MARKETING TALENT

Kenya Breweries appoints Charles Okanya as Acting Marketing Director

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2024

Currently Head of Consumer Planning at EAB, he is a behavioural researcher with experience in strategy and marketing insight functions.

Kenya Breweries Limited has announced the appointment of Charles Okanya as its Acting Marketing Director, effective from 1 September 2024. 

 

He is currently Head of Consumer Planning at East African Breweries PLC, and will oversee all marketing initiatives at Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) in the interim. 

 

Okanya is a behavioural researcher with over 15 years of experience in strategy and marketing insight functions across Africa, having worked in five markets on the continent.  

 

“He specialises in leading the business with ideas and insights that help sell more by critically understanding why consumers behave as they do, and where their behaviours intersect with business objectives,” KBL says in a statement posted on social media. 

Charles Okanya. Photo: Kenya Breweries Limited

 

“Charles is skilled in consumer attitudinal and behavioural segmentation, insight funneling, and marketing-growth frameworks. He has previously worked in telecommunications, mobile money, beverages and personal care.” 

 

Worked in research and strategy agencies 

 

Before joining Diageo Kenya seven years ago, he spent the early part of his career working with research and strategy agencies such as Nielsen, Synovate, Kantar, and Ipsos, where he was the head of advertising research solutions.  

 

During this period, Okanya ran over 100 market and social research studies in sub-Saharan Africa and lived in four countries across West, South, and East Africa, which gave him a perspective on cultural sensitivity. 

 

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science and a Master’s degree in Population Studies and Research from the University of Nairobi. 

 

On his LinkedIn profile, Okanya states: “From my years in consumer insights and planning, I have come to increasingly understand that no good decision, in personal or professional spheres, is made in a linear fashion. Taking into consideration the interdependencies of systems, events and people always brings out the best outcome.”

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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.