Women leaders are making significant strides across various industries, breaking barriers and inspiring change. Among them is Nikolett Blasko, born in 1973, a renowned industry leader serving as the CEO of ACG, a leading advertising agency based in Budapest. Blasko holds degrees in Marketing and Advertising as well as economics. She founded ACG in 2004, specializing in branding and offering comprehensive services such as creative, digital, social media, PR, film, and content production.

Under Blasko's leadership, ACG has achieved remarkable success, ranking as the World's Most Effective Independent Agency multiple times, including three consecutive years (2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018). Additionally, ACG became the second most effective agency in Europe in 2022. Beyond her business achievements, Blasko is committed to social responsibility, leading charitable projects focused on health awareness and combating domestic violence.

As a curator and social activist, Blasko supports UNICEF and organizes charity events, raising over HUF 60 million in 2023. She also serves as the President of the Association of Hungarian Communication Agencies (MAKSZ) and is involved in various industry boards. Recognized as one of the most influential women in the Hungarian communications industry, Blasko actively supports women in business, young artists, and fashion designers.

In her TEDx talk, Blasko openly shares insights on achieving success and overcoming fears in business. Outside of her professional endeavors, Nikolett, a former professional showjumper remains passionate about horse riding and is married with two daughters. Blasko's journey exemplifies resilience, leadership, and dedication to making a difference in both business and society. Let’s hear more from her.

Take us through the formative years of your life. What were some key early influences in life that shaped you as an individual?

I was profoundly influenced by my father, an engineer and corporate leader, who served as my early role model. I aspired to follow in his footsteps, driven by a passion for leading people, and creating a legacy in business. Throughout my youth, leadership roles naturally gravitated toward me, culminating in being offered to lead the marketing team of a medical services company after completing my internship.

Before this unexpected promotion, I first intended to pursue my sports career as a show jumper having attended university on a sports scholarship. Horseback riding has significantly shaped my leadership skills. The equestrian world taught me about balance, determination, and calm, conscious cooperation – lessons that I apply in my business endeavors to this day. In my formative years, I also acquired my passion for design, fashion, and contemporary art, which later turned into a commitment to integrating art into ACG's operations - a key factor in our success.

“In today's market, selfserving creativity has no place; i advocate for original, effective, & distinctive solutions aligned with measurable business goals”

As a business leader, I believe in the transformative power of the arts to inspire creativity and challenge conventions. Collaborating with talented creatives and staying attuned to current trends in fashion and design not only keeps me inspired but also supports the creative community. Family remains my foundation, with my husband's unwavering support and love being integral to my success. This holistic approach to life and work, shaped by diverse experiences and influences, has contributed to who I am today.

You have been a part of the marketing and advertising industry for over two decades. Can you briefly take us through your expansive professional journey?

My professional journey has been diverse and enriching. During my college years, I got the first taste of marketing when as an intern I worked with Coca-Cola’s marketing department, focusing on the domestic launch of Kinley. Later, when I stepped into the role of leading a marketing team, I had to work very hard to grow into my role. It was there and then when I needed to work with communication agencies and realized that there was a knowledge gap in the domestic agency landscape, where many prioritized creative solutions without a deep understanding of the brand, its market and business models. This gave me the idea to build an agency that offers relevant solutions to build a brand and a business.

In 2004, when I started ACG I curated a team blending creativity with strong business acumen, capable of comprehensively addressing market dynamics, business models, and consumer insights. In the subsequent 20 years, I have constantly been thriving for professional excellence and ACG has become a dominant player not just locally, but increasingly regionally creating numerous iconic, award-winning campaigns and employing the latest thinking and technologies. Thanks to our achievements, I was elected for the third time as the President of the Hungarian Association of Communication Agencies (MAKSZ), where my aim has been to make our industry future-proof, increase its visibility and its lobbying power, and attract more young talent.

In your opinion what have been the biggest 'wins' that you have achieved so far in your professional journey?

I would like to think that I have been on a journey of growth: helping clients to grow their businesses through their marketing, growing my own company from a couple of people to a six-department enterprise, and also growing myself as an individual. I have been following my passion, and being my own boss allows limitless creativity and freedom from external expectations. I've built a company with values aligned with my own, and I am surrounded by talented colleagues and inspiring clients. This fulfilling work-life balance extends to my family and my beloved hobby of horse riding. Living a fulfilled, happy, and balanced life- I consider this my greatest success.

What are your beliefs as a leader in marketing and advertising?

My philosophy centers around building strong, resilient brands for the long- term that create value for the customers. I think of a brand as a bridge between businesses and consumers, a bridge that is their shared ground. This requires authentic brand values relevant to the target audience that foster emotional connections and brand loyalty. In today's market, self-serving creativity has no place; I advocate for original, effective, and distinctive solutions aligned with measurable business goals. This mindset contributes to our longterm client relationships, a rarity in the project-based marketing landscape: we have clients that we have had the privilege to serve for 15+ years and also regional multi-country businesses.

Advice for aspiring women leaders:

A successful career doesn't mean sacrificing family and personal fulfillment. With commitment, passion, good time management, and conscious decision-making, one can lead both a successful professional life and a fulfilling family one.

Nikolett Blasko, CEO, ACG

Nikolett Blasko, born in 1973, is a trailblazing industry leader, CEO of ACG in Budapest. With degrees in Marketing, Advertising, and Economics, she founded ACG in 2004, specializing in branding and achieving global recognition for its creativity and effectiveness. Beyond her business prowess, Blasko champions social causes, leads charity projects, and supports women in business.