APO Group’s Africa Celebrations Campaign for Mercy Ships Wins Multiple 2023 SABRE Awards Africa – The World’s Most Prestigious Public Relations Awards

The campaign has been nominated as a finalist for the Platinum SABRE Award for Best in Show

DAKAR, Senegal, May 4, 2023/APO Group/ — 

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is excited to announce that its Mercy Ships Africa Celebrations campaign has won the 2023 PRovoke Africa SABRE Awards for Best Campaign in West Africa and Best Campaign for Not-for-Profit/Charities.

The SABRE Awards are the most prestigious and important awards in the public relations industry due to their global reach and recognition, as well as their comprehensive coverage of a myriad of public relations disciplines.

They recognise outstanding achievements and celebrate the best work in public relations across multiple regions and categories, including the Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), and Asia-Pacific, with the campaigns being evaluated by a jury of industry leaders.

The campaign has been nominated as a finalist for the Platinum SABRE Award for Best in Show, the winner of which will be announced at the Africa SABRE Awards ceremony on May 18th, as part of the 2023 African Public Relations Conference in Lusaka, Zambia.

Mercy Ships is an international NGO that operates the largest civilian hospital ships in the world to deliver surgical care, and medical training. By providing free, world-class surgical, obstetric, and anaesthetic care, the organisation brings hope and healing to those who need it most across the African continent.

Despite the invaluable work that they do, the organisation remains relatively unknown to the wider audience, particularly when compared to other organisations. To elevate the NGO’s profile, APO Group developed a campaign that would expand the public’s awareness and understanding of Mercy Ships and the massive positive impact its work has throughout Africa.

By leveraging its unrivalled access to Africa’s journalists and news networks, APO Group set out to amplify Mercy Ships’ visibility throughout the year, covering the main landmarks in the NGO’s activities and placing the organisation in publications across Africa, Europe, and North America, in print and online, as well as on social media. In total, the campaign has achieved a PR value of USD$125 million, with over 4,000 pieces of online coverage.

“We are grateful for the recognition received from the SABRE Awards. The collaboration with the APO team has led to outstanding communications and, more importantly, awareness for the need to increase access to surgical care in Africa,” stated Jitze Kramer, Vice President of Mercy Ships.

APO Group has been working with Mercy Ships since early 2022 to promote the organisation’s profoundly impactful work across the continent, telling the story of how the docking of Mercy Ships’ vessels — the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy — can represent change and hope for communities everywhere in Africa.

“Receiving this SABRE Award is a momentous achievement, and it highlights our commitment to promoting the life-changing work of Mercy Ships across Africa and beyond,” said Lindsay Farley, APO Group’s Vice President of Editorial and Content Strategy. “The Mercy Ships Africa Celebrations campaign has been incredibly successful in showcasing the organisation’s remarkable impact on healthcare and communities throughout the continent. We look forward to our continued partnership and to keeping the spotlight on the meaningful work that Mercy Ships is doing in Africa.”

With its success in the 2023 SABRE Awards, APO Group continues to demonstrate its expertise and commitment to helping its clients achieve their communication goals and positively impact communities across the African continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

APO Group and Africa’s Business Heroes Public Relations Campaign Wins Two 2023 SABRE Awards Africa – The World’s Most Prestigious Public Relations Awards

APO Group’s integrated public relations and communications campaign for ABH focused on leveraging media opportunities across Africa and increasing brand awareness for the competition

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, May 10, 2023/APO Group/ — 

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is thrilled to announce that its media and public relations campaign for the Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition, a philanthropic initiative sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy, has won the 2023 SABRE Awards for best campaign in Northern Africa and best campaign in Corporate Social Responsibility.

The SABRE Awards are the most prestigious and important awards in the public relations industry due to their global reach and recognition, as well as their comprehensive coverage of a myriad of public relations disciplines.

They recognise outstanding achievements and celebrate the best work in public relations across multiple regions and categories, including the Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), and Asia-Pacific, with the campaigns being evaluated by a jury of industry leaders.

