GroupM, a leading media investment company, has appointed Claudelle Naidoo to the role of Chief Executive Officer of GroupM Sub-Saharan Africa, effective 1st of August 2024.
The company, responsible for more than $60 billion in annual media investment, said its priority is delivering exceptional value and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with its partners.
Claudelle Naidoo takes over from Federico De Nardis, the outgoing CEO, GroupM SSA.
She has a long and successful history growing and strengthening EssenceMediacom South Africa, where she spent the last nine years.
Claudelle was named MD, Mediacom South Africa in 2019, and was promoted to CEO in 2021. She has also worked for Kagiso Media and spent time at Nielsen earlier in her career.
She is a well-known Industry leader and serves on the Board of the IAB South Africa.
Her extensive experience in marketing and media, as well as her track- record in leading complex business portfolios across Africa, will be pivotal as we continue to transform our organization.
To further enhance GroupM’s capabilities and drive even greater success for our clients, we are excited to appoint Kate Kitz to the new role of Chief Operations Officer of GroupM South Africa.
Since joining Mindshare as CEO in 2021, Kate has spearheaded a remarkable transformation of the Mindshare operations, and we are confident she will bring the same strategic vision and leadership to this new position.
To foster growth and look after marketing, the new role of Chief Growth Officer (CGO) has been created which Merissa Himraj, Wavemaker CEO since 2021, will assume.
With extensive experience in growth and business development demonstrated during her ten-year tenure at Wavemaker, we are excited about the experience that Merissa will bring to bear in her new role.
Finally, WPP South Africa Country Manager, Tebogo Skwambane, has been appointed as Executive Chair of GroupM South Africa to foster collaboration within the WPP Group and to support the new GroupM leadership with her vast local, regional and international experience.
“This new leadership structure brings about an exciting opportunity for us to further strengthen our relationships and enhance our collaborative efforts with key industry leaders such as yourselves.
“We are confident that this new chapter will bring great benefits and growth opportunities for all”, the company said in an email to Techeconomy.
