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ADVERTISING TALENT

Ogilvy ad agency boss lauds the marvellous talent of Africa

By our News Team | 2021

‘We have an amazing wealth of talent across our continent,’ says leading agency chief executive in global TV interview.

In an interview with broadcast news giant CNN, Ogilvy South Africa’s Group CEO, Enver Groenewald, talked of the potential of the African continent. His comments covered the agency’s role on the continent, and how and where advertising dollars will come from in the future.

The potential payoff for brands is significant. Household spending across Africa is expected to be worth an estimated US$2.5-trillion by 2030. But marketing products to this vast consumer base is tricky. The rapid growth of mobile phone adoption across the continent means international advertising giants like Ogilvy have had to develop new strategies.

“I want Ogilvy to be a force for social change in Africa. I go back to the idea of us not seeing brands and the power of brands only through the lens of the transactional relationship between the consumer and the product,” he said.

Photo by Oswald Elsaboath on Unsplash

“I think brands can play a powerful role in creating social cohesion and social justice in Africa.”

Purpose-led marketing and brands

He continued: “Look at what we call purpose-led marketing and purpose-led brands. For Ogilvy that has to be the space that we absolutely own and occupy, and take a leadership position in. That is absolutely the right thing to do.”

“We have an amazing wealth of talent across our continent. I don’t think that talent in Africa, particularly from an advertising industry perspective, has to stand back for any other region. Some people may have that perspective that if the advertising doesn’t come from a North American perspective or Western European perspective, it’s not that great because those territories and regions are the benchmark. I reject that completely.

“I’m talking about African creative talent not trying to emulate any other region, but remaining authentic and true to what is intimately African. And I just want to qualify what I mean when I say typically Africa, because Africa is not one country. If you’re a creative in Lagos versus a creative in Accra or a creative in Cape Town, you’ve got very different perspectives and very different definitions of authenticity,” says Groenewald.

Source: cnn.com

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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.