
Launching a new product during a recession can pay off, study shows
Researchers find fewer competitors and lower manufacturing and marketing costs contribute to product-launch successes during a recession.
AGENCIES
By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025
Advertising and public relations company will provide support to Airtel in 12 of its 14 African markets.
Telecommunications and mobile money service provider, Airtel Africa, has appointed Publicis Groupe Africa as its integrated marketing partner across 12 markets on the continent. This follows a pitch process.
Simon Berry via Flickr
The collaboration will span Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Niger, Chad, Gabon, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi and Madagascar. Certain other markets still being discussed.
Airtel Africa is a British company majority owned by the Indian telecommunications multinational, Bharti Airtel. Publicis Groupe Africa is part of the French-based advertising and public relations business, Publicis Groupe.
“This partnership is not only a win for Publicis Groupe Africa but a testament to truly
borderless, collaborative and future-forward marketing across the continent. We deeply value Airtel’s confidence in our team and look forward to our partnership and building something truly impactful together,” says CEO Koo Govender.
Support long-term brand ambitions in African
According to a press release, Publicis is working with its affiliate in Nairobi, The Partnership Africa, to drive strategy, creative, storytelling, media, digital expertise, and data to support Airtel’s long-term brand ambitions in the African region.
“Thanks to the rest of our affiliate network, this collaboration enables the delivery of scalable, market-relevant campaigns while maintaining cultural nuance and local engagement,” Publicis states.
“This partnership signals a long-term commitment to transforming how Airtel Africa engages communities and customers across the continent.”
Airtel Africa claims to be the second-largest telecom operator in Africa and to be the number one or number two mobile-service provider by customer market share in 13 out of 14 markets. It has around 143-million mobile subscribers, 57-million data subscribers and 34-million Airtel Money users.
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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.