Dentsu Kenya today announces a pivotal leadership transition as Christopher Madison steps down as Chief Executive Officer. Madison’s tenure has been marked by transformative growth, innovative campaigns, and an unwavering commitment to client success. The dentsu Kenya team extends heartfelt gratitude for his exceptional leadership and outstanding contributions and wishes him all the best as he embarks on this new chapter.
In a groundbreaking move, dentsu Kenya is proud to announce the appointment of Samantha Kipury and Joel Rao as co-CEOs. This dynamic leadership model marks a new era for the organization, setting the stage for transformative growth and innovation in the marketing and customer experience landscape across Kenya and beyond.
“At dentsu Kenya, leadership is no longer about a single individual at the helm—it’s about collaboration, shared vision, and leveraging complementary strengths to drive impact and innovation,” said Samantha Kipury. “This milestone represents not just a leadership evolution, but a reimagination of how we deliver value to our clients, empower our people, and shape the future of our industry.”
The co-CEO model is a deliberate, strategic choice designed to address the complex demands of the fast-evolving business environment. Joel Rao, with his expertise in Digital and CXM (Customer Experience Management), will lead transformative, customer-first solutions powered by cutting-edge technology and insights. Samantha’s unparalleled knowledge of media will be instrumental in shaping groundbreaking strategies and delivering transformative outcomes. She will drive Strategy and Media, focusing on operational excellence, creativity and strategic partnerships that create long-term value.
“Having worked closely with Samantha over the years, I deeply admire her visionary thinking and unwavering commitment to excellence,” said Joel Rao. “Together, we are not just dividing responsibilities - we are amplifying outcomes. This partnership underscores our shared commitment to innovation, continuity, and client-centric leadership.”
Together, Joel and Samantha are committed to four strategic priorities:
- Driving Innovation: Staying ahead of emerging technologies and seamlessly integrating them for clients.
- Ensuring Continuity and Stability: Building on dentsu Kenya’s legacy of trust and excellence while shaping the organization’s future.
- Empowering People: Fostering a culture of inclusivity, creativity, and growth to unlock the full potential of the team.
- Delivering Client Value: Creating integrated, transformative solutions that address the most pressing business challenges of today and tomorrow.
“This is an exciting time for dentsu Kenya,” Samantha added. “We are honoured to lead an organization that has been a trailblazer in shaping the marketing and media landscape. To our valued clients, stakeholders, and partners - you remain at the centre of everything we do. Together, we will unlock new possibilities and define the future of the industry.”
This bold, dual-leadership approach reaffirms dentsu Kenya’s position as a forward-thinking organization committed to redefining what’s possible in the marketing and media landscape. With Joel Rao and Samantha Kipury at the helm, the company is poised to deliver even greater impact, innovation and value.