Launching a new product during a recession can pay off, study shows
Researchers find fewer competitors and lower manufacturing and marketing costs contribute to product-launch successes during a recession.
EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS
Lindsey Rayner appointed Managing Director of marketing agency Levergy
By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025
She brings extensive experience as a senior agency executive and has a particular interest in sports sponsorship and passion-led marketing
Levergy, the South African-based marketing agency that is part of the Up&Up Group, has appointed Lindsey Rayner as its new Managing Director.
Lindsey Rayner. Photo: LinkedIn
Rayner steps into the role having recently served as the Managing Director of digital agency Machine, which is part of the Publicis Groupe. There she was responsible for driving business growth and fostering high-performance creative cultures.
She has over two decades of experience and started her career at the Stormers and Springbok rugby teams before transitioning into sponsorship amplification for brands such as Castle Lager, Sunfoil, Heineken, Lay’s and Visa.
Her deep connection to sport remains central to her work, and Rayner has been a judge at the SA Sports Industry Awards for the past three years.
Her previous experience includes being Integrated Business Director at Chiel South Africa, Samsung’s mobile and consumer electronics divisions, and being Deputy Managing Director and Business Unit Director at advertising agency 34º Africa Limited.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Lindsey to The Up&Up Group and to Levergy,” says Jacques Burger, Group CEO of The Up&Up Group.
“With her outstanding leadership and the formidable team in place, Levergy continues to deepen its capabilities and deliver best-in-class work that drives measurable impact for clients.”
Adds Neo Mashigo, Chief Creative Officer at the Up&Up Group: “Sponsorship and passion marketing is what Levergy does best. But what excites me is how the agency is scaling its capabilities across creative, digital, content, PR and experiential to offer clients more connected solutions in building their brand properties.”
Notes Rayner on her LinkedIn profile: “I believe that understanding the consumer is fundamental to the success of any marketing campaign – a challenge overlooked and under-explored in the diverse context of the South African landscape.”
Commenting on her new position at Levergy, she says in a LinkedIn post: “Excited would be an understatement. Not just to return to my sporting roots but to do so armed with creative and leadership experience, unskippable ambition and backed by a team who meets that energy!”
Corruption remains top ethical concern for African PR professionals
On the positive side, annual study finds that the influence of public relations in African boardrooms is slowly improving.
Nestlé appoints a new CEO for its Central and West Africa region
Samer Chedid moves from a leadership role at Nestlé Indonesia to oversee the company’s business across 25 countries in the region.
KitKat leverages its famous tagline and gives it a modern twist
Campaign suggesting it’s time for modern consumers to ‘Take a Phone Break’ wins an Outdoor Grand Prix at Cannes Lions 2025.
Publicis Groupe wins City of Cape Town’s communications business
City says the agency stood out not only for its integrated capabilities, but also for its ‘deep commitment to collaboration’.
Namibian shoppers are under the whip as food prices rise sharply
Fruit prices rose by a significant 15.5% in May, with notable price increases for watermelons, citrus fruits and avocados.
US pizza chain Papa John’s makes first foray into Central Africa
Brand debuts in the DRC with an outlet in Kinshasa, complementing its existing African presence in Kenya, Egypt and Morocco.
Boost your marketing career in 2025 with the AMC’s short courses
Confederation has fast-paced online Express Courses you can complete in a week, to in-depth studies taking up to 10 months.
Better ports and logistics infrastructure will boost Tunisia’s economy
World Bank report paints positive picture, but emphasises that enhancing ports and related infrastructure could boost GDP by 4-5%.
Australian study finds that confusing labels are driving food waste
More consistent date labels and storage advice – along with bigger print and the use of simple icons – could save consumers money.
Kenya plans to clamp down on the marketing of unhealthy foods
Proposed measures include banning advertisements on television, digital platforms and outdoor media when children are the primary audience.
