Interview With Ognjen (Fractional CMO)

1) Where were you born and raised? Also tell us something unique about yourself.

Subotica, Serbia. Smth unique: Looking at the problem from all angles, or the ability to see what those angles are.

2) What got you interested in marketing and what was your journey?

My parents are entrepreneurs, so I got to see all the good and bad stuff when building a sustainable business from young age. Their company sells products for internal interior design, so my visual/branding knowledge grew organically. Thats how the journey started. And then, in highschool I started with META ads, sold smart watches via Facebook page with a great success. After that, I got a BA in Sociology, which gave me a better all around picture when targeting social groups. That was the moment when I realized marketing/business development is something that I will do.

My first official internship was in the Office of the PM of Serbia, where I worked on the project called Serbia Creates, with primary goal of branding Serbia. After that, I went into commercial space and very soon opened my own agency - craze&friends.

3) What skills and industry do you specialize in?

CMO, business development. All industries except for legal drugs and gambling.

4) What is your best soft skill?

Communication. Feeling one's mindset.

5) What softwares and tools do you use regularly?

Asana, Google pack, Slack, plus a bunch of sales enablement softwares.

6) What are your goals for the next year and into the future?

Further expansion and growth, higher pricing models, hiring more experts.

7) What has been the hardest thing you dealt with in your career path?

Not being understood due to mismanagement.

8) What is the biggest mistake you made that you want others to avoid?

Doing before testing. MVP is needed for everything - workforce, projects, clients.

9) Who are your favorite people in the industry that you follow?

I don't really do much of following on social media.

10) Who has had the biggest influence on your career to date?

My father, Kevin Patrick, Benny Rubin

11) What has been your favorite course that you taken and why?

I don't remember the last time I did one. My knowledge is mostly collected via non stop testing of hypothesis which were defined based on past experiences.

12) What would you tell yourself or someone who is just starting out in marketing?

Do it for 24/7. It must become your life. But that is a rule if you want to best at whatever job you want.

13) If the entire world was listening to you, what would you have to say?

Family first. Work second.

14) Where can we find you?

crazeandfriends.com