S7 E6: The Future of Influence in Africa and Beyond with Gilbert Manirakiza of Newmark Group

"Influence is the currency of today, but also of the future." Gilbert Manirakiza, CEO of Newmark Group, discusses his experience as host of the recent PRGN conference in Nairobi, Kenya. He shares insights into the strategic planning and execution of the conference, emphasizing the importance of fostering global collaboration among public relations leaders.

Gilbert and his team included voices from African companies and the local community within the conference, offering fresh perspectives to PRGN members. Topics explored include agentic AI's potential to revolutionize public relations, the intricate relationship between geopolitical tensions and brand communication strategies, and the opportunities for collaboration in Africa's travel and tourism sectors. Gilbert articulates the increasing need for adaptation and innovation in communication strategies, encouraging methods to bridge cultural and geographical gaps effectively.

Key Takeaways

• The PRGN conference in Nairobi was a platform for global public relations leaders to exchange ideas, with a focus on critical topics like AI and geopolitics.
• Gilbert emphasized the significance of integrating community voices and diversified perspectives, which led to compelling discussions and collaborative opportunities.
• Agentic AI in public relations offers both exciting prospects and challenges, requiring careful implementation and understanding.
• The travel and tourism sector in Africa holds immense potential if strategic collaborations are established between brands, airlines, and governments.
• Gilbert identifies adaptability and innovation as crucial components for the future of strategic communications, reflecting the necessity for agencies to remain agile and forward-thinking.

About the Guest

Gilbert Manirakiza is CEO of the Newmark Group in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a brand leadership, PR, and strategic communications expert with the added advantage of multilingual communications and localization expertise. Prior to co-founding Newmark, he worked with the United Nations, the World Bank, the World Health Organisation, the IMF, FAO, and the African Union, among other global organizations and brands, as a communications strategist to build multi-layered, multilingual, and multi-channel communications campaigns and systems. He has since lent his expertise and experience to local and global blue chips such as General Electric, Barclays Bank, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the governments of Japan, France, Dubai, and Singapore, just to name a few. In addition to providing media handling, etiquette, and public speaking training to Fortune 500 CEOs and senior executives, he has designed and moderated thought leadership panels during global and regional forums.

Gilbert has contributed to the evolution of the PR industry in Africa by developing Newmark into a company that excels at integrating digital, mobile, experiential, and creative brand communications into traditional PR. Having worked in over 20 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, he has intimate knowledge of the opportunities, challenges, and complexities of the African marketplace, making him a key asset for all the clients that his teams serve. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (UK) and the International Society of Sustainability Professionals, in addition to sitting on the boards of several regional trade development initiatives and companies. He is an alumnus of the University of Burundi, Cornell University (US), and the University of Cumbria (UK).

About the Hosts

Abbie Fink is president of HMA Public Relations in Phoenix, Arizona and a founding member of PRGN. Her marketing communications background includes skills in media relations, digital communications, social media strategies, special event management, crisis communications, community relations, issues management, and marketing promotions for both the private and public sectors, including such industries as healthcare, financial services, professional services, government affairs and tribal affairs, as well as not-for-profit organizations.

Dr. Adrian McIntyre is a cultural anthropologist, media personality, speaker, and strategic communications consultant for PR agencies and marketing firms. He's lived in over 30 countries and spent more than a decade in the Middle East and Africa as a researcher, journalist, communications adviser, media spokesperson, and storytelling consultant. He earned a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, where he was a Fulbright scholar and National Science Foundation fellow. Adrian helps agency leaders strengthen their positioning, sharpen their messaging, boost their visibility, and win new clients by replacing impersonal, intrusive and ineffective marketing tactics with authentic human conversations.

PRGN Presents is brought to you by Public Relations Global Network, the world’s local public relations agency. Our executive producer is Adrian McIntyre. The show is produced by the team at Speed of Story, a B2B communications firm in Phoenix, AZ.

Follow the Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow PRGN Presents in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other podcast app. We publish new episodes every other Thursday. To have them delivered automatically and free of charge, just choose your preferred podcast player from this list, open the app, and click the button to “Follow” the show: https://prgnpodcast.com/listen

Need to hire a PR firm?

Leading a business effectively in today's fast-paced world requires expert guidance and a strong communications strategy. No matter where you do business, PRGN has a member agency in your region with the deep industry expertise, international experience, and local market knowledge you need to connect with your target audience and achieve your goals. Find a PR firm near you »