A.M.C. MEMBER NEWS

Uganda’s marketers share important insights at annual fireside chat

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2024

Event brought together marketers and business leaders to discuss topics and derive insights aimed at enhancing business growth.

The Marketers’ Fireplace, held in 2024 at the @Protea Skyz Hotel in Kampala on 6 December, is the biggest event of the year organised by Uganda Marketers Society. It brings together marketers and business leaders to discuss topics and derive insights aimed at enhancing business growth.  

Photo: Uganda Marketers Society

With this year’s theme being ‘Marketing Excellence’, the society was honoured to host Joanita Mukasa Menya, Managing Director of Vivo Energy Uganda, as the keynote speaker. Other speakers comprised seasoned practitioners within the marketing and finance sector.  

 

With a major requirement for increased reliance on research, creativity and collaboration within the marketing sector to achieve a shared vision that enhances the effectiveness of campaigns, it was an opportune time for marketers to network and learn about current trends. 

 

In her keynote speech, Mukasa Menya emphasised the importance of clarity in leadership; understanding your purpose, knowing who you are, where you stand, and the value you bring to the organisation. She also encouraged attendees to reflect on their career journeys – whether at entry, mid, or expert levels – and to focus on building meaningful relationships at every stage. 

 

The Vivo Energy Uganda MD noted that knowing your purpose helps you make decisions on when to start and when to stop. She added that there are three things that drive your purpose: your faith that pushes you beyond boundaries; your personality or ‘true you’; and your experience that drives the pattern of your career. 

 

Staying ahead of the curve 

 

Also among the speakers was Catherine W. Ndungu, Director of Marketing & Innovation for Uganda Breweries Limited. Her topic was ‘Sharpening your competencies to stay ahead of the curve’. 

 

“Know what to say and when you say it,” she advised the attendees. “Life is no longer about traditional marketing, but storytelling. The ‘why’ and not the ‘what’. 

 

“Marketing is evolving faster than a cheetah. Fifteen years ago, we didn’t know about TikTok. Marketing is an evolution which never stops. The future of marketing isn’t something you wait for, but something you create.” 

 

Other highlights from her presentation:  

 

  • Marketing is an evolution which never stops. 

 

  • Fall in love with the changing world of marketing; consumers are the new CEOs of their experience; shift from traditional campaigns to impressive story telling. 

 

  • Data meets empathy, so love your numbers. Numbers are important, but without emotional intelligence data is just cold facts. 

 

  • Fall in love with your consumers. 

 

  • Foster cross-functional collaboration. 

 

  • Invest in continuous education. 

 

  • Experiment fearlessly but with purpose. 

 

  • As marketers, let’s not wait for tomorrow. Start now! 

 

The Uganda Marketers Society (UMS) is a member of the African Marketing Confederation.

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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.