MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENTS

GroupM announces several key leadership changes for African business

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2024

Trio of experienced female media industry executives take up senior management roles from beginning of August.

From left: Kate Kitz, Claudelle Naidoo and Merissa Himraj. Photo: GroupM

GroupM Sub-Saharan Africa, part of WPP’s global media investment group responsible for more than US$60-billion in annual media investment, has announced several key leadership appointments. 

 

The changes became effective 1 August and are a milestone in GroupM’s commitment to diversity and inclusion within the media industry, the company says. GroupM is one of the world’s largest media-buying agencies. Among the media-services businesses within the group are Mindshare, Wavemaker and EssenceMediacom. 

 

Claudelle Naidoo is the new Chief Executive Officer of GroupM Sub-Saharan Africa, replacing Federico de Nardis, who is stepping down after six years. 

 

She joins from EssenceMediacom South Africa, where she spent the last nine years. Naidoo is an industry leader with extensive experience in marketing and media, as well as a track-record in leading complex business portfolios across Africa. 

 

Kate Kitz has been appointed to the new role of Chief Operations Officer of GroupM South Africa.  

 

“Her transformative leadership as CEO of Mindshare since 2022 has revitalised the agency’s operations, and she is set to bring the same strategic vision and operational excellence to her new position,” the company states.  

 

Merissa Himraj assumes the newly created role of Chief Growth Officer to foster growth and look after marketing. 

 

She had a 10-year tenure at Wavemaker, where she excelled in growth and business development, which “demonstrates her capability to drive GroupM’s marketing and business expansion efforts”, Group M notes.  

 

Outgoing GroupM CEO for Sub-Saharan Africa, Federico de Nardis, remains with the group until the end of September 2024 to provide a smooth transition. 

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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.