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PR agency Burson makes three key appointments for its African business

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2024

Agency was created in January by the merger of PR companies BCW and Hill & Knowlton. New appointees bring wide experience.

Burson, the global communications agency, has appointed Bridget von Holdt and Karl Haechler as Co-CEOs for its Burson Africa operation, and Lerato Songelwa as Managing Director for Burson South Africa.  

 

The agency was created in January 2024 by the merger of PR companies BCW and Hill & Knowlton. Both are part of the giant London-based WPP communications group. 

Bridget von Holdt, Lerato Songelwa and Karl Haechler. Photo: Burson

Haechler and Von Holdt had previously led BCW Africa as Co-Market Leaders since March 2021, while Songelwa served as MD of Hill & Knowlton SA since October 2022. The trio thus bring a combination of experience and expertise across various industry sectors and countries. 

 

BCW has had an African presence for three decades and is represented in most African markets. 

 

Wealth of experience and a clear vision 

 

“Bridget, Karl and Lerato bring a wealth of experience and a clear vision to Burson Africa. I am confident that they will drive value creation for both our customers and our talent across the continent, which we see as a significant growth area for the business,” says Bashar AlKadhi, CEO for Burson in the Middle East, Turkey and Africa. 

 

Recently formed Burson has more than 6,000 employees in 43 markets worldwide. Its name honours the late Harold Burson, a pioneer and founding figure of modern public relations and strategic communications. 

 

WPP, which also owns agencies such as Ogilvy and media investment firm GroupM, has restructured many of its agencies to improve efficiencies and provide a more complete offering to clients.  

 

Last year it combined two of its major creative agencies, Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R. The combined business, known as VML, employs more than 30,000 people in 64 markets. 

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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.