Navigating Layoffs with Positivity and Purpose: A Marketers Perspective

 

 

In this episode of Pro AV Today, host Ben Thomas is joined by Michelle Okeke, an accomplished marketing professional with extensive experience in high-profile tech companies and advertising agencies, shared an intimate and personal perspective on job layoffs, a scenario that she has endured throughout in her career.

Okeke shares insights on the concept of turning adversity into opportunity, leveraging personal networks, and utilizing personal branding. Her words are profound, coming from a place of experience and a spirit of resilience.

She begins by stressing the importance of understanding the consumer. As a marketer, this is a core principle that has guided her across multiple job positions and companies, including Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Essence, The Root, and Time Inc. Her primary aim has always been to resonate with the audience, identifying their needs, motivations, and the solutions that a product or service can offer them.

As the discussion veers towards layoffs, Okeke’s optimism and strength are truly inspiring. After her most recent layoff, instead of wallowing in disappointment, she chose to view it as an opportunity for growth and exploration. Okeke had already scheduled to speak at the American Marketing Association’s Collegiate Conference, and she took the chance to talk about her experiences with layoffs and how networking and trust have helped her navigate these challenging times.

One key theme that Okeke addresses is the concept of personal branding. She encourages listeners to consider their personal brand not just as a marketing tool, but as a means to provide value and educate others. Her own personal branding on platforms like LinkedIn has helped her connect with new people and opportunities, even amidst career challenges.

Her faith, her network, and her self-belief form the crux of her strategy to tackle layoffs. What’s compelling about Okeke’s narrative is her refusal to see herself as a victim of circumstances and her determination to turn each setback into a learning opportunity.

Okeke’s story offers valuable insights for anyone facing a similar situation, serving as a reminder that every setback can be transformed into an opportunity for growth. Her experiences underline the importance of resilience, optimism, networking, and personal branding. It’s a powerful lesson in finding the silver lining amidst the storm, making her appearance on Pro AV Today an essential listen for professionals across industries.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

student success
The AI-Powered Edge in Education: How LearningClues Is Enabling Student Success with Co-founder and CEO Dr. Perry Samson
June 30, 2025

As AI continues to reshape education, institutions face a growing challenge in ensuring students succeed without compromising engagement or integrity. Today’s college students are often juggling jobs, family, and coursework, leading to limited study time and increased dropout risk. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 40% of full-time undergraduates and 74% of…

Read More
AI Strategist
Why Enterprises Need an AI Strategist and Why It Should Be a Marketer
June 30, 2025

In this episode of The Marketing AI SparkCast, Aby Varma, founder of Spark Novus, a leading consultancy that partners with marketing leaders to adopt and scale AI responsibly and strategically, talks with Nicola Smith, Senior AI Programs Advisor at Southwest Airlines. They explore how enterprises can move beyond tool experimentation to embed AI into…

Read More
first 90 days
HealthSearch Partners’ Neill Marshall and Kurt Mosley Urge New CEOs to Listen First, Diagnose Early, and Lead with Purpose in the First 90 Days
June 30, 2025

CEO turnover across U.S. hospitals is accelerating. Hospitals and health systems announced 146 CEO changes in 2023—a 42 percent increase over the 103 exits recorded in 2022, according to a Challenger, Gray & Christmas report. As more leaders transition into new roles, the importance of making a good first impression has intensified. The early…

Read More
tech talent
The DisruptED World of Tech Talent with TEKsystems: Future-Proofing the Workforce Through Inclusive Hiring and Non-Traditional Education
June 27, 2025

In a workforce reshaped by automation, accelerated AI adoption, and persistent labor shortages, the demand for skilled tech talent has never been more urgent—or more difficult to meet. The traditional pipelines, namely college degrees and four-year institutions, are no longer producing enough candidates to meet the explosive growth in tech roles. With tech jobs…

Read More