The ABH programme (www.AfricaBusinessHeroes.org) promotes entrepreneurship in Africa by identifying and supporting outstanding business founders from across the continent. Each year since 2019, and to continue for a total of 10 years, the ABH Prize Competition selects 10 African entrepreneurs to participate in a live pitch event to a panel of industry leaders and compete for their share of USD$1.5 million in grant funding. Finalists also have access to mentorship, networking, training, and the opportunity to raise their profiles.

APO Group’s integrated public relations and communications campaign for ABH focused on leveraging media opportunities across Africa and increasing brand awareness for the competition. The primary goal was to support African entrepreneurs by encouraging more startups and founders to learn about ABH, understand the competition, and enter the awards.

The campaign in 2022 received 21,000 applications from all 54 African countries. Additionally, 31% of the applications came from women entrepreneurs, reflecting the most diverse applicant pool yet in terms of geography and gender. Entrepreneurs as young as 19 and as old as 72 applied, further highlighting the inclusiveness of the competition.

APO Group’s comprehensive public relations and communications initiatives included strategic advisory and media training for all ABH spokespeople, media content creation and mapping, translation of media content, securing key media partnerships, coordinating, and managing targeted dissemination of messaging, media interview placements, social media strategy, and event support.

For the public relations campaign, APO Group wrote and distributed content on a pan-African level in different languages (English, French, Arabic, and Portuguese), generating more than 13,000 pick-ups, with a PR value of over USD$164 million. This was a significant increase compared to previous years, showcasing the campaign’s success in promoting African entrepreneurship.

“The Africa’s Business Heroes team shares our vision for the future of business in Africa, and together, our teams have worked tirelessly on raising the profile of the ABH Prize Competition,” said Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard (www.Pompigne-Mognard.com), Founder and Chairman of APO Group. “This campaign has truly captured the public’s attention, showcasing the vast potential Africa has as a hub for the next generation of entrepreneurs.”

“We are truly honoured to be recognised again this year with APO Group for our efforts to nurture and catalyse the pan African entrepreneur ecosystem. This award highlights the power and potential of the African entrepreneurial story and its ability to inspire others,” said Jason Pau, Executive Director of International Programs, Jack Ma Foundation. “We are excited to further our shared mission with APO Group to support and celebrate more African business heroes.”

APO Group invites all entrepreneurs across the African continent to apply for the next edition of the ABH Prize Competition before the May 12, 2023, deadline for a chance to win a grant, as well as training, mentorship, and networking opportunities, among the other benefits that this prestigious pan-African entrepreneurship competition brings. (Follow this link to register: https://apo-opa.info/3BbxIKT).

With its success in the 2023 SABRE Awards, APO Group continues to demonstrate its expertise and commitment to helping its clients achieve their communication goals and positively impact communities across the African continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

APO Group Triumphs at 2023 SABRE Awards Africa – The World’s Most Prestigious Public Relations Awards – Five Awards, More Than Any Other Firm in This Year’s Competition

These prestigious accolades solidify APO Group’s position as the most awarded Public Relations consultancy in this year’s competition

LUSAKA, Zambia, May 24, 2023/APO Group/ — 

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, proudly announces that it has received five prestigious 2023 SABRE Awards during the award ceremony held on May 18th, during the 2023 African Public Relations Conference in Lusaka, Zambia. This outstanding achievement makes APO Group the most awarded firm in this year’s competition.

The SABRE Awards are the most prestigious and important awards in the public relations industry due to their global reach and recognition, as well as their comprehensive coverage of a myriad of public relations disciplines.

They recognise outstanding achievements and celebrate the best work in PR across multiple regions and categories, including the Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), and Asia-Pacific, with the campaigns being evaluated by a jury of industry leaders.

These prestigious accolades solidify APO Group’s position as the most awarded Public Relations consultancy in this year’s competition, with a total of five SABRE Awards won, up from four in 2022.

