British-born and now Paris-based Emma Keenan, previously vice president and partner of the independent media relations agency Open2Europe, replaces American Gary Burandt who managed the expanding network for almost 20 years.

According to Troika’s managing imagineer Suzanne Valle, there are currently over 90 member agencies in 65 plus countries in the ICOM network which is growing, with Brainwave Communications in Kenya being the latest to sign up. Collectively, ICOM members service over 2000 clients and bill more than $3.5-billion annually.

Over the years, ICOM member agencies have shared many high-profile clients including Hilton Hotels, Crocs, Peugeot and Porsche.

“Troika’s membership of ICOM enables us to participate in the broader international market and more importantly have like-minded partner agencies on the ground in eight other African countries. without having to give up our independence,” explains Valle.

“The appointment of Emma Keenan marks the start of a new era for the network. She has committed herself to promoting even closer co-operative links between member agencies, enabling what is essentially an active, business-savvy group of successful entrepreneurs to share ideas, experiences, clients, prospects, tools and best practices and local knowledge,” adds Valle. 

Apart from Kenya and South Africa, other African ICOM members are based in Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia while the network itself covers some 95% of the world’s markets.