Hermawan Kartajaya is a globally recognised visionary in modern marketing, renowned for his collaboration with Philip Kotler, the Father of Modern Marketing, in co-authoring twelve influential books since 1998. As the Founder and Chair of MCorp, Southeast Asia’s leading professional services firm in marketing consulting, research, and training, and the holding company of MarkPlus Inc. and MarkPlus Institute, he has played a pivotal role in shaping marketing practices across the region.

Kartajaya’s visionary contributions have earned him esteemed accolades, including recognition as one of the “50 Gurus Who Have Shaped the Future of Marketing” by the United Kingdom’s Chartered Institute of Marketing in 2003, and the Distinguished Global Leadership Award from the Pan-Pacific Business Association at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2009.

He has also been honored with a Lifetime Achievement in Marketing Award from Jawa Pos, an honorary doctorate (Doctor Honoris Causa in 2010) from ITS Surabaya, and Honorary Fellowship Awards from the Marketing Institute of Singapore (MIS) and the Institute of Marketing Malaysia (IMM).

His profound insights into the evolving landscape of marketing have garnered international acclaim, reflected in the widespread translations of his seminal book series, Marketing X.0, as well as the success of his other book series with Philip Kotler, Entrepreneurial Marketing, which introduces a fresh entrepreneurial marketing approach, converging dichotomies between entrepreneurship and professionalism into a coherent form.

With a unique blend of strategic foresight and practical expertise, Kartajaya continues to inspire and empower marketing professionals worldwide. His keynote address promises to offer invaluable insights and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the African marketing community.

In the field of marketing, PHILIP KOTLER has distinguished himself on many levels. He is an innovative thought leader, a revered educator, an accomplished author of over 50 books, well-traveled speaker, social activist, and trusted consultant to the world’s most recognized corporate brands. Mr. Kotler is the S.C. Johnson & Son Distinguished Professor of International Marketing at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and the author of Marketing Management (1967), now in its 14th edition and considered to be the definitive treatment of the discipline. Dubbed “The Marketing Guru” and “The Most Influential Marketer of All Time,” Dr. Kotler has secured standing as one of the great business thinkers of the past century.

Dr Syed Ferhat Anwar is a former Professor of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka; the leading business school of the country and has also served as the Director of the Institute and Founder President of Kotler Center for Marketing Excellence at the University of Dhaka. He has been in the teaching profession for more than 37 years. 

Dr Ferhat completed his PhD in Marketing Systems, jointly under University of New Brunswick Canada and University of Dhaka; and Post Graduate Diploma in University Teaching from University of New Brunswick Canada. He is also a postgraduate research fellow of Pennsylvania State University, USA and Indiana University at Bloomington, USA. Prior to his PhD he completed his MBA from IBA, University of Dhaka and B.Sc. (Honors) and M.Sc. in Biochemistry from University of Dhaka. 

In September 2022 he was elected as the President of Asia Marketing Federation for a period of two years. He is at present a Statutory Director in the board of Banglalink. He is also part of the advisory board member of Winrock international and a member of the trustee board of BRAC University. He is also involved with A2I with focus on strategies for SMART Bangladesh and application of 4IR technologies. He is also the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh Brand Forum. 

He has more than 75 publications in international and national journals and writer of 3 major books on business management. His most recent academic contribution has been a chapter on “Role of University of Dhaka in Entrepreneurship and Industrialization” on the 100th anniversary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and ‘NODI for Sustainable Society: Focusing on the Third Space’, as part of the centennial of the University of Dhaka.

In addition, as part of his Nation brand building venture, he has an exhaustive research on brand equity measurement of Bangladesh which was been published in a special journal in July 2022, dedicated to the centenary of University of Dhaka and 50 years of Bangladesh Independence. This paper was awarded as the best paper in Journal of Business Administration. Professor Ferhat is also an inspirational speaker and a thought leader of the Asian region.

