For over a year, Franklin Ozekhome and Charles Alade have been working behind the scenes to build something different—something that doesn’t fit neatly into the traditional marketing playbook. That effort has now taken shape as Maskvrade, a new venture that aims to help brands navigate the evolving intersection of culture, technology, and business.
Ozekhome, a well-known strategist in the branding and marketing space, has been repeatedly asked: “Are you still in advertising?” His answer is layered. “I’m still deep in the world of brands, culture, and strategy,” he says, “but in a way that goes beyond traditional marketing.”
Maskvrade isn’t ‘merely’ about running campaigns or chasing consumer trends. Instead, the company is focused on decoding new spaces within existing markets, uncovering emerging consumer segments, and designing future-ready strategies. Ozekhome and Alade believe that culture is constantly shifting, and brands that don’t adapt will struggle to stay relevant.
“We’re working with marketers and visionaries who understand that pop culture isn’t just entertainment—it’s business,” says Ozekhome. “The brands that win are the ones that know how to move with culture, not just react to it.”
At its core, Maskvrade is about helping brands see beyond the obvious—leveraging AI, cultural intelligence, and deep market insights to anticipate shifts before they happen. “We’re not just here to sell products,” Ozekhome says. “We’re here to help brands build meaning in a world that’s changing faster than ever.”
Maskvrade marks a new chapter for both founders—one that promises to redefine how brands engage with culture in a way that is real, relevant, and built for the future.