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EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS

Publicis Groupe announces new COO appointment to its EMEA team

By our News Team | 2023

Demet Ikiler, described as ‘one of the most progressive leaders of the industry’, moves after two decades with rival group WPP.

Publicis Groupe, the French-based multinational advertising and public relations company, has announced a senior executive appointment to its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) team.

Demet Ikiler is the new Chief Operating Officer of Publicis EMEA, in a bid to bring what the company says is a new dynamic of leadership to the region.

Executive Appointments

Photo credit: Publicis Groupe

She joins after spending more than 20 years at rival company WPP, where she was a member of GroupM’s global leadership team as CEO of GroupM EMEA and WPP Country chair, responsible for “scaling and delivering more innovative cross-culture solutions for clients”.

UK-based WPP owns the likes of GroupM, Ogilvy, Wunderman Thompson, VMLY&R, and Grey Group.

A graduate of Istanbul University, Ikiler is described in her LinkedIn profile as “a powerhouse of the Turkish communications scene collaborating with leading local and global brands”.

Powerful female CEO with many accolades

“Considered the undisputed doyenne of the sector, Demet has been listed in the top 10 most powerful female CEOs in Turkey for the last five years, amongst numerous other similar accolades,” the profile says.

Reporting to Publicis CEO EMEA, Loris Nold, Ikiler will focus on creating a joined-up and collaborative EMEA region, ‘strengthening connectivity and scaling expertise’ and capabilities for clients and opportunities for talent.

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome such an outstanding leader and inspiring person as Demet to the Publicis family,” Nold said.

“I have been hoping to partner with her for years and cannot envisage a better way to take on our greater ambition for the EMEA region.

“She brings the unique combination of a proven track record in leading clients and operations at scale, as one of the most progressive leaders of the industry, with a thorough understanding of the EMEA ecosystem as well as a passion for equality, diversity and inclusion.”

Publicis Groupe Africa operates from Johannesburg and is also a stakeholder in upwards of 60 agencies across the African continent.

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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.

  • 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.