As an academic, he has contributed immensely in the development of business education of Bangladesh. Apart from teaching at the premium business school of Bangladesh, he was part of the team who helped formation of top private and public universities of the country. These include the first private university; North South University, followed by East West University, University of Liberal Arts, and United International University. He was also the Pro Vice Chancellor of East West University during its inception. He also served with BRAC from 1981-1987, with his last assignment as the Export Manager. He also helped formation of the business schools of three major public university, including, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Khulna University, and University of Professionals (formation of MIST). In addition, he has also developed the CSR curriculum for three different faculties of the University of Dhaka. 

Dr Ferhat has visited various international and regional academic institutes as visiting scholar; including, Brunel University, UK; Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou, China; Harvard Business School, USA; Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore, India; Indiana University, Bloomington, USA; Kellogg School of North Western University, USA; Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Pakistan; National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai, India; Pennsylvania State University, USA; Putra Business School of Universiti Putra, Malaysia; Sri-Lankan Institute of Marketing (SLIM), Stern Business School of NYU, USA; Tribhuvan University, Nepal; Sri Lanka; Universiti Selengor, Malaysia; etc. 

He is also associated as member of various academic bodies of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Rajshahi University, University of Professionals, Begum Rokeya University, and Jagannatah University in Bangladesh. Dr. Ferhat has served as the Chairman National Bank Limited, Director of Asian Center for Development; Chief Patron of Marketing Society Bangladesh and Marketing Institute of Bangladesh; Founder Director of Bangladesh Marketing and Social Research Forum; Founder member of International Council for Small Business (ICSB), Bangladesh, which is an affiliate of Global ICSB, and Founder member of Institute of Management Consultants, Bangladesh. 

He has also served as an Independent Director in Meghna Bank and has served as Independent Director of the board of Singer (Bangladesh), the leading multinational electrical and electronic retail outlet. He also served as Independent Director of Bangladesh Diesel Plant, a business support venture of the Bangladesh Armed Forces and Moddhopara Mining Company an affiliate of Petrobangla. He served as Adviser to the Board of Center of Excellence for Bangladesh Apparel Industry (CEBAI) and Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI). He has also served as the 2nd Vice President of Asia Marketing Federation (AMF) and the Vice President of Association of Management Development Institutes of South Asia (AMDISA). 

He has been involved in many consulting assignments on marketing, social enterprise, and business strategy for various sectors, foremost being education, pharmaceuticals, apparel, ICT, real-estate, development, and agriculture. As a professional consultant he has completed more than 70 assignments and is still associated with government, multilateral, non-government, and private companies and business associations of the country. 

He is an ardent contributor in Nation Brand building initiatives and an active participator in developing public and private sector growth strategies for Bangladesh. He has been part of several government delegation for multilateral and bilateral policy issues of the country. Dr. Ferhat was born in 1957 in an educated family in Sylhet. His paternal grandfather was an educationist who did his postgraduation in education from Syracuse University, USA and travelled in UK and USA in the first quarter of the 20th century and was an academic bureaucrat in the undivided Assam and later in erstwhile East Pakistan.

His paternal Grandfather was a social activist who was awarded the highest honor of Erstwhile Pakistan and was an honorary Magistrate of Sylhet court. His father was amongst the first medical officers in the armed forces medical corps and joined the army medical corps in 1949. His mother was a home maker. In his personal life, Dr Ferhat has been enjoying his family life for almost 40 years. His wife is a social activist, founder of Sporsho an organization focusing on visually impaired and people under distress.

His daughter and son-in-law are practicing lawyers at the supreme court of Bangladesh and associated with the industry and the government. His grandson is the central pivot of his life. Dr Ferhat is a sports and cultural enthusiast. He has spent his life focusing on nation brand building, of his beloved motherland, Bangladesh; and will continue with this venture as the ultimate purpose of his life. He has travelled extensively across five continents to learn from societies.

Dr Ruth Ncube – Professional Profile:
Dr Ruth Ncube is a distinguished marketing professional with over 30 years of corporate leadership experience at C – Suit and executive levels. Holding a PhD, a Master’s in Business Administration, and an Executive Development Program from Witts, Dr Ncube has specialized in Marketing (IMM and CIM M) and holds several diplomas and certificates. With a proven track record in the telecoms, hospitality, banking, and insurance industries, Dr Ncube is renowned for their strategic vision and ability to drive business growth and innovation. 

