EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS

Ad agency VML South Africa makes two senior leadership appointments

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Danelle Stiles and Insaaf Khan move into new roles as VML embraces ‘big reinvention’ in the wake of significant industry changes.

Advertising and communications agency VML South Africa has appointed Danelle Stiles as Chief Operating Officer and Insaaf Khan as Chief Client Officer. Both are longstanding members of the local leadership team.

Danelle Stiles (left) and Insaaf Khan

Danelle Stiles (left) and Insaaf Khan. Photo: VML

Stiles, who takes over the role of COO from fellow co-founder Diane Wilson, has been a leader in the business since its founding. She was most recently Group Managing Director at VML South Africa. 

 

Khan previously held the position of Chief Growth Officer, where she spearheaded new business for the agency.  

 

“Insaaf brings a wealth of experience building powerful relationships with clients to this role. There is no-one I know who cares more and who works harder to give clients a Michelin-star experience, and I am delighted she has agreed to move into this new role,” says Jarred Cinman, Chief Executive Officer at VML South Africa. 

 

Of Stiles, he adds: “Danelle is one of the strongest, smartest and most resilient people I know, and I couldn’t be more excited for her to take this big next step in her career. She and I have partnered closely for two decades on the various iterations of this business, and I know better than most the dedication and experience she will bring to this role.” 

 

VML is the result of four advertising agency mergers over the past two years – first Wunderman Thompson with VMLY&R, then with Grey and The Hardy Boys. 

 

“It’s no secret that this has been a complicated process that is requiring a big reinvention of the organisation. The impact of artificial intelligence is also fundamentally challenging the way the industry operates and VML is adapting to these changes to create new opportunities,” the agency says in a statement. 

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Jason Lottering
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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.