Tina Manikas: Global Head of Connected Commerce, Omnicom Commerce (President/Tracy-Locke)

Tina Manikas joins Jennifer and Risa on the latest episode of CPG Scoop!

Tina is a dynamic agency leader, known for her focus on vision and relentless pursuit of compelling commerce and brand activation strategies, capabilities, and solutions to grow brands and solve commercial business problems.

As president of Tracy-Locke, she has been leading an award-winning brand to buying agency and is now a leader of global connected commerce in the evolved Omnicom Commerce group. Leading teams and solutions for major clients from large to challenger brands - Pepsi to Diageo to Mars to Pizza Hut and more. Prior to Omnicom, she has led and created agencies, with deep expertise in CPG and has been a passionate industry speaker and thought leader on commerce driving creativity and solutions.  

As a past president of the jury at Cannes Lions and Spikes Asia, and an advisor at Effies US, Tina has helped evolve the categories of activation and commerce in these awards programs. She has played a key role in helping those who set the benchmark recognize outstanding commerce strategies and work, while also staying ahead of where the industry is heading.

Tina was named advertising woman of the year by the Chicago Ad Federation in 2019, and there is even a Tina Manikas Day in Chicago proclaimed by the Mayor! She serves on boards including the Off the Street Club in Chicago and the Chicago Foundation for Women, and she is a big supporter of female leadership and growth. She is super proud of the teams she’s led that have won Effie awards every year for the last 20 years. She is a retail geek and loves all things commerce and behaviors. She is a proud intrapreneur, and she has three kids and ten godchildren.

Our favorite takeaways from this episode with Tina:

• CPGs need to focus on value and joy in the buying process to compel consumers to choose their brands.
• Being nimble and partnering with others can lead to success in the ever-changing CPG industry.
• Finding balance and being present in different aspects of life is so important for personal well-being.