Currently, Dr Ncube serves as the CEO of Terri Technologies, a leading company in the Southern African markets known for its innovative IoT solutions. Under Dr Ncube’s leadership, Terri Technologies has expanded its market presence, providing cutting-edge solutions such as Anti Intrusion in Transformers and tracking, vehicle tracking, speed limiters, fuel management systems for service stations and garages, and security guards badge protection devices and a full security suit of products. The company’s significant growth and success are a testament to Dr Ncube’ s exceptional leadership and strategic acumen. 

Dr Ncube is also a respected mentor and international speaker, regularly sharing insights on marketing trends, leadership, and business growth at global forums. Their commitment to nurturing emerging leaders and marketers has made a significant impact on the industry.

In addition to her executive role, Dr Ncube serves on various international and national strategic boards, including Health Guard International, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, Insurtec, and Agriculture Consultancy (AFC). These roles highlight Dr. Ncube’s dedication to corporate governance and their influence in shaping industry standards and practices. Previously, she has worked as a Managing Director of First Mutual Life, a leading Insurance

company in Zimbabwe.

Key Qualifications:
 PhD in Management Studies
 Master’s in Business Administration
 Executive Development Program, (Wits, Nottingham Trent)
 Marketing (IMM and CIM (M)
 Multiple Diplomas and Certificates

Areas of Expertise:
 Strategic Leadership and Vision
 Marketing Strategy and Execution
 Corporate Governance
 Innovation and Change Management
 Customer Relationship Management
 Business Development

Professional Achievements:
 Led high-impact projects across telecoms, hospitality, banking, and insurance
industries
 Recognized for exceptional leadership and contributions to corporate success
 Consistently achieved and exceeded business targets and goals

Board Memberships:
 Health Guard International
 Zimbabwe Revenue Authority
 Insurtec
 Agriculture Consultancy (AFC)

Dr Ncube is a born marketer of distinction with a solid and proven track record, known for their entrepreneurial acumen and commitment to excellence in all endeavours. Their contributions to the industry have made a lasting impact, and they continue to drive innovation and growth through their leadership at Terri Technologies and beyond.

Dr Ralf Strauss is Managing Partner of MarketingTechLab GmbH, Customer Excellence GmbH, initiator of the CMO Community and Digital CMO Community, Chairman of the Board European Marketing Confederation (EMC) and former longtime President of the German Marketing Association (DMV).

Previously, he was Senior Vice President Digitalisation Marketing & Sales at the Volkswagen Group, Global Head of Product Management CRM Marketing, Chief Marketing Officer, as well as Head of Corporate Strategy at SAP in Germany & Central Europe. He has published more than 60 publications, e.g. Marketing Planning by Design (2008) or the yearly Marketing Tech Monitor.

Mwewa Besa is a Fellow of the Zambia Institute of Marketing, with over 20 years of expertise in Academia, Marketing, Investment and Banking. With an international background, covering the United Kingdom, the United States and of course Zambia. Mwewa has consistently demonstrated transformative leadership in all the organizations that he has worked with, demonstrating sound leadership and business turnaround. Among his key strengths include, driving strong Customer centricity, Business transformation and aggressive cost containment.

In addition to managing a portfolio of real estate, Mwewa is the CEO of TransFrontier Management Services and is a project lead for a Fintech project that is poised to bring about global disruption in the Social Media space. He also seats on the Board of Matanga Village a Property Development Company, Chairman of Teen Vision Trust and was recently appointed to chair the Board of a South Africa based healthy drinks producer – Panda Roc. He is also the President of the Zambia Institute of Marketing and avid Karateka who is also president of our Zambia Martial Arts Federation. His passion is in helping transform the nation through mentorship

John Miles is the enthusiastic CEO of the New Zealand Marketing Association (NZMA). Since taking the helm in 2019, he has achieved a 60% growth in annual membership revenue and achieved five consecutive years of financial surpluses, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. His innovative leadership has significantly boosted member advocacy from 36% to average over 85% in 2024.

