"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.

Additional Resources

1. 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.
2. Gilbert emphasized the significance of integrating community voices and diversified perspectives, which led to compelling discussions and collaborative opportunities.
3. Agentic AI in public relations offers both exciting prospects and challenges, requiring careful implementation and understanding.
4. The travel and tourism sector in Africa holds immense potential if strategic collaborations are established between brands, airlines, and governments.
5. 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...