APO’s submissions were up against strong competition too, with several hundred entries submitted in this year’s edition from across the continent.

The 2023 SABRE Awards recognised the following APO Group campaigns and their respective clients for their exceptional public relations accomplishments:

  • Northern Africa:
    • Overall Winner: Africa’s Business Heroes — Jack Ma Foundation with APO Group
    • Certificate of Excellence: Canon R-Tour — Canon with APO Group
  • Western Africa:
    • Overall Winner: Mercy Ships Africa Celebrations — Mercy Ships with APO Group
  • Corporate Social Responsibility:
    • Overall Winner: Africa’s Business Heroes — Jack Ma Foundation with APO Group
  • Industry Association:
    • Overall Winner: Basketball Africa League Season 2 — Basketball Africa League with APO Group
  • Not-for-Profit/Charities:
    • Overall Winner: Mercy Ships Africa Celebrations — Mercy Ships with APO Group.

APO Group’s Founder and Chairman, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Lynne Krawchuk, Vice President Digital, Public Relations, and Media Relations, and Lindsay Farley, Vice President, Editorial and Content Strategy, received the awards in person at the 2023 African Public Relations Conference in Lusaka, Zambia.

This impressive achievement highlights APO Group’s commitment to delivering world-class public relations campaigns that help clients achieve their communication goals while positively impacting communities across the African continent.

Only five years after entering the public relations consultancy industry, APO Group has grown at meteoric speed to establish itself as a leading name in a market dominated by global decades-old behemoths.

What started out as a press release distribution service fifteen years ago, is now a well-oiled Public Relations consultancy machine with over one hundred team members driving some of the most compelling, impactful, and effective PR campaigns on the continent.

“We are deeply honoured to receive these prestigious SABRE Awards, which demonstrate our expertise in executing highly effective public relations campaigns for our clients,” said Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard (https://www.Pompigne-Mognard.com/), Founder and Chairman of APO Group. “We take pride in working closely with our clients to understand their unique communication needs and delivering tailored solutions that exceed their expectations. These awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and the trust our clients place in us to tell their stories.”

Beyond these awards, APO Group’s Africa Celebrations campaign for Mercy Ships was also nominated for the Platinum SABRE Award for Best in Show in Africa, further underlining the success of this award-winning campaign.

APO Group’s success at the 2023 SABRE Awards highlights its commitment to delivering world-class public relations campaigns that help clients achieve their communication goals while positively impacting communities across the African continent.

With these outstanding results, APO Group will now move forward to compete in the global competition for the Global SABRE Awards in every category it won at the African level. This opportunity allows APO Group to showcase its expertise and success on the global stage, further establishing the company as a leading pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service.

As APO Group continues to cement its position as a frontrunner in the industry, the company remains dedicated to helping clients achieve their communication goals and make a positive impact on communities across the African continent and beyond.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

APO Group Celebrates Global Double Award Win for Africa at World Business Outlook Awards 2023

These prestigious awards solidify APO Group as the Leading PR Firm in Africa and the Leading Pan-African Communications Consultancy in this year’s competition

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, June 29, 2023/APO Group/ — 

APO Group (http://www.APO-opa.com), the leading pan-African communication and media relations consultancy, is proud to announce that it has been named the winner in two award categories by World Business Outlook 2023. The two award titles, Leading Public Relations Firm Africa 2023 and Leading Pan-African Communications Consultancy Africa 2023 have been bestowed upon APO Group following a rigorous nomination and evaluation process led by the competition’s esteemed panel of judges.

The World Business Outlook Awards (https://apo-opa.info/44f5Diq) are renowned for honouring organisations that have demonstrated outstanding performance, innovation, and leadership in their respective industries. Winners are chosen based on extensive research, industry analysis, and feedback from industry experts and clients.

This recognition is a testament to APO Group’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional communication and strategic solutions to clients and its continuous efforts in driving pan-African business growth.

