Tola Alade is an entrepreneur and multidisciplinary creative that is motivated by people, cultural identity and creative ideas that genuinely move people. Tola is driven by a mission to build better brands, better products and better perceptions for Africa. This has led him to found Marmalade Collective - a digital media company bringing Africa's culture and stories to life through curated content and experiential events.
Over the last 10+ years, Tola has accumulated experience across digital, print and branding. From starting out as a freelancer, he setup and ran his own agency (Swifty Studios) for 7 years. In 2017, Tola was appointed Head of Design at digital sports agency, 90/24 Media.
A deep fascination with cultural diversity, self expression and individuality has led him to setting up the People of Shoreditch Instagram account; a passion project where he meets new people on the streets of Shoreditch, documents their personal stories and photographs them.
Projects
- Spitalfields Crypt Trust (SCT)Volunteering with the SCT — who provide rehabilitation and support for the vulnera- ble and homeless — means making a real impact on London’s homeless population. I spend intimate time with the people on the programme, taking their portraits for the charity’s website and social channels.
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Work history
Founder & CEOMarmalade Collective
London, United KingdomFull Time
African culture is influencing Western mainstream tastes like never before. It’s informing music, fashion, beauty, advertising…the list is infinite.
Marmalade connects major players with previously unreachable markets by introducing their brands to a powerful collective of influencers. Utilising technology-driven data and relational marketing, we create game-changing campaigns with a distinctly African flavour.
Head of Design9024Media
- London, United KingdomFull Time
I am responsible for setting the design vision within the agency and bringing the brand to life across all touch points. My role also includes managing and inspiring a team of creatives/designers. I spearheaded the agency’s rebrand, followed by implementing new ways of working and approaches to strategic brand development and design execution for the social channels of our global roster of sport athletes.
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Skills
- Print Design
- Social Media
- Brand Identity
- Logo Design
- Digital Design
- Website Design
- Apps Design
- Advertising Design
- Brand Activation
- Brand Campaigns
Education
U
U
ArchitectureUniversity of Greenwich
- London, United Kingdom
Awards
2016 Design Week's Top 100Design Week
Swifty Studios was ranked one of the top 100 UK agencies by DesignWeek. The Design Week Top 100 ranks the most successful independent UK design businesses, across all sectors.2015 Design Week’s Top 100Design Week
Swifty Studios was ranked one of the top 100 UK agencies by DesignWeek. The Design Week Top 100 ranks the most successful independent UK design businesses, across all sectors.