Kalinda, who will be responsible for managing FleishmanHillard’s engagement with current African affiliates and developing partnerships in new markets, has a remarkable track record in international media relations, content creation and digital integration.

Joining FleishmanHillard from Weber Shandwick, where she was responsible for leading key pan-African development projects and social impact accounts that include the Innovation Prize for Africa and the Michael and Susan Dell foundation, Kalinda brings a wealth of experience to a growing team that is increasingly focused on executing large international campaigns that champion client interests throughout the African region.

Kalinda has also worked to raise the visibility of Samsung’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives during the 2013 African Cup of Nations and led content creation for the African Union’s CAADP framework and Nigeria’s Ministry of Agriculture.

Between 2003 and 2006 Kalinda was based in New York City as a content producer and filmmaker with director Spike Lee and is recognised as the first African woman to host a show on MTV in 2000, based in London.

In addition to her role in relationship building and business development, Kalinda will also oversee the gathering of market intelligence, servicing pan-African business, the development of an Africa strategy with the intention to creating a deeper FleishmanHillard network on the continent.

This appointment clearly signals FleishmanHillard’s intent to extend and nurture its already well-established African practice, adds FleishmanHillard SA managing director, Kevin Welman.

“Mimi’s appointment as FleishmanHillard’s Africa Lead is indicative of how critical pan-African relations are to us. Increasingly we are seeing our clients expressing considerable interest in engaging audiences across the continent. This is a key growth area for the agency and we are proud to welcome such an experienced and vibrant communications practitioner to our South African office.”