C. Hub Magazine 30 Creative Influencers Under 30, 2017 (10): Meet Innocent, Uchenna D. – 29 years old

In this interview, Innocent, Uchenna D. spoke with Ayishat Amoo about how he makes a huge impact helping brands and businesses communicate and connect with their target audience in the digital space.

Innocent, Uchenna D. is a self-motivated entrepreneurial-minded individual who started out as a Blogger and Online Publicist in 2012 when he started iDOPUB (Blog and Online Publicity Platform). He has ever since been passionate about Digital Marketing and Online Publicity/PR, with a broad experience of using social media as a tool to create brand awareness for businesses, products and services, music, events, and people alike. His experience spans across the various industries;

• Digital Publishing
• Digital Agency
• Classifieds and E-commerce
• Events & Entertainment
• Financial Services
• Travel

A former guest columnist with Nigeria’s most widely read newspaper, The Punch Newspaper (i-Punch Column); with featured contents also on BusinessDay newspapers (Tech) and a few other platforms.

Previously a Senior Associate Online Marketing, Social Media Manager with Ringier (owners of Pulse.ng and RDM), a multinational integrated media and digital marketing company with over 8,000 employees worldwide. He presently heads the online marketing at Travelstart Nigeria – a pioneer of online travel present in 16 countries spanning the African continent, Middle East and Turkey where the company is now a market leader.

Innocent, Uchenna D.

1. What is your inspiration?

I’m inspired by my weaknesses; I look at my challenges, limitations, and background, this keeps me going. Not having to let these be reasons to fail and also the fact that  I can be an inspiration and role model to others. The fear of failure fuels my determination to be the best at whatever I find myself do.

2. Could you describe what you do, your role?

As a digital marketing consultant, I help brands/businesses/people find their voice in the digital space. In my current role at Travelstart; I head the online marketing where I help manage, analyze, plan and implement the online marketing strategy. I also assist in the content marketing strategy to ensure the brand messaging is congruent across board and resonates with our audience. In addition to this, I work closely with the Commercial and country managers to develop other marketing strategies (offline).

3. At 40 what do you hope to achieve?

At age 40 I hope to have mentored or guided people who would be leaders in their various roles. Own or head a leading Marketing agency, be one of the most sort-after Digital Marketing consultants in Africa and or maybe a C-level executive. Who knows?

Innocent, Uchenna D.

4. 5 years back did you see yourself where you are today?

5 years back, there’s no way I had a picture of where I am today. 5 years back, I was a Library Technical Assistant in a Private University, The Library Assistants were amongst the least paid set of workers in the institution. I had no sense of direction, all I knew was that I had a passion for the internet and was fascinated about how much it could be used to achieve in terms of personal branding and publicity, and I was determined to see how much I could do with it.

5. Tell us more about your journey.

Well, I’m still on the journey, but so far I look back and I can only say there are 3 factors that have taken me from point A to B and so on, and they are; persistence, curiosity, and God.

My journey on this part all started in 2012, while working as a Library Assistant I had a friend who just graduated we got chatting and he told me about his plans to organize a Fashion and Music event in Lagos; I liked the idea and so it as an opportunity to be useful (I was already tired of my monotonous job) and so I decided to be on the team and head the PR and Publicity online, this was the point I started out my first blog (idopubnaijablog.com). Long story short, we held the first Unveiled Fashion Show (a music + fashion show);  with Zero funds we were able to fill up Bespokes event center, Lekki. That was the point I knew I had found a path. Not long after that (about a year later) I had my first featured content on Punch Newspaper (i-Punch column). From then on I’ve worked directly or in affiliation with various platforms like; Mister Africa International, Next Big Model Search, Mr. Ideal, Campus Tourism Queen, Miss Omolewa, MusicNest Radio, EasyAppetite.com, Miss West Africa Nigeria, Foodies Restaurant, African Fashion Group Of Professionals(AFGOP), Tush Awards, NAIBAC.com, RTVKollections (Now Martlounge), Johnny Rockets Nigeria, BrandUrs Concepts, Pheegoh Technologies, Pulse Nigeria, Transfast – World Money Transfer, Oriri.ng to mention a few.

6. Who is your role model?

Hmm.., I do not have a particular role model, but over time and at each point in my life there are several people whose success stories, career path, and lifestyle has given me something to look up to, this list includes; My elder brother, Chukwudi Innocent, he’s the first person I turn to whenever I’m at a crossroad, his approach to life and challenges is something I look up to. Also, Steve Harris, I listened to him speak once and his success story propelled me. Douglas Idugboe, following him at an earlier stage (on Twitter) made me realise I could follow a path in Digital and New media; My late mum, she had a never-say-die attitude and faced each day with hope.

7. What is your career highlight so far?

Having been able to successfully plan and implement marketing(online) strategies for brands like; Pulse Nigeria, Transfast, and Travelstart and several other small scale businesses. Having featured contents on two National Dailies (Punch Newspaper and Business Day). Being contacted by individuals requesting I mentor or guide them through making a career switch or starting a career path in Digital Marketing.

8. What is fascinating about your job?

I could be locked away on an Island with Internet access and device(s) and still be able to make an impact, influence (buyer) behaviour and perception, etc.

9. What can you tell young people who are still struggling to find their vision?

You can never get the full picture at a time; it gets clearer with each step. Start from where you are, with the little resources available.

Where can one find you?

LinkedIn: INNOCENT Uchenna D. https://www.linkedin.com/in/innocentuchennad/

Twitter: @innosaint_uche | @iDOPUB

Instagram: innosaint_uche