Kayode Akinyemi is an accomplished and versatile strategic communications practitioner whose professional experience spans over two decades in strategic communications, brand management, public relations, journalism (print & broadcast), advertising and marketing. His hands-on experience in the critical fields of strategic corporate communication and extensive network of contact in the industry has combined to make him a consummate public relations/communications practitioner and a media/marketing communications expert. As a manager of people and resources, he has led several multidisciplinary teams and managed multi-billion Naira projects, each delivering on and exceeding his mandate.
He is an experienced reputation management/brand building professional, Akinyemi succeeded in implanting the Skye Bank brand in the consciousness of every household in Nigeria and beyond. He was also instrumental to the high visibility and immense mileage enjoyed by the Bank in the Nigerian press.
It is of interest to note that he was the pioneer Head of Brand/Corporate Communications of Skye Bank Plc (now Polaris Bank) from its inception in January 2006 after the successful and seamless merger and acquisition of five legacy banks (Prudent, EIB, Bond, Reliance and Cooperative Banks).
During this period to 2011 that he left the bank, Kayode led the brand and communication team that strategically positioned the bank from obscurity to visibility from number 21 out of the then 24 banks to become one of the top 10 within four years, and also one of the Systematically Important Banks (SIB) with the award winning campaigns such like ‘SAYING YES’ and ‘HAKUNA MATATA’ and other brand equity activities.
A graduate of Mass Communication and an alumni of the prestigious Pan Atlantic University/Lagos Business School, he started his career with a stint in Radio Nigeria 2 as a Reporter in 1988, he Veered to Public Relations/advertising career with Vantage Advertising in 1994 and served in different capacities in media, client service and advertising production. It was from there he went to Centrespread Advertising in 1998 as Manager, Client Service where he was responsible for brand management, relationship marketing, among others.
In the quest for total experience in the communication industry, he moved to Vanguard Media Limited in 1999 as Head of Advertisement/Special Projects Department where he turned the fortune of the newspaper around through brand positioning from hitherto woman oriented newspaper to business focused publication, the feat which boost advertisement patronage for the newspaper. From there, he moved to Optimum Exposures Limited in 2001, the leading outdoor advertising firm in Nigeria and member of Troyka Group. He was Head of Marketing/Customer Services where he also excelled.
In October 2011, he resigned as the Head of Corporate Communications at Skye Bank Plc., where he was responsible for the design, implementation and evaluation of appropriate programmes and projects aimed at projecting the image of the bank nationwide. He was also in charge of the bank’s internal and external communications which involve dealing with and engaging the media and developing and executing the bank’s advertising and promotional programmes. He also advises management on issues within the domain of the media and other publics as well as managing those issues. He performed the role for six years.
Before the merger of the legacy banks that formed Skye Bank Plc in 2005, he was the Head of Corporate Communications of the legacy Prudent Bank, the principal vehicle for the merger, where he also anchored and engineered the conceptualization and implementation of the bank’s integrated marketing communications strategies.
He was appointed the Official Representative of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on April 30, 2012 and by July 2012 he was appointed by the by then Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi as the Director General of the State’s Bureau of Strategic Communications. He also served on the Board of the State’s Agency for Control of HIV/AIDS (EKSACA) between July, 2012 and October, 2014.
SOME OF HIS LANDMARK CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS ARE:
• Successfully managed the internal and external communications issues/crisis that erupted in 2017 on the suspension and resignation of some Heritage Bank’s executive board members to mitigate against negative mention and public perception. 2017
• Successfully managed the internal and external communications issues/crisis that erupted in July 2016 on the resignation of Skye Bank Chairman and four other board members and take over/replacement of new board by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). 2016
• Achieved State-wide communications strategy development and implementation, Consistent enforcement of brand standards across all Ministries, Departments & Agencies(MDA’s) in Ekiti State, Provision of advisory support to H.E Mr. Governor and H.E the Deputy Governor on communication and branding related matters in the state.
