BHM commences operations in the UK
BlackHouse Media, a Nigerian public relations and communications company, has announced the commencement of its UK operations.
Founder Ayeni Adekunle CMPRCA, MCIPR will serve as principal consultant and chief executive officer.
Stephen Waddington FPRCA, FCIPR, of Wadds Inc has been appointed adviser and non-executive director, alongside Moliehi Molekoa, managing director of Magna Carta South Africa.
Oladotun Ayeni, human resource management expert and doctoral researcher at the University of Edinburgh, and Femi Falodun CEO of Lagos-based ID Africa will also serve as directors.
Founded on November 6, 2006, BHM is one of Africa’s promising agencies, representing market leaders in FMCG, ICT, and Media. Nigeria Breweries PLC (Heineken), Nigeria’s leading brewer has been a client since 2013. MTN Nigeria Communications PLC, the continent’s telecommunications leader, has retained BHM for brand and corporate communications since 2017. The company has worked for Coca-Cola, the world’s leader in non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages since 2019, as well as MultiChoice, Africa’s leading entertainment company, since 2018. Other clients include Reckitt Benckiser and the Project Management Institute.
BHM has also pioneered several innovations on the continent, introducing a PR App in 2014, the annual PR report in 2016, and the Global Day of Influence in 2020. A proposed World PR Day is billed to debut on July 16, the birthday of Ivy Lee.
Ayeni Adekunle said: “We recognise the importance of the UK, in the global PR industry, as well as the bilateral opportunity between Africa and Britain. So it’s only natural that this is the home for our first international operations. We want to help organisations in Nigeria and other parts of Africa build better relationships and explore opportunities the UK provides, while also providing insight, intelligence, and advisory that will help British organisations make better sense of Africa partnerships, trade, and investment.’’
According to the World Bank, Africa presents the opportunity to create the world’s largest free trade area – if the African Continental Free Trade Area goes right – by connecting over one billion people in 55 countries with a combined GDP of almost £3 trillion. And UK-Africa trade, which increased by 7.5% to £36 billion in 2019, is something to watch.
Stephen Waddington added: “Wadds Inc. is pleased to be advising Ayeni and his team at BHM as they set up in the UK. The public relations industry is in need of some new perspective and ideas, and it’s about time we pay attention to what Africa, a continent of over one billion people, and so many experts, has to say. I have no doubts the UK will benefit from a company that has done so well in Africa, and knows the UK well.’’
Ayeni worked as a journalist and columnist before setting up BHM in 2006. The company worked with celebrities and entertainers before winning a ViacomCBS pitch in 2010, followed by Moet Hennessy. He is a fellow of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, a council member of the PRCA, and a committee member of CIPR Scotland. He lives in Lagos, Nigeria and Edinburgh Scotland where BHM UK was incubated.
The company will have offices in Edinburgh and London but BHM advocates remote and flexible working for employees. With an additional 25 hires in the past year, staff strength is now almost 100.
Enitan Kehinde (Lead Consultant, FMCG), who studied public relations at Sheffield Hallam University before joining BHM in 2016 will return to the UK as general manager.
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