JWT SA appoints Kershnee Pillay as Managing Partner

JWT SA has appointed Kershnee Pillay – a former client lead director at MindShare World SA and media manager at Nestle SA – as managing partner at JWT Johannesburg.

Pillay, 34, will report to Jim Faulds, CEO JWT South Africa and bolster the rapidly developing South African management team with key strategies in consolidation and scalability of brand campaigns.

Commenting on the hire, Faulds said, "JWT has been investing in Africa since 1927 and our clients have big ambitions for the region. Over the last three years we've come a long way in positioning ourselves to best service those client needs in today's constantly changing business environment. It was imperative therefore that we bring in a managing partner for Johannesburg who could drive not only results, but future growth for the team. Kershnee's pioneering ideas in managing media production and campaigns at Mindshare and Nestle are a perfect fit with JWT's vision and mission."

"I am thrilled to be joining JWT at this time. Not only is the agency celebrating 150 years in the industry, but our region's consumers have made a quantum leap in their media consumption habits in only 10 years - from no media to mobile media with tailor made content," Kershnee explained.

She added "that means brands need to manage a live balancing act between mobile media and tangible on the ground elements. JWT started tackling this early on and I am honoured to be taking up the mantle in Johannesburg, and will continue to deliver communication that will build lasting relationships for brands and their consumers."