Regional Brand custodian

PETER CHEGE MUREU

PETER CHEGE MUREU, 26, is MoneyGram’s South and East Africa senior marketing executive. SHIRLEY GENGA found out how he rose to such a senior level at a young age

What does your job entail?

I am a brand builder and custodian. I develop and implement marketing plans in order to maximise transaction volumes and opportunities in the region. I work with regional teams, agents and marketing agencies. I design and execute profitable corridor marketing strategies and develop materials for advertising and merchandising. I liaise with global teams to align with corporate guidelines and ensure brand consistency.

I also ensure network visibility, measure key marketing initiatives, gather and analyse competitive information on marketing strategies and develop business relationships with marketing agencies/suppliers and agents in the region. I also build strong internal relationships between sending and recipient markets and manage regional marketing and signage budgets to ensure cost effectiveness and alignment with phasing. ?

What?makes?a person a great marketer?

Patience, a good ‘mouth piece’ and being a good listener.

Where did you study?

I joined USIU in 2006 to pursue a degree in International Business Administration and majored in Marketing. I graduated in 2009.

Is this your first job?

No. I worked at Creative Edge as an accounts executive and the accounts I handled included Chloride Exide, Alexander Forbes and Norda Industries. I also worked at MCL Saatchi and Saatchi as an accounts manager and handled Barclays accounts. My last place before my current job was at Sema House where I worked as the senior account executive and handled MoneyGram, Emirates and Engen accounts.

How did you rise up the ladder to a senior position at such a young age?

No secret really. It is all about working hard and someone will notice your passion. MoneyGram was also my client at Sema House and they noticed my passion and intuition in money transfer in Kenya.

You are currently posted in South Africa. When did you move there and did you experience culture shock?

I moved to South Africa in August. Having grown up in Nairobi, the culture shock was unbelievable.?

South Africa is very cosmopolitan. Living in areas like Sandton is like being in Europe. Everything, including the roads and buildings, is different. Road users are disciplined and stick to the systems. It is eye opening to live and work in South Africa, but I believe Kenya is heading there.

Any challenges?

Understanding the different cultures in the different countries that I operate in is sometimes challenging. My workmates are from all over the world.

I love my job because…

I am at a point in my career where I am building the brand from the inside, making decisions and coming up with ideas that directly influence the consumer. That is awesome to me. I also love travelling and meeting different people.

How do you keep yourself grounded and manage to balance both work and your personal life?

It boils down to having responsible time management and good priorities. I also have a great family, friends and an awesome fiancée; I am very grateful to God.

What advice would you give young people who would like to follow in your footsteps?

This may sound cliché, but nothing comes easy. I work smart and not hard but at the end of the day, one should take risks and grab opportunities around you, as they are always there.

What is your life’s philosophy?

The Serenity prayer is my philosophy: God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference.

In times of crisis, I…

Ask because I believe kuuliza sio ujinga (It does not mean you are foolish when you ask). Crisis and doubt comes when you least expect and the best way to handle the situation is to ask.

What do you do for fun?

Adventure sports like mountain hiking, bungee jumping, visiting theme parks and generally doing new things.

In the next ten years…

l will be back in Nairobi with my own family and a totally new marketing and brand building concept. I might also be working as an expert for a multinational or a chief executive/marketing officer.