Commenting on winning the awards, Lynne Krawchuk, Vice President of Digital, PR and Media Relations for APO Group, says, “These prestigious awards validate our commitment to excellence in providing top-notch media relations and communication services across Africa. This recognition further solidifies APO Group’s position as a leader in the media and communications industry. It underscores its commitment to providing exceptional services that contribute to the growth and success of businesses operating in Africa.

“We express our gratitude to our clients and partners for their continued trust and support, and to our dedicated team across the board for their hard work and dedication to delivering outstanding results.”

APO Group is made up of expert communication strategists with years of experience developing and supporting public relations campaigns on the African continent and across the globe. The consultancy also taps into a variety of resources to deliver strong and consistent messaging to the media for its clients. With a strong focus on Africa, the company has helped numerous clients spanning a broad range of sectors and industries to amplify their brand messaging, enhance their reputation, and connect with their target audience effectively.

The 2023 Annual Awards Ceremony will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, later this year in November. The Awards Ceremony will be attended by the top entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, and bureaucrats from across the globe to analyse the best global business excellence. In 2022, the Awards were held in Dubai with guests arriving from around the globe to receive awards and interact with leading business personalities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

APO Group’s success at the world’s most prestigious Public Relations Awards is a win for Africa

APO Group’s work with international NGO Mercy Ships is the only wholly-African campaign to be recognised by the PRovoke Media Global SABRE Awards, the largest global awards event for excellence in Public Relations

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, October 31, 2023/APO Group/ — 

APO Group (http://www.APO-opa.com), the leading Pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is delighted to reveal it has been shortlisted for a PRovoke Media Global SABRE Award for its successful Public Relations campaign with international NGO Mercy Ships.

Download the case study: https://apo-opa.info/3MkXPVK

The SABRE Awards are the most prestigious and important awards in the Public Relations industry due to their global reach and comprehensive coverage of diverse PR disciplines. Each year, thousands of campaigns are evaluated by a jury of industry leaders, with the most compelling selected as regional winners for the Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), and Asia-Pacific. The very best of these winning campaigns are then put forward for the Global SABRE Awards to find the truly elite in international PR. 

Having already won an African SABRE Award in May, the Mercy Ships campaign was one of just 40 selected out of more than 5,500 entries submitted to the Global SABRE Awards competition. The ceremony to celebrate the ‘best of the best’ will take place at The Hotel Washington in Washington, D.C. from November 6-8 2023.

APO Group’s Mercy Ships campaign is the only nominee managed by a wholly African-owned agency, and the fact that it has been selected alongside campaigns from some of the most prominent PR agencies in the world is a testament to African storytelling. 

Mercy Ships is an international NGO that operates the largest civilian hospital ships in the world, delivering surgical care and medical training to underprivileged people, and bringing hope and healing to those who need it most. But, before APO Group was engaged to highlight its positive work across Africa, the Mercy Ships story remained relatively unknown.   

By leveraging its unrivalled access to African and international journalists, APO Group was able to amplify Mercy Ships’ visibility throughout the year, raising the profile of its work and bringing awareness to new audiences all over the world. In total, the campaign delivered dozens of interviews and editorial articles, more than 4,000 pieces of online coverage, and a PR value of USD$125 million.

The Global award follows an extremely successful year for APO Group as the SABRE Awards. Three further campaigns for the Jack Ma Foundation, Canon, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) were also recognised in regional categories, reflecting APO Group’s dominant position as Africa’s leading communications consultancy. 

Uniquely, APO Group has teams working ‘on the ground’ in many African countries, meaning they can reach every corner of the continent. This deep knowledge and experience of the complex, fragmented African media landscape cannot be replicated by global agencies operating satellite African offices. For more than 15 years, APO Group has been committed to changing the narrative about Africa, challenging preconceptions and bringing inspiring stories to international audiences for the first time. 

