Coke marketer with craving for sunsets

Mona Karingi, country marketing manager of Coca-Cola. PHOTO | COURTESY 

By JACKSON BIKO

In Summary

MONA KARINGI
Country Marketing Manager, Coca-Cola
Age: 40

By now you might have seen the cans of Coke with people’s names. That is the on-going “Share a Coke” campaign Mona is driving in Kenya. Apparently it’s doing rather well. It offers an insight about us humans and the attachments we have with our names.

According to Mona, the campaign ensures that every Kenyan has a chance to decide whom they want to share a Coke with. Mona just got back from her post in Zimbabwe last year where she was the franchise senior brand manager handling Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi.

We met for lunch at the Crowne Plaza where she was initially anxious (first personal interview, etc) but later thawed into a joyful and sparkling soul.

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So names on Coke cans huh? What is the character of the name Mona?

My father was a career diplomat and so my family moved around a lot. I was born in Egypt and the name Mona is very common there. I googled it once, and I think it means something royal, something regal. (Smiles).

If you were a product in the Coca-Cola range, what drink would you be?

Wow. A Stoney! (Big smile). It’s spicy nicely. (Pause). Wait, I can’t say that, it’s not my product! (Laughs). I’d say a Coke because it’s fizzy, fun and bubbly. I’m a bubbly person, I like to laugh and smile. OK, we will go with Stoney.

What has been the greatest turning point in your life?

Death of a husband at an early age. But I don’t want this interview to be about that, if you don’t mind.

Oh, OK. But why not if it’s defining?

Well, for the simple reason that I don’t want people to read this and feel sorry for me. I don’t want this to turn into some sort of a pity party because it’s not. The last thing I want is for me to come across as disadvantaged because I’m not. I hope you understand, Biko, right?

Yes, certainly. Of course. How old are the kids?

My daughter is now seven years and my son is five. They grow pretty fast, children.

What is your weakness as a mother?

Motherhood is my passion, when everybody was dreaming of white dress weddings and picket fences, my dream was always be a mother and I love it! My weakness as a mother is that I try to be a supermom; I want to do everything and it stretches me.
 

What’s your greatest fear as a woman?

That I won’t be enough for my children as a single parent. You know I often take life too seriously; I can be quite hard on myself, but over time I have learnt that there is often no use sweating the small stuff. So I don’t.

Again, no sob stories here, but I was in maternity leave when I lost my husband in that tragic road accident and my youngest was only 12-days-old and there I was floating in the house, living in dark times.

Then I got posted to South Africa to head the business unit there and I was there for over three years. My lessons is that out of that tragedy I had to do what I had to do for my sanity and also for the sanity of my children. I hope that what I do counts and is enough.

Do you sometimes feel sorry for yourself?

It’s natural. Sometimes you sit there and think about it. How can you not? (Smile) So it comes, but it’s not something to dwell on because it doesn’t help. You know Zimbabwe was kind of an escape, but then coming back here and it’s like whoosh! The memory comes…familiar places, you know?

What is the song playing right now in your life? The soundtrack of your life now.

(Thinks) This will sound strange, but its How Great Thou Art. But it’s not me who is great. (Smiles).

Are you very spiritual?

I am spiritual. But I’m not over the top with it. If you know what I mean.

What has been the one thing that has eluded you in your life?

Balance. I have a whole list of things to do, and I wake up and I try to juggle all these balls in the air. Work, social, motherhood, family…I’m trying not to let any of these balls fall. Sometimes they do, but I keep trying.

When were you at your happiest in your life?

In my mid to late 20s. You just started out in this job, you don’t have the inhibitions or the hurdles that an older person goes through, and you are discovering so much and having fun and everything is so new and exciting and you are care-free. Most importantly, you can afford to make mistakes in you life because you have plenty of time to right them.

What has been your most tragic mistake then?

 

Really, Biko? Really? (Laughs). I’m not sure anyone would answer that! Let’s put it this way, I think it was so bad I actually put it at the very back of my mind. (Cocky grin).

Smart answer I must admit! OK then, what has been your greatest risk in life so far?

This interview! Baring my heart out there for people to chew on! (Laughs) But I’d say an investment I embarked on, but thankfully it has paid off.

Do you think people like you as a boss?

I think I’m objective, I’m not quick to judge or jump to conclusions. I seek and get the right information first then make a decision after. But I am tough, yes, because when its time to do it’s time to do, so we do.

Would you consider marriage again?

Who knows what the future holds, man! (Laughs)

But would you like to?

(Pause) Did I tell you I love sunsets? (Laughs aloud). No really, I do! (Excited). I love to travel and I think part of my adventure is to go out somewhere and enjoy the sunset. My best ever has been Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side. The sunsets there are amazing. It’s tranquil and beautiful and it reminds you that there is a God and everything will be all right. I mean this beauty has been there since creation, what makes you think that your perceived problems matter?

Are you a sunset or a sunrise?

Hmm…sunrise. Because I always get up and go. I always get myself up and move towards what I have to do. I don’t let the sun set on me, ever. OK, sometimes it will and sometimes it does, but I try not to let it.

You turned 40 the other day, how is it?

Very interesting. Moving back has been a milestone, it’s a realisation that the world is always moving, and I have to move with it and go and get mine. You get knocked down and you move on. It’s liberating. I feel like I can do what it takes. I have been empowered.

What do you know now at 40 that you wish you knew earlier in age?

That it’s never that serious. Life isn’t. I have learnt that if you just focus on doing your best everything else will fall in place. If I knew that earlier I could have been much further.

Are you seeing someone?

No. I’m not. I haven’t got there yet. I’m not in that space.

What’s your greatest possession?

Here is what, I will give you one on the record and one off the record. The one on the record is my smile. (Big smile).