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Ad agency Boomtown announces appointment of new Managing Director

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2024

Firdous Osman joins the independent ad agency from the Publicis Groupe, where she held senior leadership positions.

Africa-focused advertising agency Boomtown has announced the appointment of Firdous Osman as Managing Director.  

 

She joins the agency with a string of credentials – including being named Africa’s Women Leader in 2020, South Africa’s Women Leader in 2021, and Global Woman Leader in 2023 by the World Women Leadership Congress. 

 

Her role will extend across both the ad agency’s SA offices – one in Johannesburg and the other in the city of Gqeberha (formerly named Port Elizabeth) – as well as servicing clients in Cape Town, broader Africa, the UK and the US.

Osman leaves Publicis Groupe, where she was Managing Director of Saatchi & Saatchi South Africa. Before that, she spent 14 years of her career at Ogilvy SA. 

 

Boomtown CEO, Glen Meier, says he is determined to take the 30-year-old advertising agency to the next level in the coming months. Accordingly, he has listed ‘building a better agency building better brands’ as Osman’s priority. 

 

Firdous Osman. Photo supplied

“Given Firdous’ self-confessed obsession for passion for creativity across all sectors of an agency’s disciplines, plus her entrepreneurial mind and challenger mentality, we have no doubt she is the right person to help us hone our product,” Meier says. 

 

“To have a leader of her pedigree on our team as we seek to lift our game further, and move us another rung or three or five up the ladder, is a privilege and testament to our growth trajectory and mission.” 

 

Boomtown has several big-name clients 

 

Among the big-name clients acquired by Boomtown in the past three years are Wimpy, Nestle and Pepsico. 

 

“As one of the few independent agencies in our country, Boomtown has stood the test of time,” Osman says. 

 

“Over the years, it has pivoted into a fully integrated agency that is relentless in its pursuit for creative excellence, obsessed with growing talent, and uncompromising in building quality and meaningful relationships with clients. 

 

“Its culture – which places authenticity, care and a determination to polish the raw talent and potential of its people – resonates deeply with me.” 

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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.