Malawi’s marketers urged to put trust at the heart of the profession
Country needs marketers to build recognition and consumer trust around Malawian products and national brand, says Deputy Minister.
ADVERTISING INDUSTRY
Ogilvy appoints creative head of its sub-Saharan Africa network
By our News Team | 2022
Delna Sethna to take up Kenya-based role after earning numerous accolades while servicing the Colgate account in India.
Ogilvy Africa has appointed internationally experienced communications professional, Delna Sethna, as its Chief Creative Officer from 1 August. She is to be based in the Nairobi office and will head up the group’s creative offering in sub-Saharan Africa.
Sethna has more than 20 years’ experience in the creative and marketing space. She comes to Ogilvy from Red Fuse Communications, which is also part of the WPP group and is WPP’s integrated communication partner to Colgate India.
Photo courtesy of Ogilvy Africa
“We are really excited to welcome Delna as our new Chief Creative Officer for Africa,” says Ogilvy EMEA’s Stephan Vogel. “She has led dozens of innovative, exciting campaigns, and been recognised with a slew of industry-leading awards. We look forward to working with Delna, learning from her across clients and across our business.”
The role is a newly created position at Ogilvy Africa, as the agency gears towards further strengthening its position in the region.
A rare breed of ambidextrous creative
“Delna’s cross-functional experiences as a creative leader make her a rare breed of ambidextrous creatives who’s created successes playing at the intersections of marketing disciplines. She’s a valuable addition to our leadership team as we continue building world-class solutions which are made in Africa. [I am] delighted to welcome her as my creative partner in this journey,” says Vikas Mehta, CEO of Ogilvy Africa.
Sethna served as Executive Creative Director at WPP/Redfuse, where – among her other successes – she helped successfully relaunch the Palmolive brand to the Indian market.
After working as a filmmaker in the early part of her career, she entered the marketing sphere and rose rapidly through the ranks at several leading agencies. These include Lowe and Saatchi & Saatchi.
Among the creative accolades she has received have been at Cannes, D&AD, the #FemvertisingAwards, Spikes, Kyoorius and the Effies. She has also served on many awards juries and has been listed among the Women Who’ve Changed the Face of Media. She was named among India’s 50 Most Influential Women two years in a row.
“I am thrilled to be embarking on this new challenge at Ogilvy Africa,” says Sethna. “I am passionate about finding creative solutions to help clients achieve their strategic objectives. Being able to do that in a region as dynamic as Africa is a dream come true.”
Lingerie brand creates street-stopping advertising in Manhattan
Fashion brand suspends giant lingerie high above the city’s streets, using shadows to create a moving billboard for pedestrians and motorists.
We know AI influencers aren’t real – so why do we trust them?
Researchers describe AI influencers as having a ‘dual identity’. Consumers evaluate both ‘person’ and ‘technology’ identities at once.
Why trust has become a critical asset for hotel industry marketers
Reputation and trust, once modest influences on hotel choice, have become some of the strongest predictors of patronage, study finds.
FNB bank’s eBucks programme dominates the 2026 SA loyalty awards
South African brands are increasingly setting the global benchmark for customer loyalty strategies, organisers say.
Zambia’s strongest creative ideas are emerging from local truths
Global influences among younger consumers are still present, but they are being filtered through a distinctly Zambian lens.
Consumers have doubts about products when they’re designed by AI
Researchers find that lack of perceived ‘genuine care’ is the mechanism connecting AI involvement to lower trust ratings.
Top African marketing voices confirmed for AMC 2026
Explore the 2026 AMC Conference speaker line-up. Top African marketing voices gather in Zambia to tackle AI, AfCFTA, and brand power. Register today.
Broadcast Research Council confirms launch of total video measurement
New industry currency will bring South African television and online video audiences together in a single measurement system.
Sense of belonging and atmosphere are key to attracting event-goers
Making people feel that an event space reflects their values leads to long-term loyalty and spending. FOMO also plays its part.
Researchers examine why some AI ads fail while others succeed
Norms may change, but right now it’s better to err on the side of caution when using AI in advertisements, study finds.