EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS

PR agency Weber Shandwick appoints new MD and market lead for Africa

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Larry Khumalo-MacArthur steps up from his previous position as Executive Vice President, Client Growth: Africa at the agency.

Global communications and PR agency Weber Shandwick has appointed Larry Khumalo-MacArthur as Managing Director and Market Lead for its Africa region. This encompasses offices, affiliates and partners covering more than 30 countries on the continent.

Larry Khumalo-MacArthur. Photo: Weber Shandwick

He is charged with driving business growth, strengthening multi-market client relationships, and elevating the firm’s strategic communications offering.

Before assuming his new role, Khumalo-MacArthur served as Executive Vice President, Client Growth: Africa, at the agency.

Michael Frohlich, Weber Shandwick’s Global Chief Transformation Officer and CEO of EMEA, has welcomed Khumalo-MacArthur’s appointment, noting the strategic significance of his leadership.

A deep understanding of African markets

“Larry’s deep understanding of African markets, experience in business growth, combined with his expertise in multi-sector communications, make him an invaluable asset to our team,” Frohlich says.

“Africa is a key region for our business, and under his guidance we are poised to expand our influence, drive innovation and deepen our client partnerships across the continent.”

Comments Khumalo-MacArthur: “Africa is a continent of immense potential, and brands that communicate with authenticity, cultural awareness and strategic foresight will be the ones that create lasting impact.

“I am excited to be stepping into this role and I look forward to continuing to work with our teams and partnering with our clients to craft bold, integrated and meaningful communication interventions that connect with audiences and deliver meaningful and measurable value.”

Khumalo-MacArthur joined Weber Shandwick in 2021. Prior to that, he was with agencies Havas and FleishmanHillard. He has experience in industries such as travel and tourism, development finance, social impact, technology, health, automotive, energy, and the public sector.

Pre-conference masterclass discusses taking African brands to the world

Participants challenged to identify, articulate and commercialise the cultural assets that make their brand ready for a global audience.

Three people stand side by side in front of a sports direct backdrop the woman in the middle holds a blue and orange 'sports direct' sign

Africa’s first Sports Direct retail store opens its doors in Nairobi

Second outlet planned for Nairobi before year end, with Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco said to be future target markets.

Person wearing a beige sweater holds a phone with a translucent search bar reading 'search' and microphonecamera icons in the foreground

Search is fragmenting – credibility and trust create the new visibility

Online search behaviour has changed significantly with the rise of AI. How can African brands adapt to this new marketing landscape?

Person shopping at a deli counter holding an orange shopping basket in a cheese section of a supermarket

The move toward future-ready food packaging where materials meet AI

Researchers propose a framework for packaging that senses, learns and acts – making packaging an active, AI-powered tool against food waste.

Conference stage with a woman in a patterned dress speaking to an audience large screens display '' logos and banners for a marketers conference with 'institute of marketing in malawi' branding on stage panels and backdrop

Malawi’s marketers urged to put trust at the heart of the profession

Country needs marketers to build recognition and consumer trust around Malawian products and national brand, says Deputy Minister.

Lingerie brand creates street-stopping advertising in Manhattan

Fashion brand suspends giant lingerie high above the city’s streets, using shadows to create a moving billboard for pedestrians and motorists.

We know AI influencers aren’t real – so why do we trust them?

Researchers describe AI influencers as having a ‘dual identity’. Consumers evaluate both ‘person’ and ‘technology’ identities at once.

Hotel receptionist assisting a guest at the check in counter with a gray suitcase nearby behind the desk

Why trust has become a critical asset for hotel industry marketers

Reputation and trust, once modest influences on hotel choice, have become some of the strongest predictors of patronage, study finds.

Three people in formal attire pose for a photo at an awards event a woman in a pink dress holds a trophy while two men in suits stand beside her against a gold confetti backdrop

FNB bank’s eBucks programme dominates the 2026 SA loyalty awards

South African brands are increasingly setting the global benchmark for customer loyalty strategies, organisers say.

Portrait of a man with short black hair and a beard wearing a black button down shirt against a light gray background

Zambia’s strongest creative ideas are emerging from local truths

Global influences among younger consumers are still present, but they are being filtered through a distinctly Zambian lens.

Yellow humanoid robot at a bakery counter inspecting a display of donuts on display in front of glass cases

Consumers have doubts about products when they’re designed by AI

Researchers find that lack of perceived ‘genuine care’ is the mechanism connecting AI involvement to lower trust ratings.