
Africa’s economic reset requires moving from ambition to execution
The Africa Commerce Convergence Summit keynote address identified four elements that must converge if the continent is to achieve a meaningful economic reset.
INDUSTRY BODIES
By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025
Ronnie becomes Chair at a time the MMA is rebranding and showing a stronger commitment to the sub-Saharan Africa region.
Fionna Ronnie, Executive Head of Customer and Loyalty at The Foschini Group, has been named as the new Chairperson of the Marketing and Media Alliance South Africa – commonly known as MMA SA.
With more than 18 years of experience in digital transformation, customer strategy and brand innovation, the MMA says Ronnie’s appointment reflects its “bold intent to shape the region’s marketing agenda through collaboration, creativity and purpose”.
With growth across sub-Saharan Africa in view, MMA South Africa will establish a Regional Executive Committee to guide expansion into key markets across the region, maintaining a strong local focus within global frameworks.
Fionna Ronnie. Photo: LinkedIn
Sarah Utermark, Regional Director for MMA SSA and South Africa, says this is an exciting next step for MMA in South Africa, one that reflects the ambition, collaboration and innovation already happening across our region.
More than just a name change
“Our renaming to the Marketing and Media Alliance isn’t just a name change, it signals a stronger commitment to empower CMOs and senior marketers in Africa to lead with purpose and proof,” she states.
“Our local industry has the ambition, the talent and the market relevance to shape global marketing’s future, and through this alliance, we are bringing that potential to life.”
MMA claims to be the only association that encompasses all parts of the marketing ecosystem at the governance level – including brand marketers, media, adtech, martech, agencies and consultants, all working together, in support of CMOs.
Comments Ronnie: “Our industry is evolving at unprecedented speed, and this moment demands leaders who can bridge creativity with commerce, and technology with humanity. The goal is to shape a marketing landscape that is dynamic, data-driven and deeply human, empowering South Africa to lead on the global stage,”

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