AMC Conference: Exploring the Influence of AI and Afcfta on African Marketing
Discover announced speakers and essential news for the upcoming AMC Conference. Delegate payments are now live – read the latest articles and register.
MARKETING AWARDS
WFA names its Global Marketer of the Year for 2021
By our News Team | 2022
Top Unilever marketer is honoured by the World Federation of Advertising for her rapid impact at the company in challenging circumstances.
The World Federation of Advertising (WFA) has named Unilever’s Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, Conny Braams, as its Global Marketer of the Year 2021.
She was awarded this recognition following a combined vote from an expert jury and the industry at large, including WFA members, with each accounting for a half of the final score.
As the company’s first Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, Braams is responsible for Unilever’s end-to-end digital transformation and marketing worldwide, as it pushes to maximise opportunities for growth.
She was appointed to her current position in January 2020, following a career at Unilever spanning more than three decades, and with a track-record of driving change at scale.
Under Braams’ leadership, the company has invested heavily in AI and machine learning as well as evolving its ‘Digital Hubs’ to ‘Digital Marketing and Commerce Hubs’ to benefit from the increasing convergence of media, entertainment and commerce.
Conny Braams. Photo courtesy of the World Federation of Advertising
Cemented and created partnerships
“It cemented trusted partnerships and created new ones through a global media agency review to ensure future-fit, best-in-class support in the dynamic media landscape,” WFA said in a statement.
Unilever’s digital spend is now more than 40% – with parts of the world, such as China, significantly higher – as Unilever increases spend in areas like gaming, influencer marketing, entertainment, new digital business models and digital commerce.
“Conny is also on a mission to make sustainable choices simple and preferred for consumers, and champions the role that marketers can play in driving responsible growth,” WFA said.
In her response, Braams noted: “It was an honour to be included amongst a line-up of heavyweights in the WFA’s Global Marketer of the Year shortlist, and it’s a fantastic acknowledgement to win! Of course, this award is not about me, it recognises the outstanding marketing community at Unilever who grow our brands, powered by purpose, innovation and creativity.”
According to WFA President and head of the expert jury for the awards, Raja Rajamannar, Braams has made a rapid impact at Unilever in very challenging circumstances. She has demonstrated how marketing, when done with empathy, can help solve consumer challenges [and] ensure brands are focused on providing not just value, but also values.
“She has shown true leadership and is a worthy winner of this award,” said Rajamannar.
PRCA Africa NextGen announces Lerato Motloung as its new Chair
Body for emerging public relations and communications professionals across Africa also has a new Vice Chair and committee member.
More improvements for vital Port of Maputo regional trade gateway
Aim is to create a smarter, more connected and efficient port ecosystem that will make Maputo a strategic gateway for trade.
Research gives a new perspective on evoking nostalgia in marketing
Framework aims to help marketers and brand managers know they’re making the right decisions when banking on nostalgia.
LinkedIn moves to reduce the ‘AI slop’ filling the platform
Digital marketers relying on content generated by artificial intelligence are seeing prominent online platforms fighting back.
Kenyan regulator warns businesses about shrinkflation strategies
Shrinkflation and skimpflation is legal but must be clearly communicated to consumers, Competition Authority says.
Angola’s ambitious 1,300km West-East highway project makes a start
Project forms part of a broader strategy to position Angola as an important logistics hub in Southern and Central Africa.
Tiger Brands invests in increased localisation and in-house production
Company says upgrade of Paarl facility reinforces its commitment to economic development, localisation, supply security and affordability.
Scammers imitate brands nearly everyone recognises and uses daily
Microsoft is the brand most imitated by phishers, study finds. ChatGPT enters the top 10 for the first time.
MTN reclaims number one spot in Kantar’s SA brand valuation report
Financial and telecom brands dominate the 2026 BrandZ Top 30 study of most valuable brands. Capitec Bank proves a star performer.
Egypt eyes rest of Africa as it strengthens export logistics network
North African country partners with supply chain solutions company DP World to leverage its continent-wide port and logistics network.
