A new era for Draftfcb Sou Africa

Draftfcb South Africa has made a number of key appointments at the senior level, effective immediately, heralding a new era for the group. After 13 years with the business, Chief Creative Officer for the group, Brett Morris will become Chief Executive Officer of Draftfcb South Africa. Partnering with Morris is marketing and advertising veteran, Mohale Ralebitso, who comes on board as Group Chairman.

Commenting on the appointments, Draftfcb's Worldwide Chief Executive Officer, Carter Murray, said: The South African operation is one of the network's star performers and I believe it is poised to reach even greater heights in 2014. Brett, with his strong creative reputation and intimate knowledge of the brands and business, is a perfect choice to lead the charge. Add to this the strength of someone as accomplished as Mohale, who has been a top agency leader and brings a wealth of client experience, and we have a formidable combination.

Morris added: I've always been interested in the broader aspects of the business because it all ultimately affects the work, so I'm really excited about the opportunity to collaborate with this team to deliver truly iconic South African campaigns for our clients.

For his part, Ralebitso is looking forward to coming on board and making a positive impact on the group's business, as well as that of its clients. The opportunity to work with an agency of Draftfcb's calibre and its blue chip clients is one that truly fires up my imagination, he said.

It's fantastic to have someone of Mohale's calibre joining the group. We look forward to the experience he will bring from his time as a highly successful agency leader as well as curating some of the country's biggest brands. I couldn't be happier handing over the chairman role to a businessman of his calibre, said outgoing Group Chairman, Nkwenkwe Nkomo.

Also taking up a new role is Graham Vivian, the group's Chief Financial Officer; he will become Chief Operating Officer. No agency can be great without great finance and operations. Graham's operational and financial prowess is the backbone of our business and I know that he will help take the group from strength to strength, commented Nkomo.

The changes follow current Group Chief Executive Officer, John Dixon's, decision to join BrandsRock as a shareholder. Dixon will become CEO, effective 1 March. Nkomo will be moving into a non-executive role given his view to retiring in the near future.

Paying tribute to Dixon, Nkomo said that much respect and great thanks must be paid to him for all he has done for the business since joining 11 years ago. During John's tenure, we brought home several agency of the year awards and won significant new business. He himself was, in 2012, named as Financial Mail's Agency Leader of the Year. We wish JD all the best with his new venture and he is always welcome back for a drink!

For his part, Dixon is extremely satisfied to take leave of such a successful agency, and thrilled that it is Morris who is replacing him. Much of Draftfcb's business and creative success can be laid at Brett's door. He truly understands the psyche of the South African consumer and what it takes to win the nation's heart and soul. With him at the helm, the only way is up.

ends

About Draftfcb

Draftfcb is focused on creating ideas that change behaviour to move our clients' businesses. With nearly 140 years of communications expertise, Draftfcb's worldwide network spans 151 offices in 90 countries, with over 8,000 people, and is part of the Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE:IPG). For more information, visit www.draftfcb.com.

Brett Morris stumbled into a career in advertising while fleeing a career in law. Early refuge was provided by Draftfcb (then FCB) in 1995. After a stint at Network BBDO, he rejoined Draftfcb in 1999, and was appointed Executive Creative Director of the Johannesburg agency in 2003. In 2007, Brett decided to cross the road and join Nando's as Global Chief Creative Officer. Then with a desire to expand his creative horizons again, formed The Scoville Unit in 2008. He rejoined Draftfcb as Chief Creative Officer for South Africa in 2009 and was elected chairperson of South Africa's creative industry body, the Creative Circle, in 2010 and was ranked as one of the top 4 creative directors in the country by his peers. Under his leadership, Draftfcb has won more awards than ever before in its 80-year history, including South Africa's first ever Cannes Grand Prix. He also has 14 gold Loeries, 9 Cannes Lions and numerous local and international awards to his credit. Other career highlights include AdReview Campaign of the Year in 2005, 2006 and 2010 as well as the Sunday Times Marketing Excellence Grand Prix for Campaign of the Year 2006.

Mohale Ralebitso is a graduate of Queens College of The City University of New York. He has also done strategic executive management courses at WITS Business School and Harvard Business School. His business experience includes being founder and director of Itataise Investments and Director and Co-Founder at Bison Capital. He was formerly Marketing Communications & Corporate Affairs Director at Old Mutual Emerging Markets; Managing Executive at Absa Private Bank, Group Marketing Executive Absa Group and Chairman at The Jupiter Drawing Room. Specific advertising industry experience includes leading The Jupiter Drawing Room during its record-breaking growth period (+R1bn in new business) that saw it become a large agency and dominant player in the marketing and communications industry. It was during this time that the agency also gave birth to MetropolitanRepublic and concluded a deal with global giant, WPP, firmly entrenching its place among global players. Mohale has played a leading role in the adve

LINK:	http://www.filmcontact.com/africa/south-africa/new-era-draftfcb-south-...
	See more stories from filmcontact

Most recent headlines