“This is an amazing accolade from the most prestigious Awards panel in international Public Relations,” said Rania El Rafie, Group Account Director at APO Group. “It is hugely exciting to be recognised alongside some of the biggest PR Agencies in the world as it shows that positive African stories can reach the pinnacle of the PR industry. Mercy Ships was the only campaign that was conceived, built, and delivered exclusively by Africans, so in our eyes we are already winners! We are proud to be flying the flag for our continent!”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

APO Group’s Founder, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Named One of ‘100 Most Influential Africans’

The New African Most Influential Africans list is the most authoritative, respected, and consulted list in both Africa and the diaspora

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, January 8, 2024/APO Group/ — 

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the premier award-winning Pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is proud to announce that its Founder and Chairman, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard (www.Pompigne-Mognard.com), has been named among the 100 Most Influential Africans.

The New African Most Influential Africans list is the most eagerly anticipated and talked-about annual compilation on the continent, having firmly established itself as the most authoritative, respected, and consulted list in both Africa and the diaspora.

The list, published since 2011, recognizes and celebrates the achievements and contributions of Africans from various fields and sectors who are making a positive impact on the continent and the world.

The New African Most Influential Africans list credits Nicolas as an entrepreneur who is “dominating the African Public Relations landscape” and acknowledges “his mastery of Africa’s media landscape, which has earned him the trust of many prominent business and political leaders globally, making him a key agenda driver on the continent”.

Nicolas sits on several Advisory Boards, Task Forces, and International Committees, including the Senior Advisory Board of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, the Advisory Boards of the African Energy Chamber, the World Football Summit, the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF), the Bloomberg New Economy Gateway Africa, the EurAfrican Forum, the Task Force for the FIFA – CAF Infrastructure Development Project, and the International Committee of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA). He is also a Special Advisor to the President of Rugby Africa, the governing body of rugby in Africa.

Nicolas’ wholly-owned company, APO Group, is the Pan-African public relations agency of FIFA, NBA, Basketball Africa League (BAL), the World Football Summit, Rugby Africa, Afro Nation (the world’s biggest Afrobeats Music festival), and provides services to 300 clients, including Nestlé, Coca Cola, TikTok, DHL, Marriott Group, Ecobank, Canon, Orange, Jack Ma Foundation, African Development Bank, Afreximbank, Africa Finance Corporation, Islamic Development Bank, Liquid Intelligent Technology, Radisson, Huawei, Boeing, Peugeot, MultiChoice, and many more.

“It’s truly an honour to be recognized among some of Africa’s most influential, prestigious, and inspirational names,” said Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder and Chairman of APO Group. “However, my 15-year-old son insists that while I may be ‘influential’, I’m still not quite an ‘influencer.’ Apparently, dance moves on TikTok are missing from my repertoire!”.

Other names on the list of the 100 Most Influential Africans include the President of the Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, the President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto, the President of the African Development Bank Group, Akinwumi Adesina, the President of Afreximbank, Benedict Oramah, Africa’s richest person, Aliko Dangote, and Afrobeats megastar Burna Boy.

Download the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2023 special edition of New African: https://apo-opa.co/4aL1VB7

More information about Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard: www.Pompigne-Mognard.com.

APO Group Celebrates Triple Award Win for Africa at Prestigious Brands Review Magazine Awards

APO Group was named Best PR Agency Africa 2024, Leading Communication Consultancy Africa 2024, and Leading Press Release Distribution Platform Africa 2024

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa , April 17, 2024/APO Group/ — 

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the premier award-winning Pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is proud to announce that it has been named the winner in three award categories by Brands Review Magazine, a renowned UK-based media publication dedicated to covering key industry sectors worldwide.

APO Group was named Best PR Agency Africa 2024, Leading Communication Consultancy Africa 2024, and Leading Press Release Distribution Platform Africa 2024 following a thorough evaluation process. These new accolades mark another milestone for APO Group, solidifying its position as a leader in public relations and communications services across Africa.

Brands Review Magazine is committed to recognising and rewarding excellence in businesses on a global scale. With a primary objective to showcase outstanding work and achievements, the magazine aims to highlight the exceptional contributions of businesses, top brands, and industry leaders from across diverse sectors.

