BULENT CITAK
Experienced Marketing Leader
Summary
Marketing professional with 15+ years of experience across diverse marketing functions. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute as a Partner Marketing Senior Manager, bringing together my strategic expertise, leadership strengths, and passion for sports. Recognized for leading with empathy and thriving in complex matrix organizations, I inspire cross-functional teams and stakeholders to deliver impactful, aligned outcomes.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Partner Marketing Manager, Key Sports & Sp. Sports
Nike
02.2025 - Current
- Lead seasonal and long-term account planning with a focus on innovation, sport moments and athletes.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing squads, merchandising, planning, and partner teams to deliver integrated campaigns.
- Oversee end-to-end campaign execution, including athlete shoots, retail installations, and consumer events, ensuring excellence and alignment with brand objectives.
- Manage, coach, and inspire the team while fostering a culture of mentorship and collaboration.
- Evaluate campaign impact, apply learnings, and identify growth opportunities through strategic business planning.
Lead Professional, Brand Planning
NIKE INC.
7 2021 - 02.2025
- Develop and support strategic and operational brand planning processes to enhance functional efficiency and ultimately drive brand and business growth.
- Drive seasonal planning and resourcing efforts in close collaboration with Brand, Brand Planning, and Functional Teams.
- Play a key role in AOP and ODC planning, partnering with Finance and Brand Marketing teams to ensure alignment and operational efficiency.
- Led the development of a new brand finance operating model across the marketing function.
- Contribute to strategic planning inputs, including QBRs, seasonal brand highlights, learning agendas, consumer insights, and focus group activities.
Country Brand Manager, Running
NIKE INC.
09.2018 - 07.2021
- Develop and lead the local running brand strategy, ensuring alignment with EMEA plans and incorporating local consumer and market insights.
- Create and implement brand plans and a clear game plan process in collaboration with functional teams, reflecting the strategy and city concept map.
- Build and manage relationships within the running network, including individuals, crews, clubs, and other initiatives.
- Oversee the creative process, working with both internal and external partners to craft authentic, diverse, and inclusive local storytelling that can also be leveraged across EMEA.
- Collaborate closely with the digital team to develop a membership strategy and achieve NRC KPIs, focusing on excellence in member experience, retention, and engagement.
- Support the orchestration of an O2O experience in Nike Direct and Partner doors that tailored to athletes' needs and interests.
- Collaborate with Marketplace teams to meet business targets.
- Drive the IBA process and Country LT meeting workstreams from running POV.
- Being a member of Istanbul Social Purpose Task Force team and Lead for Sustainability drive internal awareness and activities as well as act as the brand liaison for the projects.
Sports and Events Communications Manager
RED BULL
11.2017 - 09.2018
- Develop a local communications strategy aligned with global direction and the city concept map.
- Lead targeted communications for sports, athletes, and events across owned and earned channels (media, influencers, redbull.com.tr).
- Oversee agencies, freelancers, production, and creative teams to produce high-quality assets that meet Red Bull's global content standards.
- Build and maintain long-term relationships with media, influencers, and content creators to support sports communication, business goals, and the international Red Bull Media House program.
- Create business opportunities through content syndication and local media partnerships and sponsorships.
Communications Executive
NIKE INC.
10.2014 - 10.2017
- Partner with the Communications Manager to develop and execute the local communication strategy.
- Collaborate with local category brand leads to create authentic storytelling opportunities through launches, athlete and brand moments.
- Manage agencies from briefing through to reporting.
- Drive internal communication by partnering with the EHQ for local storytelling opportunities.
Sports and Events Communications Specialist
RED BULL
11.2013 - 09.2014
- Lead the development and execution of the local sports communication strategy.
- Create authentic storytelling opportunities through both local and global athlete & sports initiatives.
- Maintain strong relationships with freelancers, media, influencers, and content creators.
- Represent Red Bull Media House in Turkey for local collaborations
Account Manager
A&B COMMUNICATIONS
12.2010 - 11.2013
- Account Management for leading brand accounts (Nike, Mavi, Sabanci Museum, SAHA Association).
- Collaborate with communications and marketing teams of the brands to develop communication strategies and plans.
- Create tailored content and activations to enhance meaningful visibility for the brands in online and offline media channels.
- Manage relationships with key stakeholders, catalysts and media.
- Identify and create brand partnership opportunities to drive consumer engagement.
- Support the brands with business and crisis communication issues.
Education
MA - Communication Science
Marmara University
IstanbulBA - Communication Science
Marmara University
IstanbulFashion Marketing & PR Diploma Program
London College of Arts
London 04.2001 -
Marketing, Advertising, PR Diploma Program
London Cavendish College
London 04.2001 -
Brand Communication Associate Diploma
Anadolu University
Trainings
- Various corporate programs in Business, Marketing and Leadership
- University of London I Brand Management online program
- Circus Street I Game On Digital 1 year online program
- Career Institution seminars in Digital Marketing and Social Media, Istanbul
- Influence People I Social Media Marketing Seminars, London
- University of Westminster I Youth's media use and participation, London
- London Institute of Tech & English I General & Business English, London
- Bogazici University Management & Economics I Communications & PR, Istanbul
Leadership competencies
- Instills Trust
- Fosters Effective Teamwork
- Values Differences
- Drives Clarity
Timeline
Partner Marketing Manager, Key Sports & Sp. Sports
Nike
02.2025 - Current
Country Brand Manager, Running
NIKE INC.
09.2018 - 07.2021
Sports and Events Communications Manager
RED BULL
11.2017 - 09.2018
Communications Executive
NIKE INC.
10.2014 - 10.2017
Sports and Events Communications Specialist
RED BULL
11.2013 - 09.2014
Account Manager
A&B COMMUNICATIONS
12.2010 - 11.2013
Fashion Marketing & PR Diploma Program
London College of Arts
04.2001 -
Marketing, Advertising, PR Diploma Program
London Cavendish College
04.2001 -
MA - Communication Science
Marmara University
BA - Communication Science
Marmara University
Brand Communication Associate Diploma
Anadolu University
Lead Professional, Brand Planning
NIKE INC.
7 2021 - 02.2025
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