New acting CEO for mfsa

O'Donnell's most recent success was as Group Executive for Group Marketing and Communication at Absa, where he played a role in the successful merging of the four banking brands into the single Absa brand.

His appointment as acting CEO of the mfsa will be for the period from September to December this year. This will then be followed by the appointment of a permanent CEO for the mfsa: "I am in the fortunate position to allocate some of my time over the next few months to assist the mfsa in its operations. As a current Board member I have an appreciation for the challenges facing the mfsa and also recognize the need, to ensure that we continue in this interim period to build on the excellent progress made by Dee Blackie."

His role, among others, will be to ensure the value the mfsa has come to represent to the marketing community of South Africa is sustained, while acting as the conduit and resource for all members.

Jabulane Mabuza, mfsa chairperson, says: "We are confident that Brendan will bring further leadership influence to the mfsa, and continue fulfilling a guiding role to the marketing industry as a whole in his new capacity, one which aims to oversee marketing practices and their ongoing progress to keep in line with industry trends and developments."

Blackie comments that any decision made at executive level takes the best interests of the mfsa and its members into account: "I am confident that the initiatives undertaken by the mfsa over the past few months will continue to build momentum under Brendan's dynamic leadership, the mfsa is in very safe hands.

"Since taking on the role of Chair of the mfsa exco, much time has been spent reengineering the federation around its member and partner needs and, with the help of new technology and a dedicated team, the mfsa is firmly on the track to true customer centricity."

O'Donnell will continue to build on the mfsa's turnaround plan, initiated under Blackie's leadership that focuses on prudent financial management, operational effectiveness and ongoing efforts to ensure the long-term viability of the mfsa.