamentals of Digital Marketing from Google Digital Garage
- Sports Business Management Certificate issued by Lagos Business School (LBS) and LaLiga Business School (LBS)
- Proficiency Certificate in Management from the Nigerian Institute of Management Accountants (NIM)
- Marketing in a Digital World from Coursera
- The Digital Marketing Revolution from Coursera
- Certificate in Growth hacking & performance marketing from Udemy
MBA - Enabling E-Commerce
Nexford University
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