About 2b-insight 2b-development 2b-strategy More about Debi Mc Donald Get in touch
 
My passions in life are travelling to exotic places to experience new cultures & religions; running with my dogs & having lazy lunches with friends & family. Travelling always makes me realise though what a special country we live in & how, on our doorstep, we have an eclectic mix of our own 'exotic' cultures & religions which so many of us don't take the time or have the opportunity to get to know or experience. I feel privileged that through my market research & marketing career I have had the opportunity to be close to who our South African consumers are & where they are going - & hence one of my main passions of understanding different cultures & people is fed on a daily basis.

I believe that the time is now right for me to extend my passion for understanding consumers & the broader world of brands to a business dream of developing others in the skills that I have learnt over the last 14 years & consulting on strategic business & brand issues. I believe that through my 7 years market research experience & 7 years of brand marketing experience, I have a well-rounded skill set that understands the importance & value of being able to see the bigger picture through translating & integrating data in to meaningful insight & hence actionable strategy that is in line with the business or brand objective/s.

My market research experience consists of the following:


  • Market research executive at Research Surveys, Johannesburg: 1993-1995
  • Senior market research executive at Business Development Research Consultants, London: 1995 - 1997
  • Business Information Consultant at South African Breweries, Johannesburg: 1998 - 2001

My brand marketing experience is as follows:


  • Brand/Senior Brand Manager on Pyotts at National Brands Limited, Johannesburg: 2001 - 2003
  • Marketing Manager on Pyotts Portfolio at National Brands Limited, Johannesburg: 2003-2005
  • Marketing Manager on Tea Portfolio at Entyce Beverages, a division of National Brands Limited, Johannesburg: 2005-2007

The highlights of my career have been:


  • writing & presenting a dual paper in July 2000 at the Esomar Ethnic Marketing Conference, Paris, on Cultural Adaptation and Differences From A South African Perspective
  • the launch of VitaSnack in 2003 which within 5 months was the 2nd biggest cracker brand within South Africa & won a PMR award for the 2nd most innovative FMCG launch
  • having the privilege to oversee the Five Roses brand & taking it to number one brand status in the South African tea market
I hope that I can share my passion for insight & strategy with you too……
 
"It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look, which morally we can do. To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts." Henry David Thoreau