Airline body urges African governments to act on opening market access
‘Strategies don’t move people. Now it is time to make the difficult decisions and execute them,’ senior executive stresses.
EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS
Dentsu X appoints Marcel Swain as Managing Director for South Africa
By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025
Swain has more than 20 years of experience in brand transformation, product innovation and strategic growth.
Global agency network Dentsu X has announced the appointment of Marcel Swain as Managing Director for South Africa. The agency says it is a strategic move to drive its expansion across the continent.
With over 20 years of experience in global marketing and innovation, Swain brings with him extensive expertise in brand transformation, product innovation and strategic growth. He was previously Head of Marketing: Premium at Heineken in South Africa, and has also held marketing and business development roles with Heineken in the Netherlands.
Marcel Swain. Photo: Dentsu
The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Dentsu X, following its expansion into South Africa. The agency positions itself as an integrated agency network combining communication and media planning services, content creation, technology, data and behavioural insights.
“Marcel’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Dentsu X. His passion for innovation and expertise in crafting compelling brand narratives align perfectly with our mission to redefine consumer experiences,” says Roxana Ravjee, CEO of Dentsu South Africa.
Impactful results for brands across the region
“With Marcel at the helm, we are poised to push the boundaries of engagement and deliver impactful results for brands across the region.”
Comments Swain: “Dentsu X’s commitment to innovation and integration aligns perfectly with my passion for creating experiences that truly go beyond. I’m excited to join the team and fuse media, tech, data and content to develop world-class experiences that resonate.
“I’m an advocate for fostering collaboration between people and businesses, so that we can deliver breakthrough and sustainable initiatives that leave a lasting impact.”
Swain holds a Bachelor of Technology in Public Relations/Image Management from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. He has also completed management courses with Instead and the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).
Dentsu was founded in 1901 in Japan and is now present in over 145 countries and regions. Its global client base includes Jaguar Land Rover, LVMH and Netflix.
Uganda Tourism Board partners with major European ice hockey league
UTB says its ambition is to turn the visibility into interest, bookings and more visitors choosing to explore Uganda.
Researchers explain why 10-second micro ads outperform longer spots
Short ads shown on TV increased website visits within five minutes of airing by 10-40% compared with longer advertisements.
Competition continues to grow in the Moroccan supermarket sector
Supeco’s rapid expansion shows how the discount model is becoming a bigger part of grocery retail in the North African country.
Study identifies harmful paradox behind well-meaning green efforts
Consumers reward visible eco-friendly additions such as reusable bottles, but give little credit to businesses that reduce or remove products.
President Mahama commissions expanded evaporated milk facility in Ghana
Nestlé believes Ghana will continue to play a leading role in the future of Central and West Africa.
Momentum beginning to build for 2027 ACCS gathering in Addis Ababa
Ethiopia’s marketers gather to celebrate hosting next year’s conference – but with an eye on the hard work ahead.
PwC report examines the future of African entertainment and media
Tech is creating more ways for audiences to connect, but lasting value will come from understanding the people behind those connections.
Unilever investment expands its Vaseline production capacity in Africa
The new production line at the historic Maydon Wharf facility in Durban will address growing international demand.
World MICE Awards in Jamaica honour best African and global achievers
Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and South Africa all feature in the African meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions awards.
AI won’t replace market research. But it will expose weak strategy
Much of the broader conversation around AI in market research assumes conditions that do not consistently exist across many African markets, writes Soyinka Witness.