Kenya Airways (KQ) has received a major boost after an international award was bestowed on the company's Marketing & Corporate Communications Director, Chris Diaz.
Mr Diaz was named among the most influential leaders in global marketing together with other world-class personalities who have influenced high standards in the industry.
In the event hosted by the World Marketing Congress and World Brand Congress at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai, Mr Diaz's role in marketing Africa in global markets as a Trustee of Brand Africa was also recognised.
Diaz, the Brand Kenya director, noted that African marketing leaders continued to grow and draw attention globally hence cutting a niche for tourism on the continent.
"We have many strong brands and marketers in Africa who are influencing more investments and tourists into Kenya and the wider African market. Africa has great strength of marketers. We have been championing modern marketing solutions and trends which include digital marketing which is transforming marketing strategies of most brands," he said.
"This is making Africa compete in the global marketing space with world-class standards."
Mr Diaz was the first marketing leader from Africa to serve on the board of the Chartered Institute of Marketing UK.
The KQ boss, who is also a fellow of the Marketing Society of Kenya, spoke of unlimited opportunities to be exploited in the digital marketing space in the continent.
"There are huge opportunities for marketing in building African brands, as well as international brands entering the Africa markets. We need to invest in strong marketing teams as the demand for marketing as a career grows. There is need for more investments in training and development for global marketers," Diaz mentioned.
He urged budding leaders in both digital and marketing development to position Africa more strongly in the global marketplace.
Diaz added that the tourism sector will be stronger when the marketing sector is well-built highlighting: "Africa’s tourism numbers will surpass the nearly 60 million visitors annually, as the brand experience, culture, destinations and great tourist attractions are well marketed globally."
Here is Diaz's photo:
