Nino Kvezereli-Kopadze
Nino has more than 11 years of international experience in digital marketing, working both agency and client side, for B2B & B2C, and focusing on SEO.
Nino was born and raised in Tbilisi, Georgia, where she graduated from the Caucasus School of Business with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a major in Marketing.
Having worked with a few local marketing agencies in Georgia, Nino decided to widen her horizons and enrolled in the IMBA program at IE. She moved to London after graduation, determined to make a name for herself in the rapidly-growing and fast-changing digital marketing landscape. Nino gained valuable experience working for five creative agencies in a period of only three years before establishing as a Business Director at Publicis Media, one of the top creative marketing agencies worldwide.
"Never stop learning"
Q&A WITH NINO
Define your experience in IE in one word.
Life-changing
What were some of the main challenges that you encountered on your way? How did your master program and IE help you through these challenges?
I was born and raised in Tbilisi, Georgia, a beautiful but complicated country where East meets West and cultures collide. Burdened by our Soviet heritage and a century-long history of censorship, my generation grew up in a less globalized society.
The first and foremost challenge for me from the start of the IMBA was gaining a global perspective on cultural, economic, and institutional differences when analyzing cases. My response to the challenge was to refine my integration skills. I always tried to look at the problem from diverse perspectives and use a more holistic approach to problem-solving. The key was taking a step back, always listening to new voices and ideas, reframing the situations, and viewing them through a new lens.
How did your experience at IE prepare you for your professional career? In what ways do you think the program has changed your life professionally and personally?
During my time at IE, alongisde academic knowledge, I learned valuable soft skills, which helped me in my future career. Personally, meeting people from 99+ different nationalities, diverse beliefs, and cultures changed forever the way I look at the world.
What was networking like in the program?
I wouldn’t call it networking; it was more like building friendships, which would stay for me for the rest of my life.
What was your favorite memory from your time at IE?
The introduction ceremony was the most memorable for me. On that day, I met all the other students in my program, while simultaneously realizing what a great year full of adventures lay ahead of me.
What was your favorite professor at IE?
Ana Rumschinsky was my favourite marketing professor at IE. I think she made a significant impact on my future career. She made me realize that marketing was the career I had to pursue, as it was a match for me. There was one time after class, when she told me, “I can see you working at one of the advertising agencies in London” which sounded like a dream back then. At the same time, by giving me a grade far lower than I expected, she encouraged me to work harder to discover what I was good at. And apparently, that worked.
If someone was considering going to IE, what would you tell them?
I would highly recommend it, saying it will be the best year of their life.
What is one thing you wished you knew, when you were a student? What advice would you give to students who are about to begin the program?
- Don’t stress too much about the workload and the steep learning curve. You would get ahead of it if you are determined and resilient.
- Make every single day count. Get involved in as many extra curriculum activities as possible. That will leave you better equipped for the future career that lies ahead.
- Meet new people and make new friends as they will stay with you for life.
Tell us about the IE alumni community and the impact they have had in your life and/or career. Why do you think it’s important to engage with the IE alumni community?
My local IE community in London helps me to keep the connection to the years at the MBA. When I had just moved to London and didn’t have many friends, the IE community made me feel at home and created this network of support of like-minded individuals, which is essential when moving to a new city or country.
Why did you decide to move to London after completing your program at IE?
Towards the end of my MBA, I discovered my passion for the emerging digital world, which became my area of focus in the years to come. Digital was a rapidly developing area back then, and I wanted to be at the heart of it. London and New York were the global hubs for digital agencies back then, and I decided that one of those cities would be the place where I would be pursuing my career. Conveniently enough, my boyfriend back then was living in London.
What has been the secret for your professional success?
Persistence and passion for what I do. I always had a vision of where I wanted to be in 5-10 years, and I strictly followed it.
What’s the best career advice you have ever been given?
Never stop learning. Just recently, I took a coding course to build a strong foundation in programming, which I needed to continue my management path with a boost in confidence and knowledge.
What’s the most important personal trait of a good leader?
Be a people person. have a vision and share it with others. And most importantly, be a role model.