John has forged strategic partnerships with major global and New Zealand brands like YouTube, Westpac, Mediaworks, Adobe and Google, doubling event attendance and elevating the New Zealand Marketing Awards to record entries in 2024 and a sell out of the awards show with 1000 people attending.

With a background in various leadership roles across education and marketing, John is known for his strategic planning and creative problem-solving. He has an absolute commitment to team first and in the words of Richard Branson “learn to look after your team first and the rest will follow”. He is committed to driving innovation and excellence whilst having fun to help New Zealand Marketers be Brilliant.

When not a work he is a golf tragic, loves wining and dining and watching all things sport – go the All Blacks and the 10 gold medals from the New Zealand Olympic Team!

Presentation Topic:

Helping Marketers be Brilliant

John Miles, the CEO of the New Zealand Marketing Association (MA), will share insights on the “Helping Marketers Be Brilliant” strategy. This initiative has positioned MA as the leading marketing voice in New Zealand by prioritising member support, delivering high-quality education, delivering innovative events, and embracing digital advancements.

Key Highlights:

• Strategic Transformation: Since 2019, MA has ramped up member advocacy from 36% to average over 85% in 2024 by maintaining strong finances and surpluses, even during the pandemic.
• Innovation: MA has launched Professional Certifications in collaboration with the University of Canterbury, developed numerous workshops to address current demands, and hosted successful events such as the Digital Day Out, which drew over 600 participants in 2024.
• Member-Centric Initiatives: New offerings like the Platinum Club and the Marketing Disrupted online series have boosted member engagement and revenue, with recurring membership revenue increasing by over 60% since 2020. The 2024 Marketing Awards attracted a new sponsor, YouTube, gained record entries and has a sold out show with 1000 people attending.
• Building a Strong Community: MA) has successfully established a robust community, supported by five special interest groups and five regional committees, all driven by dedicated volunteers. Through these groups MA has expanded is presence across New Zealand and significantly enhanced networking opportunities for marketers nationwide.

Digital Advancement: A new digital platform and integration with HubSpot have significantly enhanced member experiences and improved operational efficiency

PROFILE – ISAAC GWUMAH CM    (www.isaacgwumah.com )

1. Country – Ghana

Current Position – Executive Director, Bureau of Market & Social Research Ltd (offices in Ghana/ Nigeria)   (www.marketresearch.com.gh )

Period in current role – 2009 to present (15years)

2. Years of experience in the commercial research field – 17years

3. Recognition awards/ special achievements –

• Awarded Chartered Marketer Status by CIMG (2023)
• Examiner for the Market Research and Insights Paper for the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (2022 to date)
• Founding member of the Ghana Market Research Association
• Member, Research Committee of the AMC

4. Highest level of education –

• PhD in Marketing Candidate (2019 to present) – University of Ghana (Research interest – Examining consumers’ adoption of digital payment brands in emerging markets – the role of brand extension fit)
• Master of Arts, Applied Social Research, 2006, University of Manchester
• Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing (2002) from CIM(UK);

5. Recent Publication-

The Ghana Regional Brand Index 2023 (published in 2024)

(Lead researcher and author for a major national destination brand research project undertaken in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana)

6. Preferred topic for AMC conference:

Harnessing data analytics for predictive marketing in uncertain times

7. Upcoming speaking engagements:

Keynote speaker/ Panel Participation – National Sales Leaders Conference in Ghana – August 2024 (The role of research and data analytics in sales effectiveness)

Moky Makura was born in Nigeria, educated in England and has lived in London, Johannesburg and Lagos. She has been a TV presenter, producer, author, publisher and a successful entrepreneur in her own right. She is currently the Executive Director of Africa No Filter, a donor collaborative focused on shifting the African narrative.   

Moky started her media career as the African Anchor and field reporter  for South Africa’s award-winning news and actuality show – Carte Blanche. She conceptualized, co-produced and presented a lifestyle TV series for the pan African pay TV channel MNet called “Living It”, which focused on the lifestyles of the African continent’s wealthy elite.  She also played a lead role in the groundbreaking and popular MNet Pan-African drama series Jacob’s Cross.  