APO Group has consistently demonstrated its commitment to excellence and innovation, earning recognition not only from Brands Review Magazine but also from other prestigious industry platforms. In 2023, APO Group and its clients won a total of 5 African SABRE Awards, surpassing all other firms in the competition. The SABRE Awards are the world’s biggest PR awards programme.

Furthermore, APO Group’s outstanding achievements in 2023 were acknowledged with prestigious awards such as a PRovoke Media Global SABRE Award and two World Business Outlook Awards. These awards encompassed various categories including Leading Public Relations Firm Africa 2023 and Leading Pan-African Communications Consultancy Africa 2023, highlighting the company’s unparalleled excellence and leadership in the industry. Commenting on winning the Brands Review Magazine awards, Rania El Rafie, Vice President of Public Relations and Strategic Communications at APO Group said, “These awards reaffirm our dedication to delivering excellence in media relations and communication services across Africa. They reinforce APO Group’s standing as a leader in the African media and communications industry, highlighting our unwavering commitment to quality and excellence.”

“We are honoured to be recognised by Brands Review Magazine and remain committed to delivering exceptional services to our clients across Africa.”

Originating as a press release distribution service 15 years ago, APO Group has evolved into a pan-African public relations and communications powerhouse, boasting a dedicated team of professionals who drive some of the most compelling campaigns across the African continent. APO Group experienced year-over-year revenue growth of 40% in 2021 and 60% in 2022.

In 2023, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Chairman and Founder of APO Group, was named among the 100 Most Influential Africans. The list, published since 2011, recognises and celebrates the achievements and contributions of Africans from various fields and sectors who are making a positive impact on the continent and the world.

Additionally, Pompigne-Mognard sits on several Advisory Boards, Task Forces, and International Committees, including the Senior Advisory Board of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, the Advisory Boards of the African Energy Chamber, the World Football Summit, the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF), the Bloomberg New Economy Gateway Africa, the EurAfrican Forum, the Task Force for the FIFA – CAF Infrastructure Development Project, and the International Committee of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA). He is also a Special Advisor to the President of Rugby Africa, the governing body of rugby in Africa.

APO Group works with more than 300 clients, ranging from governments to international institutions, prominent personalities, and companies active in Africa. Some of APO Group’s prestigious clients include Nestlé, Coca-Cola, TikTok, NBA, FIFA, Canon, DHL, Marriott Group, Ecobank, Siemens, Orange, Jack Ma Foundation, African Development Bank, World Health Organization, Islamic Development Bank, Liquid Intelligent Technology, Rotary International, Kaspersky, and Greenpeace.

The company comprises seasoned communication experts and strategists who bring years of invaluable experience in developing and supporting public relations campaigns across Africa and worldwide. Leveraging diverse resources, the consultancy ensures the delivery of robust and coherent messaging to media outlets on behalf of its clients. With a focus on the African market, the company has successfully assisted numerous clients from various sectors in amplifying their brand messaging, elevating their reputation, and establishing meaningful connections with their target audience.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

APO Group Vice President: Public Relations and Strategic Communication, Rania El-Rafie, named in ‘50 Remarkable African Women in Communication and Media’

Rania joins a notable list of female industry leaders who are inspiring and transforming Africa’s communications and media landscape

OHANNESBURG, South Africa, April 25, 2024/APO Group/ — 

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the premier award-winning Pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is proud to announce the inclusion of Rania El-Rafie, Vice President, Public Relations and Strategic Communication, in the 2023-2024 ‘50 Remarkable African Women in Communication and Media’ list.

Known as the #Nzinga50, the annual ‘50 Remarkable African Women in Communication and Media’ list is published by CommsOfAfrica, a pan-African provider of specialist information on the communication, media, and content creation sectors in Africa. Covering the entire African continent, as well as the diaspora, the list consists of exceptional African women who contribute significantly to advancement and innovation in their respective fields. Criteria for inclusion in the list include professional achievements and societal impact, reputation and influence, and creativity and vision.

