PRESS OFFICE
LISTING
Homenewsabout usContact UsWebsite
Welcome to the
Wavemaker Press Office
One global family, positively provoking growth for our clients and our people. #GrowFearless Bound by our Purchase Journey obsession we help clients translate audience behaviors and insights into smart decisions today, for a prosperous tomorrow.
Follow us:
 
News
Wavemaker South Africa’s CEO, Merissa Himraj voted as Most Admired Professional by Scopen Awards
Wavemaker South Africa is proud to announce that our fearless and esteemed CEO, Merissa Himraj has been voted as the Most Admired Media Agency Professional. This prestigious recognition is a testament to Merissa's exceptional leadership, expertise, and contribution to the media space. 16 Feb 2024 Read more

The future of marketing in the AI era
In a recent discussion, Toby Jenner, CEO of Wavemaker Global, and Ruth Stubbs, CEO of Wavemaker EMEA, shared their insights on the rapidly evolving marketing and communication landscape. They also looked at the implications of AI and the unique challenges of the media environment across the region. 9 Jan 2024 Read more

Wavemaker welcomed 6 graduates to be part of the GradX programme for 2023
In its fourth year since inception, the GradX programme initiated by international media company GroupM plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world experience. The programme is designed to provide aspiring professionals with valuable hands-on training, industry exposure, and the opportunity to develop essential skills. 5 Oct 2023 Read more

Wavemaker's Data and Analytics Department introduces digital solutions pillar
Wavemaker, a global leader in media, content, and technology services, is proud to announce the establishment of its digital solutions pillar within the Data and Analytics Department. This new pillar will serve as the preferred source for analytics and digital data, offering innovative services to empower brands and drive growth in the ever-evolving digital landscape. 19 Jun 2023 Read more

Wavemaker's Audience Solutions delivers personalised, data-driven insight
In early 2023, international media house Wavemaker announced the launch of its data solu-tions team: Wavemaker Data and Analytics. The new offering comprises five pillars, the first of which is Audience Solutions. 2 Jun 2023 Read more

Wavemaker appoints Tammy Wilson-Schultz as new chief strategy officer
The South African division of international media house Wavemaker has appointed a new chief strategy officer, Tammy Wilson-Schultz. Wilson-Schultz joined Wavemaker in November 2021 as a business unit director and assumed her new position on 1 May 2023. 26 May 2023 Read more

Global taste, local flair
Adapting international brands to a local market can be a complex process that involves careful consideration of cultural nuances, consumer preferences, and regulatory requirements. While global brands may have a strong reputation and recognition in their home country, they may need to make adjustments to their products, marketing strategies, and messaging to successfully appeal to consumers in a new market. 8 May 2023 Read more

Wavemaker evolves agency capabilities by launching Wavemaker Data and Analytics
International media house Wavemaker recently announced that it would be intensifying its approach to data solutions. It has appointed Delia Conde to lead this exciting evolution. 26 Jan 2023 Read more

Wavemaker gears for a data-synergistic future as they evolve agency capabilities
Wavemaker has always been a company that embraces and drives data-centric solutions. As transformative technologies and platforms emerge, the need for smarter solutions centred around data privacy, first, second and third party data and clean data solutions has translated into a much more deliberate focus on their data solutions prowess. 22 Nov 2022 Read more

Being consistent in a disruptive world
Across the world, businesses are facing turmoil. The status quo continues to be disrupted by seismic economic shifts including rising inflation and the risk of recession. New technologies and 4IR innovations are permanently changing the way we live and work, and cultural and demographic shifts are constant. 3 Nov 2022 Read more

Wavemaker South Africa wins BMW
Wavemaker has won the media contract for luxury car manufacturer BMW in South Africa. 7 Oct 2022 Read more

In their own words: Wavemaker's graduates talk about GradX
Graduate programmes are critical in helping young graduates bridge the gap between their studies and the working world. They provide an opportunity for them to put their largely theoretical backgrounds into practice and to gain essential, real-life experience and skills. These skills can be useful not only in securing full-time employment in their current jobs, but in other jobs and industries besides. 19 Jul 2022 Read more

Wavemaker South Africa appoints Thami Kwidini as commercial director
Wavemaker South Africa, a division of Wavemaker Global - a top five global media network, has appointed Thami Kwidini as its new commercial director. Thami stepped into this position on 1 May. 18 May 2022 Read more

Wavemaker South Africa bids farewell to Pick n Pay as the retailer moves media services in-house
For the past 13 years, Wavemaker and GroupM have worked with major South African retail brand Pick n Pay and has contributed enormously towards shaping consumer decisions through media, content and technology to ensure Pick n Pay's success and growth. After much thought, analysis and review, Pick n Pay has come to the decision to move their ATL media planning and buying in-house effective from 1 March 2022. This allows the retail giant to merge its already in-housed digital media with ATL media to drive communication synergy and performance. 1 Mar 2022 Read more

