EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS

Sharleen James becomes Managing Director of Razor Public Relations

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Highly acclaimed industry executive joins from Accenture Song. Razor co-founder Dustin Chick steps up to new CEO role.

Sharleen James has been appointed as the new Managing Director of Razor Public Relations – a division of The Up & Up Group, the African affiliate of M&C Saatchi. She takes up her new role on 1 February. 

Sharleen James (left) with Dustin Chick. Photo: Razor PR

Dustin Chick steps up to become Chief Executive. He co-founded the agency in 2020 with partners Christopher Lazley as Executive Creative Director and Kalay Maistry as Head of Client Services. 

 

James was previously Group Managing Director in South Africa for marketing services business Accenture Song. She is also currently a board member of the Association for Communications and Advertising South Africa (ACA).  

 

Having worked so well with Sharleen for almost 10 years previously, it’s a major highlight of our journey that we now get to welcome her into Razor,” comments Chick. “She brings with her a set of critical skills we believe we need in a more complicated world, where PR continues to evolve so rapidly.” 

 

“Sharleen’s exceptional client services smarts, her sound, fair and kind leadership style, and her ability to manage the demands of both scale and complexity are major aspects of our growth plans.” 

 

A PR agency focused on the future 

 

Says James: “Knowing I can bring 25 years of through-the-line learning to a PR agency focused on the future is exactly what attracted me to this role. I buy into Razor’s view of a more modern strategic communications business.  

 

Our proposition around ‘powerful conversations’ is relevant and distinctive, and I know that my knowledge about process, client delivery excellence and deep client relationships will bring a tremendous competitive edge to our whole team.” 

 

James comes with experience from agencies such Ogilvy, Interbrand Sampson and the King James Group, a highly awarded creative agency that became Accenture Song in 2021. 

 

She has qualifications from the IMM Graduate School, AAA Schol of Advertising, Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) and UCT Graduate School of Business.

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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.