South Africa: VWV Appoints Koo Govender as its First Female CEO
The VWV Group, South Africa’s leading brand experience agency, has announced Koo Govender’s appointment as the first female CEO in its thirty-year history. Govender who is currently the M-Net director: corporate marketing and communications, will take over the reins in September.
Koo Govender
Founder and chairman of the Group, Mark Steinhobel says: “Koo’s combination of business and marketing acumen coupled with her experience with high profile events and stakeholder relationship management is unrivalled. She has all the right credentials to lead a strong organization like VWV, and brings a unique perspective at a time when we are expanding into new markets and launching new platforms like those offered by VWV Massive,” says Steinhobel.
Govender, who has worked at the MultiChoice Group for 22 years, developed a real sensitivity to different markets during her tenure, and has an unqualified depth of understanding when it comes to holisitic marketing and consumer market segmentation.
During her career at M-Net, Govender held various positions including on-air marketing, creative services marketing manager for DStv/MultiChoice, and marketing director: SA & Africa Channels. In her current position she has influenced the development of the brand strategy to protect the company reputation; managed the CSI portfolio through the M-Net Cares Brand; and developed all internal and external communication strategies. She has also directed the portfolio for sponsorships, viewer competitions, and Group events and has been the official spokesperson for M-Net since 2008.
Govender is a passionate and proven marketer with an outstanding record of accomplishment. During her career she has won various Loeries and Promax Awards for on-air promos for the Group and was the first Chairwoman of Promax SA, the world’s premier body for promotion and marketing professionals working in electronic and broadcasting media. She has been a semi-finalist for the Most Influential Woman in 2010: Media category – CEO Magazine; Finalist for 2012 Most Influential Women in Business and Government Awards – CEO Magazine; and is a regular judge for awards likes the Shoprite Checkers Women of the Year and CEO Magazine Women of the Year.
“I consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity to lead a company that has carved its niche in the industry over the last 30 years; an organisation that is highly awarded and respected. I am confident I can bring my experience, strengths, and positive energy to drive the business forward to even greater levels of achievement,” says Govender.
A spiritual person, Govender’s life is directed by her philosophy that “life is not only about success but about significance and living your true potential.” Married and a mother of two, she has travelled extensively, has performed many motivational and guest speaker engagements on woman mentorship, is a golf enthusiast and enjoys interior decorating.
“As an organisation VWV is committed to the empowerment and advancement of woman and under Koo’s leadership, VWV can move forward into a new era with great confidence,” concludes Steinhobel.
For more information on creating experiences that change perceptions and inspire action call Sanja Stanojevic on 011 799-2600 or visit www.vwv.com. Like us on Facebook: VWV and follow us on Twitter: @VWVGroup
