Cenk Akerson

Advised the gaming & tech startup on strategic repositioning, revenue model development, and high-value partnerships. • Converted major brands into paying clients for newly developed gamified marketing services, securing Xiaomi, Samsung, and Publicis Group • Secured premium advertising placement in the Guards Polo Club magazine during the Cartier Polo Cup finals, delivering cost-efficient visibility to an ultra-high-net-worth audience • Restructured the company and management team, establishing new strategic marketing and commercial revenue models • Drove Web3.0 product growth, increasing wallet holders by 50x through strategic technical partnerships

Led a 360° restructuring of the Brands Division, implementing new product development, marketing strategies, financial planning, and market analysis. Oversaw sales forecasting, team management, and creative processes to drive growth and efficiency. • Built Bugzy Malone’s House of Vision brand 0→1, developing product, brand identity, go-to-market strategy, and retail execution, achieving #2 in UK male fragrances at launch. • Managed legacy and mass-market brands including Barbour fragrances and Missguided makeup & fragrance, optimizing marketing, retail, and sales strategies. • Implemented new product development, marketing strategies, financial planning, and market analysis to drive growth and efficiency. • Renegotiated commercial terms with Superdrug, delivering £3.5M in savings. • Achieved 3x growth vs market average through optimized marketing and sales investments. • Improved operational efficiency and financial accuracy, saving an additional £5M through enhanced forecasting and reporting.

Built a suncare brand and patented product from concept to market entry for a dormant sunscreen category in the US (~$300M market). • Designed the business plan, commercial model, CAC/LTV economics, supply-chain cost structure, and funding scenarios. • Achieved 55,000 units sold (~$30K revenue) and secured 35 retail partnerships across the US. • Further scale constrained by funding limitations and corporate exclusivity agreements, including high-demand accounts such as Disney World (~$20M potential).

Built the business case and market sizing model for the untapped global social commerce marketplace in travel retail & tourist hub downtown locations(~$20B market). • Sold the vision to enterprise partners pre-product, securing commitments from L’Oréal, Puig, Lagardère Travel Retail, Printemps, and others. • Negotiated €250K marketing services commitment from L’Oréal and €8,000 event sponsorship from Tito’s Handmade Vodka. • Venture halted due to tech team non-delivery; disciplined stop preserved capital, reputation, and learnings for future venture

Served as strategic advisor to senior corporate leaders, including the CEO of Turkey’s 5th largest bank, shaping executive messaging and external communications. Developed high-stakes communication strategies covering press relations, market positioning, corporate reputation, and stakeholder narrative development. Strengthened leadership influence by simplifying complex business issues into clear, persuasive messaging aligned with strategic priorities. Built consulting skills and executive partnership capabilities that later translated into board-level influence in corporate and entrepreneurial roles

Founding team member of the North American customer support division servicing Toshiba computers and Microsoft consumer products. Built quality assurance systems, KPIs, and process standards from the ground up, ensuring scalable operations as service volume expanded. Worked closely with HR and operations leadership on recruitment, onboarding, and team capability development for frontline and supervisory staff. Conducted performance audits, call analysis, and user pain-point mapping to improve technical resolution accuracy and reduce repeat contact rates. Gained early operational experience in high-volume customer support, data-driven service improvement, and large-scale team alignment—skills later translated into business transformation and commercial leadership roles.

• Selected as one of the university’s official tutors for Economics, Corporate Finance, and Statistics, supporting students across core analytical subjects. • Delivered one-on-one and group tutoring sessions, helping improve academic performance through structured problem-solving, quantitative reasoning, and exam preparation. • Reinforced foundational skills in financial analysis, micro/macro economics, and statistical modelling, building a strong analytical base later applied in commercial and P&L leadership roles.