Rania joins a notable list of female industry leaders who are inspiring and transforming Africa’s communications and media landscape. From corporate and agency PR professionals to independent consultants, journalists, producers, presenters, and TV hosts, all are making a lasting impression in their chosen disciplines.

“It is truly an honour to be included in the list of 50 remarkable African women in PR, together with some of the most influential and recognised names in our industry,” said Rania El-Rafie, Vice President, Public Relations and Strategic Communication at APO Group.

“Promoting diversity, inclusivity, and gender equality in our industry is something that I am deeply passionate about, and it is high on APO Group’s agenda as well. With 67% of our staff being female, and 50% of our management team, our inclusive approach not only enriches our company culture, but promotes innovation and success.

“At APO Group, our purpose is to champion Africa’s narratives, amplify Africa’s voices, and bridge Africa and the world. This goes beyond simple public relations, to redefining perceptions of Africa, including the roles of women. This accolade is another way in which we are demonstrating the progress that has been made in this regard.”

This award follows the recent announcement of APO Group as Best PR Agency Africa 2024, Leading Communication Consultancy Africa 2024, and Leading Press Release Distribution Platform Africa 2024 by Brands Review Magazine, further demonstrating the company’s commitment to excellence in the PR and communications industry.

In January of this year, Rania, who hails from Egypt, became the first person to be promoted to VP of Public Relations and Strategic Communications from within APO Group, and the youngest person ever to hold this key role. Since joining APO Group in 2020, Rania has managed the company’s most prestigious accounts, heading up a team of PR and communications professionals who work with some of the continent’s most influential brands, including Canon, Nestlé, TikTok, Jack Ma Foundation, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Marriott, AstraZeneca, European Investment Bank, Afreximbank, Islamic Development Bank, Vertiv, NBA, Basketball Africa League, Siemens Gamesa, Siemens Energy, GITEX, KONE, Mercy Ships, MSD, Qatar African Business Forum, Western Union, and Rugby Africa.

Download the #Nzinga50 list: Nzinga50 – Edition 2023-2024 – Comms Of Africa (https://apo-opa.co/49QXqU4)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

APO Group Account Director, Rosemary Otalor, Selected as Judge for the 2024 Nestlé Nigeria Media Awards

APO Group

APO Group, the leading pan-African communications and PR consultancy firm, is proud to announce that its Account Director, Rosemary Otalor, has been invited for the second consecutive year to serve as a judge for the prestigious Nestlé Nigeria Media Awards.

The Nestlé Nigeria Media Awards, now in its fourth edition, recognise and reward excellence in journalism, highlighting the professionalism and dedication of media professionals across Nigeria. Organised by Nestlé Nigeria PLC, the awards highlight impactful storytelling on critical themes including affordable nutrition, environmental sustainability, women empowerment, youth development, community advancement, finance, agriculture, and photojournalism.

Rosemary Otalor’s reappointment underscores her exceptional contributions to the communications industry and reflects APO Group’s commitment to delivering excellence through its talented team. With a wealth of experience in strategic communications and media engagement, Rosemary brings unparalleled expertise to the judging panel, further elevating the quality and credibility of this prestigious initiative.

Commenting on Rosemary Otalor’s appointment, Rania El Rafie, Vice President of Public Relations and Strategic Communications at APO Group, said: “Rosemary’s reappointment as a judge for the Nestlé Nigeria Media Awards is a proud moment for APO Group. It reflects her extraordinary talent and the value she brings to the communications industry. At APO Group, we are committed to nurturing and showcasing excellence, and Rosemary embodies this vision perfectly. We are delighted to see her contributions recognised on such a prestigious platform.”

“I am honoured to be part of the adjudication panel at the Nestlé Nigeria Media Awards once again,” said Otalor. “This platform not only celebrates the hard work of Nigerian journalists but also acknowledges and recognises the vital role of storytelling in driving change across the continent.”