Her book Africa’s Greatest Entrepreneurs with a foreword written by Richard Branson, featured on the top 10 best-selling business books in South Africa when it launched.  Moky has since compiled and published a number of non-fiction titles under her imprint MME Media. Titles include South Africa’s Greatest Entrepreneurs, Going Global which tells the stories of South Africa’s most successful global companies and a biography of one of its top entrepreneurs; Herman Mashaba, called Black Like You.  Moky started a fiction book series called Nollybooks aimed at getting young Africans to read, and then adapted the series for television co-producing over 21 television movies for  the South African TV station etv. The books are available on Worldreader, and Okadabooks.  

Watch Moky at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM6EnulUQf0   (Living it promo)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDLWWP8N6MU   (TED Talk on telling the African story)  

Ms. Susan Nsibirwa is managing director of Nation Media Group Uganda, effective 2nd January 2024. The role reports to the Group CEO with a dotted reporting line to the Monitor Publications Limited (MPL) Board Chairman.

Susan is responsible for leading MPL (Daily Monitor, KFM, and Dembe FM), The East African, Africa Broadcasting (U) Limited (NTV Uganda and Spark TV), and Nation Couriers to deliver their long-term strategy, business plans, and annual performance targets and maximize shareholder value.

Before joining NMG, Susan was the founder and Managing Director of Ayiva Consulting Solutions. Her professional journey, which spans significant roles at Vision Group, MTN Uganda, and dfcu Bank, among others, has equipped her with diverse skills and a deep understanding of the industry.

Susan serves various organisations on the Board of Directors. These include The Innovation Village, Greenhill Academy Limited, and Refactory.  She also sits on the Advisory Board of the Uganda Marketers Society (UMS). Previous board experience includes the African Centre for Media Excellence and Monitor Publications Ltd.

Susan is a marketing and communications professional with over twenty-five (25) years of experience, fifteen (15) of which in senior executive roles, successfully leading corporate, marketing, and communications teams and departments across diverse industries. She also has proven experience successfully implementing strategic corporate social responsibility programs and crisis management plans. She brings expertise in communication, business strategy, and building relationships with key stakeholders.

Susan’s academic background is equally impressive. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Nicosia, Cyprus, and a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Makerere University. Her commitment to professional development is further evidenced by her membership in the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

In August 2024, Susan emerged 5th among Uganda’s 100 Leading and Most Admired CEOs. She was also a National Medal Recipient (Diamond Jubilee) on International Women’s Day 2020, an award handed over by President Yoweri Museveni, a testament to her professional achievements and contributions to the industry.

With over 18 years of experience, Selamekristos Belay has built a career dedicated to value creation in various avenues of marketing, customer service, service operations, and brand leadership. He began his journey at a small consulting firm in 2006, then joined Ethiopian Airlines in 2008 as a customer service agent, honing his operations management skills in cargo traffic handling. In 2011, he joined DHL Express Ethiopia, where he managed airport operations at the Addis Ababa Airport Gateway.

Driven by a desire to create a meaningful impact, Selamekristos joined Greenlight Planet in 2013. Here, he was instrumental in setting up the importation and distribution of solar products to Ethiopia, a project that aimed to address energy poverty. His role at Greenlight Planet provided him with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in the energy sector. In 2015, he moved to Unilever Ethiopia, working on brands like Lifebuoy and Signal, inspired by Unilever’s vision of making sustainable living commonplace. His dedication led to his appointment as Marketing Head in 2018, where he also took on the role of East Africa Nutrition Lead in 2020.

As the Africa Nutrition Platform Director, Selamekristos leads product development and advertising campaigns across Africa for the Nutrition category in Unilever. His belief in market solutions to combat poverty is reflected in his personal motto: “Running away from poverty, in hindsight, chasing poverty away.” His leadership and dedication continue to inspire and lead for positive change and a better future for all through the enhanced role of marketing.

