Kudzi Chikumbu is using his profound expertise in all things Gen Z, to perform his new role as Global Head of Creator Marketing at TikTok. Named in Fortune’s 40 Under 40 list, Kudzi is a force to be reckoned with in the field of innovation. Fueled by the belief that authenticity shines above all, he is now available to speak on the power of authenticity, innovation, creative culture, and career development at a range of events.
Graduating from the University of Cape Town with a Bachelor of Business Science, Hons. Finance & Accounting and then a Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting, he received an MBA from Stanford University in 2016. That was the year he started his journey at TikTok as a Senior Manager, Entertainment Partnerships for musical.ly that was later acquired by TikTok. Kudzi has held several positions at the social media platform from Head of Creator Partnerships to Director of Creator Community and has been the Global Head of Content Marketing since 2022. Kudzi also spent time after his undergraduate studies to work at companies like Deloitte (in both USA and South Africa), Hulu, and continues his association as an Advisory Board Member at VidCon and on the Executive Committee of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Today Kudzi acts as an Angel Investor to support companies in media, technology and entertainment with founders from diverse and underrepresented groups. Kudzi wants young people of colour to know that the career, passion projects and creative roles they dream of are within their reach and the key to obtaining them is to live with authenticity. Kudzi is also Board Member at GLSEN and a Member of the Board of Governors at The Advanced Imaging Society.
Named in The Hollywood Reporter’s “Hollywood’s 35 Rising Executives 35 and Under” list and recipient of Adcolour’s 2020 Innovator award, Kudzi is one of the best in the business. Just as he did with his successful YouTube career, one that he used to show musical.ly just what he was capable of doing, Kudzi uses his platform to empower, inspire and educate young people around him. Kudzi can now be hired as a speaker at several types of events where talks about the lack of diversity in the media and entertainment industry and encourages inclusivity, creativity, authenticity to achieve career development. Enquire now!
