Fellows interview with Mohammed Ismaeel Hameedaldin

We are delighted to bring you a Fellows interview with Mohammed Ismaeel Hameedaldin, Partner at TOUGHLOVE Advisors.

The Marketing Society Fellowship is our highest and most prestigious accolade awarded to outstanding marketing leaders who have achieved significant success in the markets they’ve worked in and made an active contribution to The Marketing Society and our industry more broadly.

What is your golden rule?

Be very clear on your personal values and stick to them - this is core to your personal brand!

Who has been your biggest influence?

Hands down my mother - despite everything the world has thrown at her (and it’s thrown a lot her way) she gets up, she perseveres, so solves and she challenges. The most creative mind I know.

What is your most hated business expression?

“Think outside the box” - don’t build the box in the first place and your teams won’t limit their thinking.

What’s the smartest business idea you’ve ever had?

The creation of Centers of Excellence across the 90 markets in the region. Unified fragmented teams, reduced repetition and wastage, increased quality of work and the added benefit of reducing fees and production costs.

Which leader do you admire most and why?

Al Kelly - former CEO and Chairman of Visa. He’s living proof of the transformative power one person can have on the culture of a whole organisation. I’ve never met a leader who epitomizes the importance of EQ & IQ in equal measure. Good guys do make it to the top!

What keeps you up at night as a marketing leader?

Where our future CMOs will come from when we have a young generation of specialist marketers and fewer and fewer well-rounded leaders. Whilst chasing innovation and experimenting is important, it should not be at the expense of the fundamentals.

Why is being part of The Marketing Society important for your career?

Where else will I find likeminded leaders, super smart, and who are always quick to jump in to support each other? Our time together is always educational, entertaining and energising.

Why does marketing matter to you?

It’s the focal point between the organisation and the external world. It navigates the internal complexities of an organisation and makes it make sense to its consumers. It’s the constant driver that ensures our customers are front and centre of everything we do. And in so doing ensures we drive sustainable long term growth in a sustainable manner in support of our customers and not at their expense.

What does the word impact mean to you when it comes to marketing?

Long term growth vs short term gains.

Tell us something that’s not on your CV

Now where’s the fun in that? I do promise to tell you though, should our paths ever cross.

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Published on 13 February 2025