Wednesday, July 3, 2024

I am Bahadir and I am the Marketing Director in Turkiye. I am responsible for four categories in the country: Chocolate, Bakery, Gums, and Candy. Working for many iconic brands in Turkiye, such as First, Falim, Olips, Kent, Jelibon, Oreo, Milka, Toblerone, and 7Days, is always a big responsibility and challenge! Consumers are constantly changing, and expectations are always high. You have to meet the demands of the consumers and be present wherever they are, providing them with the right snacking experience. Our brands are loved by many of us as we grew up snacking on them, and that is what makes my role even more exciting!

I believe that one of the skills that a marketeer should have is the “growth mindset.” Being open to new opportunities, exploring innovative ideas, and knowing everything about our consumers today is critical to marketers. Our job is all about consumers—they are the heart of our brands, and that’s what we do at MDLZ. We love our consumers and brands, and we ensure that we provide them with the right snack for the right moment, made the right way.

I am a firm believer in the power of growth. I am not just interested in growth, I am obsessed with it. Regardless of my title and career, I am always a student at heart, constantly seeking new knowledge and skills. This passion for learning has led me to teach Marketing courses at a university, an experience that has enriched my understanding of the field.

It has always been my dream to share my experiences and knowledge with aspiring marketers. Touching people’s lives and helping them build careers means a lot to me. I’ve done it for two years, and 85 students graduated. Almost half of them decided to pursue a career in marketing, and I am so proud of that. It's an extra effort, but it was a satisfying experience. But there is also another angle: Every company is trying to understand new generatıons, ınvestıng ın research projects, running focus groups…etc. I spend four hours with them every week. Yes, I teach them, but they also teach me. I learn a lot. I’m so lucky!