Name: Martina Gordeen
Company: SixtySix Agency
Job Title: Founder & Content Creator
Martina Gordeen is the founder of SixtySix – an agency dedicated to helping talent and businesses build authentic relationships with their consumers. Leveraging the knowledge she gained as a blogger and content creator, Martina recognised the power of her unique access to communities and insights, positioning herself as a trusted resource for brands, organisations, and individuals seeking innovative ideas and valuable connections. Since embarking on her mission to simplify strategy for all, she has crafted impactful strategies for notable clients such as Tinie Tempah, Wunmi Bello, Melanie Eusebe MBE and companies including VAMP UK, Sony/RCA and Rated M. When she’s not strategising, she works to improve access to industry-related information for BAME creatives – a cause she’s incredibly passionate about due to her initial experiences starting out as a young, Black, neurodiverse woman. Her expertise and contributions to the industry have been recognised through prestigious accolades, such as her inclusion in the Alt Marketing School Top 100 Marketers list for 2024 and being honoured as one of Pitch Fanzine’s Super People for 2023.
Question 1: Who would you say is someone pivotal to your journey so far?
Prisca Moyesa was my first proper mentor and someone who really helped with my self-belief. I remember sliding into her DMs on Twitter asking for her to mentor me and after clarifying what I wanted from a mentor, she took me in. From bringing me on shoots with her to monthly catch-ups, Prisca really made me feel capable and deserving of taking up space as a Black woman. Not only did we talk about work, she also helped me navigate personal situations which was important because I feel like we underestimate how our personal life can impact our ability to show up as our best self in our work.
Question 2: Who would be your ideal mentor, and why?
Karen Civil is a woman that makes me feel like I can do anything. I’ve been in awe ever since learning about how she influenced/developed Beats’ artists partnership strategy and how that helped to position her as the go-to person for such work. I just think she’s a super cool woman trying to change the way things are done and so am I.
Question 3: What advice would you give the next Trailblazer looking to break into your field?
You have to learn to trust yourself. Seeking a second opinion is always good but not if it’s because you’re seeking validation. Sometimes your ideas are too different for some to understand but that doesn’t mean thet shouldn’t be executed. you can never truly know what’ll work, you’ll only know what worked last time and hopefully it’ll work again.
Question 4: Who would you like to spotlight as your Trailblazer?
Shelby Bootle, she runs an organisation called Hey Sis, that aims to create nationwide safe spaces for women and girls to exist, create, express and connect without limitations or expectation. An incredible young woman with a big heart.