• Created sustainable value and delivering expansive result to the Government of Ekiti State through cutting-edge research and analysis, planning, execution, and assessment. Distinctive competence and strategic capabilities that enabled the translation of my mandate into superior solutions oriented and promoted bottom line favourable public policy outcomes. 2012-2014
• Successfully managed communications to achieve smooth transition from the Pioneer GMD/CEO to his successor on the compulsory retirement of the former by the central Bank of Nigeria regulation to retire GMD/CEO that have served for 10years. The transition and change of baton was seamlessly managed among the various stakeholders of the bank. 2010
• Attended and participated at Thisday Newspaper organized event tagged “An Evening with Gordon Brown” – former British Prime Minister. The event held at the Banqueting House, Whitehall, London, on Sunday November 28, 2010 to commemorate Nigeria @ 50 as a Nation and to discuss economic, political and social issues and challenges in Nigeria. Other discussants include Mr. Gordon Brown, former CBN Governor Lamido Sanusi Lamido and former GMD/CEO of Access Bank Aig-Imoukhuede. 2010
• Successfully supervised the creation and design of the award winning advertising campaigns tagged ‘SAYING YES’ & ‘HAKUNA MATATA’ which became a sing song and ring tones on mobile phones. 2007-2010
• He was a member of the Federal Government Delegation to Sri-Lanka to lobby for Nigeria to host the Commonwealth Games, and also showcase the cultural heritage of Nigeria. The Delegate was led by former President General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd). 2007
• Successfully managed communications during the merger, consolidation and integration process of the five legacy banks (Prudent, EIB, Bond, Reliance and Cooperative Banks) and achieve bonding and one culture for staff from diverse cultural background. Also served on the Committee on Consolidation and Integration of the five Legacy Banks. 2006
• Successfully supervised the creation, design and implementation of the identity change of the five merger partners (i.e. Prudent, EIB International, Bond, Reliance and Cooperative Banks) into a new brand (SKYE BANK) which is a household brand name today. 2006
• Successfully packaged marketing communications awareness for Prudent Bank Public Offer and achieved over 90% subscription to meet the CBN recapitalization target. 2005
• Achieved top of mind awareness and brand visibility for Prudent Bank brand from February 2003 to December, 2005 the feat that earned the bank nomination as one of the most improved banks courtesy Thisday Newspaper Award 2005. 2005
• Initiated marketing and service delivery strategies at Optimum Exposures via Stakeholder Forum, Promotional Incentives, and Feedback Mechanism Generation. These resulted in 30% increase sales turnover in then first year ended 2002. 2002.
• Successfully led the marketing team that repositioned and repackaged Vanguard Newspaper from hitherto women focused perception to a business focused and eventually resulted in more advertisement patronage for the publication. 1999.
Between 2014 to date, Kayode Akinyemi have been involved in consulting services with the following organizations:
1. Skye Bank Plc, Media/PR Consultant 2015 – 2017
2. Heritage Bank Plc, Online Media/PR Consultant 2016 – 2019
3. Wema Bank Plc, Media Buying/PR Consultant 2017 – 2018
4. Ibile Holdings (An investment arm of Lagos State Government),
Advertising, PR & Media Consultant 2016 – 2018
5. Alphabeta Consulting, PR/Advertising Consultant 2018
Professional Programmes
Akinyemi has attended various management and professional courses both at home and abroad among which are;
• The Lagos Business School for the programme on Managing Corporate Affairs Function 2004
• African Centre for Public Affairs on Effective Management for Public Affairs, Lagos 2006
• The Master’s World Class in Strategic Public Relations in Ghana 2007
• The London Business School on Senior Public Relations programme2008
• City University, London CAS Business School on Brand Finance Conference 2010
Professional Membership
He belongs to some professional organizations:
• Member of Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR)
• Member, Advertising Practitioners of Council of Nigeria (APCON)
• Ex-Officio Member, Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB)
