MARKETING TALENT

Ford South Africa appoints Tarryn Knight as new Head of Marketing

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Experienced auto industry marketer joins after almost two decades with the Volkswagen and Audi brands in SA.

Ford South Africa has appointed experienced automotive industry marketer Tarryn Knight as its new Head of Marketing.

Tarryn Knight. Photo: Ford

With nearly two decades of marketing experience for passenger and commercial vehicle brands, Knight will lead the strategic direction of Ford’s marketing communications, events and sponsorships. 

 

Knight joins Ford after almost five years as Head of Marketing, PR and Product at Audi South Africa. Prior to this she was Marketing Communications and Product Manager for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles South Africa.  

 

She also worked as Senior Brand Manager and Marketing Research Manager for Volkswagen Group South Africa. 

 

“We are delighted to welcome Tarryn to the Ford family as the Head of Marketing, and look forward to the new energy and ideas she will bring to the company as we accelerate our drive to deliver exceptional products and services for our customers,” says Neale Hill, President of Ford Motor Company Africa. 

 

“A lot of work has gone into refreshing and updating our product portfolio over the last two years, and redefining the complete customer experience,” Hill states.  

 

“Having achieved year-on-year growth in 2024 in a declining market shows that we’re on the right path, and we will continue driving this strategy forward in 2025. We have no doubt that Tarryn and her marketing team will play an instrumental role in helping raise the bar further this year and beyond.” 

 

Comments Knight: “Joining the longest-standing vehicle manufacturer in South Africa, and one with such a unique place in the global automotive story, is a proud moment for me.”  

 

She holds a B.Com (Honours) in Communication Management from the University of Pretoria.

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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.