EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS

Ashish Williams appointed SVP, Media by Publicis Groupe Africa

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Experienced African media industry executive returns to the continent after several years in Singapore, where he led EssenceMediacom.

Ashish Williams has been appointed Senior Vice President, Media, for Publicis Groupe Africa. He reports directly to Koo Govender, CEO of the group of 44 communications agencies with offices across 36 African countries. 

 

Williams returns to the African region from Singapore, where he served as Managing Director at EssenceMediacom, a marketing agency within GroupM, the media investment arm of WPP. He played a key role in enhancing the agency’s digital and data-led capabilities. 

Ashish Williams. Photo: Publicis

Prior to that, he was Chief Executive Officer of media agency MediaCom South Africa for five years, where he was instrumental in scaling the business and driving innovation. 

 

“Ashish joins us at an exciting moment,” says Govender. “His global experience, digital-first mindset and deep understanding of both the South African and wider African markets position him perfectly to lead the next chapter of growth for our media business.” 

 

According to a statement released by Publicis Groupe Africa, Williams will work closely with the leadership team to shape a more integrated, data-driven and client-centric media offering. 

 

“I am very excited to be returning to South Africa and probably even more excited to be joining Publicis, who I have been admiring from the sidelines for a few years now,” comments Williams. 

 

“I am also very excited to work with Koo Govender, as one of the top female leaders in our industry. It will be an honour to work with her and her executive team.”  

 

Williams holds an MBA in Marketing Management from Southern Adventist University in the US. 

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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.