Gilbert is a brand Leadership, PR and Strategic Communications expert with a passion for helping brands grow their influence and impact in the community and markets that they serve, with an added advantage of Multilingual Communications/Localization expertise. Through the Newmark Group which he co-founded in 2010 and steadily built it to become one of Africa’s fastest-growing independent strategy, brand and communications consultancies, he works with Fortune 500 brands such as Johnson & Johnson, General Electric, Pfizer, Absa Bank Group PLC and AstraZeneca as an influence strategist, communications strategist, media trainer and brand architect. His consultancy portfolio spans a wide spectrum of sectors, and includes a strong body of work with entities such as United Nations agencies (UNON, FAO, WHO), Intergovernmental organizations such as the African Union, as well as Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) such as the African Development Bank, the Rockefeller Foundation, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. He also builds and leads teams that have served and continue to support public sector brands such as the Governments of Japan, France and Dubai. Out of the 33 countries that the Newmark Group covers in Africa, he has lead assignments in 25 nations, leveraging his command of multiple African languages to analyze stakeholder needs and generate locally-relevant insights and actionable strategies. Building on this solid footing, he has developed a series of conceptual frameworks that leverage data, sociology, neuroscience, media consumption trends, technology and marketing best-practice to generate strategies that brands and leadership teams can build on to expand their influence, relevance and competitiveness. In line with his bias for innovation through technology, Gilbert is also the co-founder of Weza-Prosoft, a software development and outsourcing company serving clients across the globe from its offices in Kenya, Ghana and Canada. He is an alumna of Cornell University (U.S.) and the University of Cumbria (UK).
In the world of public relations and communications, having a seat at the table is essential, but who occupies that seat is equally critical. The active involvement of executive leaders and their understanding of the role of communication can significantly impact an organization’s brand reputation and success. By embracing storytelling, empowering executives, and implementing consistent… Continue reading Leadership Buy-In is Essential for PR and Communications Success
