
World Marketing Council takes its first steps on the global stage
First Vice President outlines vision to champion professional excellence, ethical practice and innovation in marketing worldwide.
A.M.C. MEMBER NEWS
By our News Team | 2022
December event will discuss topical issues that defined the year, as well as those envisaged to become trends and game-changers in 2023.
The Uganda Marketers Society (UMS) has launched the Annual Marketers Fireplace at the MoTIV creative community in Bugolobi, Kampala.
The Fireplace is a full-day event that brings marketers and stakeholders to a workshop to discuss topical issues that defined the year, as well as those envisaged to become trends and game-changers in the following year.
UMS President, David Balikuddembe, speaking at the launch. Photo credit: UMS
“We recognise the importance of career development. That is why we organise events such as the Marketers Fireplace to equip marketers with the latest marketplace trends that will enable them to excel and take up marketing leadership roles,” stated UMS President, David Balikuddembe, at the launch.
This year, UMS has put together a stellar lineup of speakers, including PR Smith – a TEDx speaker, digital marketing author, and creator of the SOSTAC® framework. The other is an author and digital marketer, Dr Dave Chaffey – plus other subject matter experts on the theme ‘Driving growth through digital transformation’.
This year’s Fireplace will occur on Friday, 2 December, at Protea Hotel By Marriott Kampala Skyz in Naguru.
Marketing practitioners shaping the narrative
Doreen Nyiramugisha, the UMS General Secretary, added, “This opportunity is for us to shape the narrative surrounding this industry as marketing practitioners. The face of the African consumer is rapidly changing with increased digitisation, and marketers must be steps ahead of this transformation by continuously pursuing learning opportunities. This is where UMS comes in.”
The event will also gather experts from the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) and the Uganda Advertising Association (UAA).
Stephen Mwanga, PRAU President, highlighted that such initiatives aimed at supporting practitioners are timely, and all sectors are now looking for well-developed marketing and communications departments.
“As an industry leader that has shaped the marketing world, we are honoured to partner with UMS as they continue to nurture and build a community of reputable marketers in Uganda,” said Caroline Ampaire from Uganda Breweries Limited.
“Vision Group is happy to partner with UMS, and we pledge support to ensure all practitioners are aware and participate in this event,” said Rogers Anguzu, Vision Group’s Head of Marketing.
UMS also announced that it has won the bid to host the 2023 Africa Marketers Conference of the African Marketing Confederation (AMC). UMS joined the AMC early this year as its 10th member.

First Vice President outlines vision to champion professional excellence, ethical practice and innovation in marketing worldwide.

Zambian organisers of the 2026 gathering officially hand over the baton to an ecstatic Ethiopian delegation. Rwanda to host in 2028.

Opening plenary hears that securing Africa’s economic future requires businesses to discover new customers and cross-border opportunities.

Participants challenged to identify, articulate and commercialise the cultural assets that make their brand ready for a global audience.

Second outlet planned for Nairobi before year end, with Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco said to be future target markets.

Online search behaviour has changed significantly with the rise of AI. How can African brands adapt to this new marketing landscape?

Researchers propose a framework for packaging that senses, learns and acts – making packaging an active, AI-powered tool against food waste.

Country needs marketers to build recognition and consumer trust around Malawian products and national brand, says Deputy Minister.

Fashion brand suspends giant lingerie high above the city’s streets, using shadows to create a moving billboard for pedestrians and motorists.

Researchers describe AI influencers as having a ‘dual identity’. Consumers evaluate both ‘person’ and ‘technology’ identities at once.

Reputation and trust, once modest influences on hotel choice, have become some of the strongest predictors of patronage, study finds.