Telecoms operator Cell C has appointed another former Vodacom executive, Melanie Forbes, as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), effective 1 August.
Melanie Forbes has experience in telecommunications, IT, and consumer electronics and has worked for the likes of Philips, NetFlorist, Siemens Telecommunications, Nokia Siemens Networks, and, most recently, Vodacom, where she was managing executive for consumer marketing, insights, and research.
Her extensive background spans both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) markets across various African markets.
During her almost 15-year tenure at Vodacom, Forbes held key executive positions, demonstrating her ability to drive impactful initiatives in commercialisation, governance and operationalisation, products and services, profit and loss management, regional operations, brand management, and marketing. She played a pivotal role in shaping the brand’s strategy and she was instrumental in the rebranding efforts from blue to red.
Cell C
We are thrilled to welcome Melanie as our CMO. We have solid plans to drive sustainable, profitable growth, and her proven leadership, strategic acumen and deep understanding of the industry will be instrumental in the implementation of innovative marketing plans to elevate our brand.
Jorge Mendes, Cell C CEO
I am excited to be part of the team spearheading the brand’s repositioning, putting customers at the heart of everything we do, and returning the company to growth and profitability. I look forward to making a meaningful impact in the lives of South Africans by harnessing the power of technology.
Melanie Forbes
Forbes holds qualifications from Harvard’s Senior Executive Programme, INSEAD, and GIBS for Strategy. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and communications from Unisa, a certificate in Marketing Management from Wits Business School, and a Brain-Based Coaching certification from the Neuroleadership Institute.