Lucy steers the global content strategy for LIONS Intelligence, delivering insights and lessons from creatively impactful brands and people through reports, presentations, events and at the Cannes Lions Festival. Prior to joining LIONS, she spent five years at WARC generating advertising effectiveness case studies and presenting at industry events. She launched the WARC Awards for Effectiveness and the WARC Media Awards, and ran regional strategy awards in Asia and MENA. She also led WARC’s partnerships with industry associations including the IPA, the ANA and the 4As. Before joining WARC, Lucy worked at Contagious following a stint as a freelance writer, contributing to The Guardian and The Independent, among other titles. This followed roles as Reports Editor at Campaign and Associate Editor at M&M Global.

Prof Emmanuel Chao is Director of Tanzania marketing association and associate professor at Mzumbe University, Tanzania. He holds a PhD and Msc (International Business and Management) from Agder University-Norway and a bachelor degree of marketing from Mzumbe University Tanzania. Prof Chao holds other senior positions in several organizations such as a board member for Consumer Choice Awards Africa, associate chair of CEOs and Scholars forums and a founder and a chair of the international conference of business and management in emerging markets (ICBMEM)(www.icbmem.org). Apart from academics and research, Prof Chao is a General Secretary of an international faith organization that have several projects, thousands of leaders and branches in Africa, Europe, Asia and North America. Prof Chao is currently an affiliate researcher at Agder University school of Business and Law in Norway, coordinator of doing sustainable business in Africa Program at BI-Norwegian Business School (Oslo Norway). 

Further, he is a coordinator for Sustain Project (sustainable business development and supply chain) that is coordinated by Jima University (Ethiopia), Mzumbe University (Tanzania) and BI-Norwegian Business School (Norway). Prof Chao is an editor of the journal of applied marketing science and journal of international business and management in emerging markets.

Prof Chao has impacted hundreds of marketing professionals and academicians (students and lecturers) through training programs, annual marketing congress and marketers networking events. Prof Chao has pioneered the development of professional marketing in Tanzania through the marketing awards events which recognize excellence in marketing. Prof Chao has also impacted hundreds of young business leaders through the young CEOs mentorship programs that he runs in partnership with senior CEOs. Through the keynote speeches, Prof Chao has provided marketing insights for building sustainable enterprises to a wider group of stakeholders and organizations.

Prof Chao has conducted research in the areas of marketing, international business, entrepreneurship and alternative financing. He has also published several papers in a wide international outlets such as International Business research, Journal of Global marketing, Journal of business to business relations, Journal of knowledge management and practice, Journal of relationship marketing, International journal of Business and Management, International Journal of Business research and management and several others. Prof Chao has also provided consultation and research services to local and international organizations such NMB Bank, Equity Bank, NBC Bank, TBC (Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation), Tanzania Cigarrate Company PLC, Mwananchi Commiunications Ltd, CFAO Motors, IIE (International Institute of Education) (funded by USAID), UNDP, IAGRI and several others.

Emuron is not just a creative professional; he is a cultural bridge, a storyteller whose narratives transcend borders and a visionary who brings African stories to the global stage.

From saving an endangered rhino to reducing HIV spread among the continents youth and appealing to octogenarians to embrace mobile technology, he has spent the last two decades creating brand changing stories across multiple categories in over 34 African countries by fishing for deeply rooted local insights using interactions in everyday settings like local markets and bars across Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Emuron’s diverse talents extend to writing content for Netflix and voicing characters for children’s shows and his skill in weaving captivating narratives that connect cultures and inspire audiences globally has seen him garner numerous awards including; Cannes Lions, Dubai Lynx Grand Prix, Grand Clios, Leories and more. 

He has also served as jury member at a host of awards shows

Dr Jimmy Wong is an Associate Professor at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and is the Deputy Head of the Master of Management program. His diverse career, from engineering to pharmaceuticals, has been enriched by a PhD in Marketing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr Wong recently pivoted his research to focus on applying AI and service robots in public institutions and business organisations through consulting projects. He teaches innovative courses such as “AI and Marketing” and “The Future of Work” for undergraduate and postgraduate working adults, highlighting the integration of AI in contemporary business practices. His research has also been published in notable journals like the European Journal of Marketing and Consumer Psychology. Dr Wong actively participates in consultancy with SMEs in Singapore, bringing theoretical research into practical business contexts. 

