Nikki Rule – Chief Marketing Officer YUM! Restaurants Africa
Posted on 09. Oct, 2009 by admin in Personality Profiles
Nikki Rule is busy. As if being YUM! Restaurants (KFC) International Chief Marketing Officer for Africa is not enough, this self-confessed caffeine addict runs for pleasure and also manages to design, build and renovate houses!
An effortless achiever of note, Durban-born Nikki was Head Girl at St Marys DSG in Kloof before simultaneously undertaking an In Service Hotel Management Diploma through Three Cities Hotels whilst completing a BComm degree through UNISA between 1992 and1995. With no slacking off time, Unilever became the site of a star-chasing trajectory though the ranks. Employed in 1996 as Assistant Brand Manager, she was appointed Brand Manager and finally Regional Sales Manager. With the turn of the millennium, Nikki’s rule continued. 2001 saw the beginning of another epic sprint through YUM! Restaurants International – filling the posts of Marketing and Senior Marketing Manager, Marketing Director to the post she currently occupies. She lists her greatest achievement as YUM won Marketing Organisation of the Year 2008.
• What’s a typical workday for you?
Kick start the day with a KFC am Cappuccino (I’m a much nicer person after some caffeine) A number of Jeep bonnet reviews with the team i.e. Marketing team (so that I stay in touch with the multitude of projects on the go at any time) peppered between conversations with Franchisees and other departments and finally some valuable scheduled thinking time!
Still get together with the entire family every Christmas - family are the most precious people in the world.
• What do you enjoy most about your portfolio?
The ability to step change what you do constantly and supporting a great team that always strives to outperform their previous best. What can be more fun that having the ability to change peoples perceptions and behaviors?
• How do you handle work stresses?
I thrive on adrenalin, but still prefer caffeine to nicotine! Jogging and good friends always help put things into perspective. Stresses are just opportunities waiting to be uncovered.
• What has been your biggest professional challenge?
Morphing from being a great Leader to a great Coach
• What is your No 1 industry peeve?
Unsolicited e-mails – get me off those mailing lists !!!
Slumming it in Cannes with Ogilvy Team & Roger Moore in St Paul de Vence
Nike, Moet, Redken, MAC and Woolworths.
• How do you relax?
Golf, dinner parties and spending time with my fiancé’ Dean, friends & our two dogs Frank & Nigella. Designing & building houses, I’m constantly in a state of renovation or rebuilding.
• What’s your chosen way to communicate with family and friends, (mobile, social networking pages like Facebook, Skype, emails, fixed lined telephone)?
Mobile (always catch up with my Mom & Dad while driving home in the evening) & Facebook (great for the overseas friends & speaking to my nieces)
• What’s a favorite local holiday destination?
Plettenberg bay locally & Sydney internationally (love the food there !!!)
• What’s your idea of a relaxing Sunday morning?
Not too early morning jog with friends followed by breakfast afterwards at the closest coffee shop.
With Friends getting ready to tackle 5 nights on the Orange River
• Which are your favorite must-have printed media titles?
SA Homeowner, Food & Home & Sunday Times
• Do you have a favorite online site?
Not really
• What’s your best dining out venue?
Roots at Forum Homini for a special occasion – else Nice in Parkhurst for breakfast.