British PR firm opens regional office after bagging tender

UK firm Grayling says fast uptake of smartphones in Kenya has opened new business window for companies in digital marketing. PHOTO | FILE 

By JOHN GACHIRI

In Summary

• Grayling said the Nairobi office would also serve its UK-based clients seeking to penetrate the regional market.
• The UK-based company has already begun operations and plans to expand its workforceinShare

Grayling, a global public relations firm based in the UK, has opened a Nairobi office after bagging a contract with the Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism.

Grayling said the Nairobi office would also serve its UK-based clients seeking to penetrate the regional market.

“Our clients are increasingly focused on Africa and its fastest-growing sub-region, East Africa, has been firmly on our emerging markets radar,” said Grayling’s parent company Huntsworth Plc chief executive Paul Taaffe in a statement.

“Leading global businesses in infrastructure, financial services; telecommunications; travel and hospitality are extending their reach into the continent and require agile, local communications teams who operate to international standards.”

The company has already begun operations and plans to expand its workforce.

“We are thrilled to expand our international network into Kenya and East Africa. We start with a 12-strong team that is 70 per cent Kenyan and with a firm commitment to nurture and grow local talent,” said Grayling chief executive for Middle East, Turkey and Africa region Loretta Ahmed.

READ: Kenya picks PR firm to revive tourism, improve investment

The company said the fast uptake of smartphones in Kenya and the region has created attractive opportunities for firms that engage in digital marketing.

Local firms also say digital marketing is a fast-growing segment.

ScanGroup, which is listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, said digital marketing was one of the main revenue drivers for the company last year.

“In terms of disciplines, we continue to see growth across all disciplines. Digital and market research grew faster than other disciplines,” said ScanGroup when it released its 2014 end-of-year results.