👋🏾 Hi, I’m Marianne and I’m all about storytelling.
Start here
I’m an award-winning brand storyteller, strategist, and founder of JAIKU, an agency committed to building brands with soul.
Through JAIKU, I help brands tell better stories and produce content that is rooted in community, cultural relevance, and longevity.
My work has been featured in Design Week, The Sunday Times, BBC, Creativepool, The Guardian, and The Telegraph, and I've appeared on national TV, notably on Channel 4’s Aldi’s Next Big Thing.
I’m also co-founder of Puff Puff Ministry, the UK’s leading West African doughnut brand, which I launched with my sisters. Together, we’ve transformed puff puff from a traditional snack to a much-loved dessert, working with clients like Google, Netflix, Meta, TikTok, and Amazon.
As a Visiting Lecturer at City University and workshop leader at The British Library, I teach entrepreneurs how to build memorable, lasting brands.
I also write a marketing newsletter, sharing insights on how to grow your business and connect with your community through storytelling. Subscribe to The Business of Storytelling.
Phew! That was a lot.
Jobs I've done
I’ve worked with brands across tech, design, food and drink, non-profits and government organisations.
One thing all my jobs have in common is storytelling about real people, doing great things, and making the world a more exciting place.
My work includes brand strategy and positioning, content marketing, copywriting, thought leadership, demand generation marketing, social media, and video.
I spent 2+ years as Global Content Lead at ustwo, where I led content marketing and partnerships across their design studios in London, New York, Malmö, Tokyo and Lisbon. I also established ustwo’s global partnership with Where are the Black Designers?, a nonprofit advocacy organisation driving tangible change and rectifying systemic inequalities in the design industry.
Before that, I worked next to 10 Downing Street at the Department for International Trade. My job was to create good news stories from all over the UK at a time when there was very little to be positive about (read: Brexit). I was tasked with producing stories about small businesses achieving big things in international markets, in the hopes of inspiring other businesses around the country to sell overseas. The quirky and soulful stories were always my favourite.
I’ve written about all kinds of businesses, from haggis producers in Scotland, to a company exporting human tissue for scientific research. I’ve even written about the seaweed business co-founded by a member of English indie rock band Kaiser Chiefs. These stories ended up in national and international newspapers, magazines, and on TV and radio or TV.
What I do best
Long story short, I know where to find good stories, how to craft them, and how to sell them to the right audience.
I'm also an award-winning photographer recognised by the British Journal of Photography. You can see some of my photographs here.
I enjoy sharing my learnings and insights with others. I’ve spoken at events for Samsung, Peloton, BBC Radio, and Squarespace x ábiké studio, to name a few.
When I’m not doing any of the above, I’m either listening to a podcast, eating my way around the world, or at spin class.
Say hello
Now it’s your turn. I’d love to know more about you.
Say hello: marianne@marianneolaleye.com