Prezence Digital, Chief Technology Officer, Tim Bishop says Patel’s appointment creates the perfect digital union: “Bringing Prakash on board means we now offer clients a marriage of skills and services; the most robust technical ability and strategy, together with 360 marketing know-how. In other words an agency that understands your entire marketing plan and has the expertise to deliver digital and mobile solutions that integrate and underpin all of your digital marketing objectives.”

Prakash Patel brings more than 18 years of international integrated marketing experience and in particular over a decade of digital experience that includes Strategic Planning, Integrated CRM/eCRM, Website and Database Design & Build, as well as Data Planning and Analysis.

Prior to joining Prezence Digital, Patel successfully set up the full service specialist digital division of an international advertising agency. In less than 18 months, under his leadership the agency received a number of industry accolades including Loeries, Bookmarks, Apex, Assegais, Creative Circle and AdReview newcomer agency of year awards.

Patel says together with Bishop, Prezence Digital’s mandate will be to further grow the digital agency side of the business as well as continuing the agency’s dominance in mobilizing brands across Africa and internationally as one of few South African digital agencies that really has the technical bases covered plus the strategically led creative outputs covering the entire digital landscape and all skills are in-house.

"The conversations happening in boardrooms across South Africa are how to further embrace the digital space and in particular online brand reputation management and social media while engaging in effective mass communication at a time when advertising is going through its most fundamental changes and challenges.”

These fundamental changes make for the most exciting times in the industry adds Patel. “Where once digital had been an after-thought with traditional advertising taking dominance, the time is now right for digital to share the table with the rest of advertising, especially when you think about mobile having a far greater reach than other medium and the importance digital communication platforms are increasingly playing in our daily lives.”

Michael Markovitz, Chairman: Primedia Digital echoes Bishop’s sentiment at the appointment: “The wealth of agency led brand knowledge and experience that Prakash Patel brings to Prezence Digital, together with Tim Bishop’s mobile and technical pedigree will create a tipping point for the delivery of effective new media and mobile solutions in South Africa.”