EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS

Walt Disney Company names Rochelle Knock as head of SSA operations

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Veteran of Multichoice and Yoco will drive the business growth strategy for the region and foster collaboration across the team.

The Walt Disney Company has announced the appointment of Rochelle Knock as Vice President, Disney+ & Networks, and Country Head for sub-Saharan Africa. She takes up her new role in December. 

 

Knock joins from Yoco Technologies, where she was most recently Head of Customer Value Management. Yoco provides a digital commerce platform for small and medium-sized businesses, primarily in Africa.

Rochelle Knock

Photo: The Walt Disney Company

As head of the region, she will represent The Walt Disney Company in SSA, driving overall business growth strategy and fostering collaboration across the team to deliver on growth opportunities.  

 

In addition, she will lead the direct-to-consumer business as well as the family and factual linear networks activity, support and partner with the platform distribution team, and support the development of the business in other areas managed at a regional EMEA level.  

 

Align with the company’s business priorities 

 

Knock will also ensure that the local organisation consistently aligns with the company’s brand, franchise and overall business priorities. 

 

The Walt Disney Company, through its subsidiary and affiliated companies, has been active in Africa, primarily in South Africa, for more than six decades. It has a presence in 40 sub-Saharan countries. Disney+, the company’s direct-to-consumer streaming service, is currently available in South Africa. 

 

“Rochelle’s appointment to lead the Disney business and team in sub-Saharan Africa is an important milestone in our 60-plus years on the continent,” comments Simon Amselem, Senior Vice President Direct-to-Consumer & Networks, and Country Manager Iberia and Sub-Saharan Africa. 

 

“Her deep understanding of the industry landscape coupled with her expertise in customer value and product management complements our ambitious plans to drive growth and reach new audiences with our storytelling.” 

 

Extensive leadership experience 

 

Knock has extensive leadership experience across media, telecommunications and digital payment businesses, spearheading growth and innovation across some of Africa’s most recognisable and trusted brands. 

 

At Yoco Technologies she managed lifecycle engagement, delivering strategies to enhance customer retention and product growth in the pivotal field of digital payments.  

 

Previously, Knock held senior executive positions at MultiChoice Group – including being Executive Head of Product and Base Management, and Executive Head of Customer Value Management – where she led cross-functional teams across product, consumer marketing, data and analytics, and operations. 

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Jason Lottering
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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.