Catherine is an accomplished marketing professional with a rich career that reflects both strategic acumen and a deep commitment to personal and professional growth. With a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (B. Com) from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Catherine has held key marketing positions across renowned multinational companies, including Diageo, Heineken East Africa and GlaxoSmithKline.

Recognized for their exceptional leadership, Catherine has a talent for fostering collaboration and creativity within teams, enabling them to reach their highest potential. Their approach to leadership is deeply influenced by their dedication to making a meaningful impact, growing people, and embracing challenges that inspire innovative thinking.

Currently, Catherine serves as the Marketing and Innovations Director at Uganda Breweries, a subsidiary of East African Breweries Limited (EABL) and ultimately Diageo. In this role, they drive brand growth and market innovation, pushing boundaries and setting new standards within the industry.

Beyond their professional achievements, Catherine is a devoted wife and mother to two beautiful daughters. Family values are at the core of who they are, grounding them in their purpose of inspiring others to aspire and achieve. Their commitment to both family and career exemplifies a balanced approach to life that is as inspiring as it is impactful.

Diligent, hardworking, and passionate, Catherine believes that every impossibility holds a solution. This belief not only drives their own success but also empowers those around them to overcome challenges and reach their fullest potential.

She is passionate and drives for results, has skills on enabling people and teams to achieve their potential, expertise on the work, and commitment to excellence. Her ability to navigate complex challenges and contribute to the success of UBL’s marketing initiatives has been quoted as invaluable.

James is the Strategy and Commercial Director for The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), a Fellow of CIM and The Royal Society of Arts, Manufacturing and Commerce (RSA), and formally a Board Director of GlobalFM and member of the UK Government Built Environment Professional Education Board. ​

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With over 20 years of experience in professional associations and education, he is responsible for working with the Board and executive to develop and drive strategies for the benefit of CIM’s customers and the profession as a whole. He also leads the CIM public training business and its Business Solutions team, supporting tens of thousands of marketers and hundreds of businesses each year to develop their marketing capability and impact.  ​

 ​

James has a proven track record of leading organisational change, having served as CEO for two professional associations and held a number of directorial positions, across various business functions. He is passionate about the role and responsibility professional associations and educators have in shaping professions, the people within them and ultimately how they drive social, economic and environmental prosperity.

Winner of the prestigious Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG) “Marketing Practitioner of the Year (2021)” award. Recognised innovative marketing, communications & customer experience leader with a wealth of international experience creating impact for diverse brands and institutions. Strategist, mentor, academic, industry thought leader and social supporter.

Highlights

• Winner of the prestigious Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG) Marketing Practitioner of the Year (2021)
• 14-year career spanning Ghana, pan-Africa, USA, and the UK with executive and board experience
• Proven reputation for strategising, building & managing marcoms business units, e.g., Hollard, Ogilvy, etc.
• Proven ability to create impact: built Hollard brand awareness in under 2.5 years, positively affecting revenue growth.
• Proven ability to influence business growth: tripled Ogilvy Ghana/West Africa business revenue and Hollard revenue growth.
• Proven ability to strategise, coordinate and drive internal stakeholder engagement and culture building at various employers.
• Industry thought leader with personal, expert, and positional influence evidenced by public & media engagements.
• Numerous successful go-to-market, marketing & communications implementations for companies, including SupaCem, etc.
• Successful pan-Africa work, e.g., executing a Rockefeller Foundation-funded African media conference in Italy, for media NGO

Expertise
Marketing | Public Relations/Affairs | Influence & Reputation Management | Customer Experience| Strategic & Corporate Comms | Media & Government Relations | Digital & Social |Content Management | Business, Brand & Program Development |CSI, Social Impact & Sustainability |Talent Development |Events, etc.

Akofa Ata is a visionary executive with progressive FMCG, Clean Energy and Agribusiness background.  

Akofa is currently the Director of Channels  at KOKO Networks. KOKO Networks is tech enabled clean cooking business that uses bio ethanol as the cooking fuel for its Smart Cookers. KOKO network has acquired more than 1.3m customers in Kenya alone and is looking to expand across the continent in the coming years. 

