Gianna Palyvou

About

When the story blurs, momentum slows or the next chapter needs a clearer voice, leaders bring me in to realign the business and prepare for what’s next. As an Interim CMO or Strategic Growth Director, I clarify positioning, create a simple rhythm so decisions get made and the work moves, and build the board and investor narrative that earns confidence and drives measurable growth. I believe progress begins with clarity and trust. I listen first, ask the hard questions, focus on the few moves that matter, and lead with calm precision that makes progress visible every week. Former Managing Partner at Ogilvy with full P&L responsibility for Vodafone UK. Work recognised for measurable impact, including the Wimbledon sponsorship campaign reframe (+11% brand consideration) and Closing the Digital Divide (~1M people; +153% uplift in brand empathy). Today, I help companies in transition across Telco, Tech/AI, Health and Wellness, and Consumer/D2C, find their story, structure and stride. Open to interim and fractional CMO roles, strategic growth mandates and transformation projects where clarity, alignment, and commercial traction are the goal.

Experience

• Interim CMO & Strategic Growth Director · G&P Leap11-01-2023 –

  Brought in by founders and boards to deliver clarity, traction and investor confidence during growth or transformation phases, leading short, high-impact sprints and interim mandates. Selected projects Spectral (NYC): Partnered with the founding team of a US AI company to shape its positioning, narrative, and go-to-market approach ahead of launch and fundraising. On (Distributor Growth Strategy): Authored a five-year brand and retail growth blueprint that directly supported multi-year contract renewal and new investor expansion. ZOE & ZOE@Sea: Designed concept-to-market launch for regenerative wellness experiences, securing partnership interest within the first month.

• Managing Partner / Client Lead (previously Client Partner) · Ogilvy UK04-01-2017 – 10-01-2023

  Led Vodafone UK’s integrated brand and customer-growth partnership with full P&L accountability. Oversaw multi-disciplinary teams across brand strategy, creative, digital, CX, account management delivering measurable brand and commercial transformation. Selected achievements: • Closing the Digital Divide: Connected 1M people; +153% uplift in brand empathy. Gold DMA (2022), Silver Effie UK (2023). • Wimbledon Sponsorship Reframe: Redefined Vodafone’s purpose through inclusive sports storytelling; +11% uplift in brand consideration. Silver DMA (2023). • Broadband Acquisition Programme: Delivered +55% quarter-on-quarter category growth and +25% uplift in monthly acquisitions. Silver DMA (2023, Customer Acquisition). Built and mentored a cross-functional team recognised for collaboration under pressure and strategic clarity. Maintained strong margins and client trust through transformation and market volatility.

• Business Director · Grey London04-01-2016 – 03-01-2017
• Client Director · Ogilvy05-01-2015 – 04-01-2016

  Communications Leadership: Led Broadband and Mobile Acquisition programmes and CRM strategy. Account Leadership: Diagnosed Client challenges and developed/delivered collaborative strategic solutions.

• Consultant Marketing Director · The Pink Group12-01-2014 – 05-01-2015

  B2B & B2C Marketing Strategy Advisory: Brand positioning, re-positioning and strategic direction. Marketing Communications Mix & Channel Strategy: Led from analysis to implementation planning. Competitive pitching

• EMEA Client Services (contract) · adam&eveDDB03-01-2012 – 01-01-2015

  Campaign Leadership: Led large-scale pan-European multichannel campaign planning and implementation, including digital advertising, radio production, outdoor communication and point of sale material. Digital & CRM: Delivered multi-stakeholder European eCRM and website development projects.

• Marketing communications & PR Consultant · GPalyvou - freelance09-01-2011 – 01-01-2012

  Integrated communication strategies and PR activities,for brand/product awareness, increasing sales and media endorsement.

• Solutions Principal - Interactive Media · EMC Consulting03-01-2010 – 09-01-2011

  Business Development: Collaborated with Tech/Analysts/Planning/UX to create proposals & RFPs. Major Clients: Barclays Retail Banking (5-year digital strategy); WorldPay (social media strategy). Organised and led discovery workshops, development of Strategic Plans, road maps and business cases working closely with Planning and UX design team

• Integrated EMEA Account Director - HP Personal Computing & Technology Services B2B · Publicis Modem London05-01-2008 – 03-01-2010

  Strategic Lead: Directed HP EMEA £4M account. Drove integrated marketing strategy and product launches. Developed and managed campaigns for HP multimillion integrated marketing account and promoted digital best practices across all EMEA markets

• Account Director - paneuropean account · TMW Unlimited01-01-2007 – 05-01-2008

  Client Partner for the multimillion Nissan Europe direct marketing communications account Developed and retained strong relationship/partnership with the Client at a pan-European and business unit level. Provided strategic thinking, planning communications strategies, developing & delivering CRM campaigns on a pan-European basis to deliver incremental revenue direct to the bottom line. Responsible for full financial management and control and business planning including identifying opportunities for sustainable account growth.

Education

• INSEADDesign Thinking and Creativity for Business
• University of BathMSc, Business Administration and Management, General
• Smart School of CoachingDiploma in Coaching excellence, Coaching

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