With over 12 years of expertise in public relations and communications, Otalor is a highly accomplished professional who has successfully managed campaigns across diverse industries, including food and beverages, consumer goods, energy, oil and gas, healthcare, and financial services. Her proactive and dynamic approach, marked by a blend of passion, creativity, and skill, has consistently delivered exceptional outcomes for her clients.

Otalor is an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and a member of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria. Beyond her professional accolades, she is deeply committed to driving positive change across Africa, with a particular focus on empowering women and youth through education and advocacy.

The awards ceremony, set to take place in Lagos on XX December 2024, promises to be a remarkable celebration of journalistic excellence, bringing together media professionals, organisations, and key stakeholders to honour outstanding contributions to the industry.

For additional details about the 2024 Nestlé Nigeria Media Awards, please visit Nestle (https://apo-opa.co/3OKABZV).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

Tracy Walakira Nabiteeko Named APO Group’s First Culture Ambassador as She Marks a Decade with the Company

APO Group

APO Group

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading pan-African communications and PR consultancy firm is proud to announce Tracy Walakira’s appointment as the company’s first Culture Ambassador, coinciding with her 10th anniversary with the company. This newly created role reflects her dedication to APO Group’s ethos and a proven commitment to nurturing a positive organisational culture.

As an Account Director in the PR and Strategic Communications division, Tracy has been instrumental in some of APO Group’s most successful PR campaigns for high-profile clients in various industries across the African continent and beyond. Her strategic vision has played a key role in promoting narratives that spotlight Africa’s positive stories.

Reflecting on her journey, Tracy said, “Celebrating my 10th anniversary at APO Group is both humbling and exciting. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities to grow personally and professionally and contribute to this amazing company. My new role as Culture Ambassador is a true honour, and I’m thrilled to play a leading role in fostering a culture of inclusivity, respect, and collaboration. Together, we’ve built something special at APO Group, and I look forward to contributing to its growth as a leader and an advocate for our people and values.”

As Culture Ambassador, Tracy will steer efforts to embed APO Group’s core values of excellence, accountability, collaboration, diversity, and agility across the fully remote company.

APO Group’s Founder and Chairman, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, commented, “On behalf of APO Group, I congratulate Tracy on this long-service milestone and for always giving her best to her clients and colleagues. In addition, her well-deserved appointment as Culture Ambassador reflects both her exceptional leadership and our commitment to nurturing a workplace that celebrates diversity, collaboration, and professional growth.”

Since joining APO Group in 2014, Tracy has gained experience in all aspects of public relations, contributing significantly to the company’s standing as an industry leader. In recognition of her outstanding client contributions, she received the Jack Ma Foundation’s inaugural ABH 100 Award in 2023, which acknowledges individuals who have supported Africa’s Business Heroes’ (ABH) pan-African initiative over its five editions. ABH highlighted that these 100 outstanding individuals have played a pivotal role in propelling the initiative to new heights through their unwavering dedication to growing the African start-up ecosystem. This recognition is a testament to Tracy’s work over the past ten years and her ongoing passion for supporting Africa’s positive stories and growth through pan-African PR at APO Group.

“The past ten years have been an incredible journey, and I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the most inspiring clients and colleagues. APO Group is a truly unique organisation and our shared commitment to shaping Africa’s narrative with passion and purpose drives everything we do. None of this would have been possible without the support of my family, the trust of our remarkable clients, and our amazing media partners. I’m especially grateful to my team and APO Group for empowering me to lead, inspire, and serve as an ambassador for our company’s culture,” added Tracy.

“Tracy’s ten years at APO Group is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and a shared vision for excellence. Being named Culture Ambassador is a recognition of her unwavering dedication to building a workplace that thrives on collaboration, inclusivity, and innovation. This milestone reflects the very essence of our values and the culture we strive to nurture every day – one that empowers our people to grow, excel, and lead with purpose. Tracy’s journey is an inspiration to all of us at APO Group, and we are excited to see her continue to shape and elevate our culture to even greater heights,” concluded Rania El Rafie, Vice President of PR and Strategic Communications.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.