Prior to joining KOKO Networks, Akofa founded Ardhi Farms. Ardhi is a climate smart agribusiness with a Purpose to provide food security to all Africans 

Akofa’s experience spans over 22 years of Sales, Marketing and General Management experience including Sales Director for Unilever in Ghana and Regional Brand Development Director, Deodorants for Unilever across Africa. 

His past work with Unilever offered him diverse International exposure and experience while serving in various capacities in West Africa, South East Asia, Nordic countries and South Africa. 

Akofa was the Managing Director (MD) of Unilever Tanzania Limited from November 2014 to November 2018 when he decided to dedicate his time to the setting up of ARDHI Farms Limited 

Akofa graduated with Master of Arts in Marketing from the Birmingham City University, UK and a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered institute of Marketing. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana and a Chartered Marketer  

Akofa is passionate about building the next generation of Leaders with Integrity in Africa. He is also passionate about working towards a food secure Africa. 

• Managing Director, Essential Werkz Pte Ltd
• President, Marketing Institute of Singapore
• President, Marketing Institute of Singapore Business School
• CEO & Founder, Marketing Institute of Singapore Academy
• President – Asia Pacific Shitoryu Karatedo Federation (29 countries)
• Chief Representative – The China Council for promotional of International Trade Commercial Sub Council for Singapore (CCPITCSC)
• 2nd Vice President of the Asia Marketing Federation (18 countries)
• Head of Education committee – Asia Marketing Federation
• Vice President of Mixed Martial Arts Singapore Association (MMAS)
• Patron – Punggol East Citizens’ Consultative Committee (Singapore)
• Teochew Entrepreneur GRAND Promising Award (ASEAN), awarded by Teochew Poit IP Huay Kuan
• University College Dublin, Ireland (UCD) Alumnus of the year 2014
• Kotler Awards 2018 – Excellence in Marketing Innovation & Successful Entrepreneur Award 2011
• Master of Science (Honors) – UCD
• Currently pursuing Doctor of Business Administration program at the Singapore University of Social Science (SUSS)

Saiesh Ajudhiya heads the Media, Creative, and Innovation team for Kantar’s Insights Division in South Africa. His career spans the agency, entrepreneurship, and client-side roles. Saiesh believes in the power of testing advertising effectiveness to shape the narratives that capture audiences, drive brand growth, and evaluate campaigns to determine the best media strategies. His unique analytical skills and creative insight enable him to guide brands through innovation testing.  You will find him out on a lake fly fishing or building forts with his daughter in his downtime! 

Media Mix Mastery: Consumer-Centric Strategies 

Africa’s growth is powered by its youthful and innovative society, with technology playing a pivotal and promising role. Due to the evolution of digital technology and socio-political events, media mix decisions are increasingly complex. Consumer opinions on advertising are evolving. Through Kantar’s Media Reactions approach, we can measure ad receptivity, providing insights into advertising formats and environments. 

Daniel is the Managing Director of Kantar Insights in East Africa and Chief Growth Officer for West, East, and Central Africa. Daniel has worked across Africa and the Middle East for the last eleven years, managing numerous domains including Brand Strategy, Brand Guidance, and Customer Experience. He holds an MBA from Warwick Business School, specializing in international business strategy, brand management, and market segmentation. He is also a leader of Kantar’s Sustainable Business practice in Africa, helping brands identify opportunities to meet consumer needs through ethical and sustainable business practices.

Helen McIntee is currently the elected President of the African Marketing Confederation (AMC). She holds the degrees BA in Psychology (WITS) and Masters in Business Administration (MBA) (WBS). Previous roles have included Academic and Managing Director of the IMM Graduate School (a position she held for 17 years), Senior Lecturer at Wits Business School and Executive Director at the Open Window Institute. After a career of holding senior marketing positions in the corporate world, Helen was also a visiting lecturer in marketing at Rhodes Investec Business School, the University of Stellenbosch Business School and the Graduate School of Business at the University of Cape Town. Ms. She is also a published author, a well-known marketing professional, an international keynote speaker and a marketing journalist.