MARKETING ACHIEVEMENTS

South African-born CEO elected to head the AMA’s New York Chapter

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Kerushan Govender becomes President of the American Marketing Association’s biggest chapter and plans to bring an African lens to the role.

Kerushan Govender, the South African-born CEO of growth strategy firm Blacfox, has been elected President of the American Marketing Association’s (AMA) New York chapter.

Kerushan Govender. Photo: Blacfox

As President of AMA New York, Govender plans to champion a bold, future-facing agenda rooted in three priorities: inclusivity, digital transformation, and the cultivation of high-impact marketing leaders.  

 

His vision is to elevate marketing as a full-spectrum strategic discipline, one that drives both economic value and social progress. 

 

Under his leadership, AMA New York will focus on elevating underrepresented voices in the industry, equipping professionals with the tools to thrive in a tech-enabled world, and nurturing a new generation of marketers who combine creativity with commercial acumen and social conscience, states Blacfox. 

 

Put marketing back where it belongs 

 

“This is about building better companies. We have an opportunity to put marketing back where it belongs – at the heart of business success and human advancement,” says Govender. 

 

He believes his election also presents a unique opportunity for African marketing voices to gain greater visibility in global conversations: “There’s no shortage of creativity or capability on the continent. What we need are more bridges between local talent and global platforms. I intend to be one of those bridges,” he notes. 

 

“This is a moment to showcase what’s possible when cultures collide in powerful ways. I’m proud to bring a South African lens to this role and have a deep belief that marketing can be a force for both growth and for good.” 

 

As part of a broader communications strategy, Blacfox concludes that it will engage audiences in both the US and Africa to amplify the significance of this leadership moment and share insights on how marketing can drive meaningful results, even in resource-constrained environments. 

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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.