Senior appointments at Draftfcb Johannesburg

Jerry Mpufane, new joint MD of Draftfcb Johannesburg

All six appointments underscore the growth the agency has already experienced this year, and give an indication of its intent to aggressively pursue additional new business.

The four executive creative directors - Marthinus Duckitt, Grant Jacobsen, Gerhard Myburgh and Adam Wittert - were appointed as a solution to the task of overseeing the creative output of an agency billing more than R1 billion annually. As four people who had helped build the agency, who believe in creative excellence, who already have the trust of clients and staff, this has reportedly been acknowledged by industry pundits as the smart way to go.

Joint-responsibility for high level client relationships

Similarly, the management team has been bolstered by the appointment of Mpufane, who will assume joint-responsibility for high level client relationships, running the office, new business development and strategic direction with Dixon, who has been with the agency for over five years.

With over 17 years experience in the marketing communications field, including positions in the public and private sectors, Mpufane is certain to bring a wealth of experience to an already strong management team. In addition, he shares the agency's philosophy of ‘creativity above everything, except accountability'.

Previous positions Mpufane has held include group marketing director at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), and general manager: brand at South African Tourism, responsible for all global brand strategies and advertising. His additional responsibilities at Draftfcb Johannesburg will include overseeing the agency's strategic planning, media planning, and production and group services departments.

Neil Lister, new GM of Draftfcb Impact

Bring fresh thinking

Lister, an eight-year Ogilvy veteran where he was business director, worked on accounts such as Sun International, Procter & Gamble, SuperSport, Amstel, IBM, Lenovo, Exxaro, Digicore, M-Web, Tabasco and KFC, is hoping to bring fresh thinking to an already innovative team at Draftfcb Impact.

He has a passion for digital marketing, and believes it is the future of advertising. Consequently, Lister is looking forward to working with a team that he regards as having a great pedigree to build Draftfcb's capabilities into the best digital offering on the continent.