Dawn Rowlands to lead conversation as Guest Speaker at MARKETING EDGE Annual Summit
By Felicia Nwosu
MARKETING EDGE, Nigeria’s premier advertising magazine, is excited to announce that Dawn Rowlands, Chief Executive Officer of dentsu Sub-Saharan Africa, will be the Guest Speaker at its upcoming Annual Summit. The event, scheduled for Friday, September 27, 2023, at 9:00 AM via Zoom, will feature Rowlands leading a crucial discussion on “Tech Acceleration: Integrating AI Without Sacrificing Human Creativity.”
Dawn Rowlands is a renowned figure in the advertising industry, celebrated for her exceptional contributions and transformative leadership. Her career spans over two decades, during which she has consistently demonstrated innovation and excellence. The passionate brand builder began her career at Ogilvy, where she honed her skills in media strategy, working on high-profile accounts including Volkswagen, pharmaceuticals, tobacco, and alcoholic beverages. Her early success led to her appointment as Media Director at DDB South Africa, where, at just 26 years old, she was tasked with leading the third-largest agency group in the country.
In 2001, Rowlands became a shareholder at Nota Bene, a pioneering media agency at the forefront of media and channel strategy in South Africa. After Nota Bene was sold to WPP, Rowlands founded Integrator, a groundbreaking player in the Out-Of-Home (OOH) media industry in Africa. The success of Integrator led to its acquisition by Aegis in 2005, after which Rowlands was invited to lead Aegis Media Sub-Saharan Africa.
Under Rowlands’ leadership at dentsu Sub-Saharan Africa, the company has seen tremendous growth. She expanded the team from just 80 to over 1,500 employees across the region, spearheading the establishment of 10 market start-ups and forming partnerships with 23 local businesses. Her strategic vision has positioned dentsu as a leading player in the industry, frequently ranking among the top firms in various markets.
Rowlands’ remarkable achievements have been recognized through numerous awards and appointments. She was honored with the MOST Awards Media Legend accolade in 2019 and has been appointed to dentsu International’s Social Impact Steering Committee. Her other accolades include the Financial Mail Africa Impact Award in 2018, the Nedbank Business Woman of the Year Award in 2013, the AdReview Advertising Achiever of the Year Award in 2012, and the Gold Stevie Award for Maverick of the Year in 2012. Additionally, Rowlands was named Access International Business Woman of the Year in 2013 and serves on the board of the Loeries, as well as co-chair of the Adweek Africa Advisory Council.
Her educational background includes being the Top Media Student at the AAA School of Advertising, where she studied Communication and Media Studies. She is also a member of the United Latino Students Association.
As she prepares to speak at the MARKETING EDGE Annual Summit, Rowlands will share her insights on how the integration of artificial intelligence in the advertising industry can be balanced with human creativity. This discussion is highly anticipated by industry professionals eager to understand how technological advancements can coexist with creative processes to drive future success.
The MARKETING EDGE Annual Summit promises to be a landmark event, with a renowned industry expert leading a session that is set to inspire and provide valuable knowledge for navigating the evolving landscape of advertising.
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