GroupM takes young graduates under its wing - again
On the eve of the pandemic, in early 2020, international media company GroupM launched its graduate programme in South Africa for the very first time. In hindsight, the timing was critical. Within a few months, young graduates looking for practical, on-the-job training were likely to find learnerships and internships hard to come by. Those who secured a position with GroupM were among the most fortunate. 17 Feb 2022 Read more

Wavemaker South Africa pushes global mobility as digital lead heads to Tokyo
On 1 February, Wavemaker South Africa's digital lead and business unit head, David Shields, started a new position at the Group M and Wavemaker Japan offices in Tokyo. The move embodies Wavemaker's prioritisation of global mobility within its business and is part of its vision of creating a truly diverse network of people across its international offices. 11 Feb 2022 Read more

5 marketing trends to look out for in 2022
We've heard it a thousand times before: "Digital marketing is constantly changing". And it's true: in 2021 Facebook alone issued over 40 updates - 40! 17 Jan 2022 Read more

Merissa Himraj set to take the reins of major media house Wavemaker South Africa in 2022
Merissa Himraj will assume the top position at Wavemaker South Africa, the South African division of the world's fifth largest media company, on 1 February 2022. She takes over as CEO SSA (Sub-Saharan Africa) from Lwandile Qokweni, who is stepping down from a role he has held since March 2018 to pursue other interests. 2 Dec 2021 Read more

How to look ahead amid an unpredictable future
It's that time of year again, when we look into our crystal balls to see how best to approach 2022. But the world around us has changed so much, it's hard to know what to anticipate. It doesn't make sense to look at market information or apply linear inflation on our CPP projections anymore - that way of working, temporarily at least, is a thing of the past. 28 Oct 2021 Read more

Shaun Frazao appointed as strategy partner at Wavemaker Worldwide in London
Shaun Frazao, Wavemaker South Africa's chief strategy officer, has been appointed as strategy partner in the Wavemaker Worldwide team in London. Frazao started his career with Wavemaker in 2019 as head of digital and content, with the mandate to manage the digital team, build out a content offering and bringing in new business. 13 Oct 2021 Read more

The power of a healthy working environment
I've worked in media for many years, and I've had my fair share of different working environments at agencies both big and small. But it was only when I joined Wavemaker that I realised that the key to getting people management right lies in creating a sense of family, and respecting and prioritising diversity and inclusion. 3 Sep 2021 Read more

Tips on managing mid-year fatigue
There's no denying it: I'm absolutely in love with media and marketing. But that doesn't mean it isn't a very demanding industry. If you don't prioritise taking care of yourself, the stress of working in this field can, ultimately, take its toll on your physical and mental health. 16 Aug 2021 Read more

One size doesn't fit all: Advice for brands seeking to access the African market
When entering a new market, brands have to do a lot of intensive research. They need to test the market thoroughly to see how their brand will perform, examine consumers' habits, assess their local competitors and decide how best to make their mark. It's never an easy journey. This process can be particularly challenging in the African market, which many brands, especially global brands, battle to access. 12 Aug 2021 Read more

Wavemaker's business unit director shares her top tips on working with global brands
Over the years, Cheryl Dube has worked as a strategist on a variety of brands. The most challenging and rewarding experiences she's had during this time, she says, have been in the work she's completed on global brands. Here are some of the critical lessons she's learnt along the way. 27 Jul 2021 Read more

Huawei and Wavemaker launch a new, innovative digital advertising platform
Multinational technology company Huawei has partnered with Wavemaker South Africa, the regional division of the world's fifth largest media company, to roll out Huawei Ads. Huawei's new advertising platform is disrupting a space that has seen little disruption in recent years, with monoliths largely dominating unchallenged. 14 Jul 2021 Read more

Does Youth Day really matter today?
It is 45 years later after students marched in Orlando, Soweto against an unjust system. Is the struggle still the same or has anything changed? How is the celebration of this day relevant to the youth of today? 30 Jun 2021 Read more

Merissa Himraj appointed as managing director of Wavemaker South Africa
Wavemaker South Africa is delighted to announce the appointment of its new managing director, Merissa Himraj. 2 Jun 2021 Read more

Everything you know about digital reach is wrong
In its essence, an effective media plan ensures that you reach as much of the right audience as possible in the most cost-effective way. And don't get me wrong, driving engagement, building affinity, and delivering on conversions are also crucial objectives, but they deliver much better results when they are underpinned by an approach that focuses on reaching the right audience, in the most cost-effective way. 6 May 2021 Read more