Kantar TNS appoints marketing consultant as new CEO in South Africa
Kantar TNS, one of the world’s leading research agencies and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Kantar Group, has appointed a new CEO in the form of Ivan Moroke. In his new role, which commenced in February this year, the former Project Director at Kantar Consulting will report directly to Karin Du Chenne, CEO of Kantar Insights.
Kantar TNS is one of the largest market research and information firms in the world, employing more than 15,000 professionals worldwide. The firm is a subsidiary of Kantar, a global consulting and insights firm that acquired TNS a decade ago in 2008.
The firm’s primary focus is on using market research and expertise in the domain of its clients' challenges, with the aim of offering customised solutions. Optimisation is among the key principles that the firm operates on. In South Africa, the firm is a stalwart of market research, operating from three locations across Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
As of early February, the firm has come under new leadership in South Africa, now under the direction of marketing and strategy expert Ivan Moroke. Having completed a BComm degree from the University of South Africa, Moroke plunged straight into the world of sales, taking up the role of Sales Representative at British American Tobacco.
While initially engaged in on-the-ground sales of tobacco products, Moroke soon ascended through the rank of Area Manager, and was a Regional Manager by the end of his seven-year spell at the firm. Moroke then began his first stint at Kantar Consulting as a Project Director, where he worked in research and brand positioning for leading companies spanning the FMCG, banking, petrochemical and other sectors.
Following an initial four-year period at Kantar, Moroke occupied the role of Managing Director at three different firms, namely Lowe Bull, Yellowwood Future Architects, and renowned advertising agency TBWA. At TBWA, Moroke did exceptionally well, eventually ascending to the position of CEO, which he retained for three years before leaving to found Co-Currency.
Co-Currency was conceptualised as a market insights and strategy consulting firm, with a focus on collaboration to help brands with expanding their reach. Now, Moroke is set to add to his responsibilities, having returned to Kantar as a CEO, this time in their TNS market research arm.
At his new role, Moroke will report to the CEO of Insights at Kantar in South Africa, Karin Du Chenne, who said of his appointment; “An illustrious career indeed, but one which has not changed the man himself, who is characterised by his humanity, creativity, values and humility – a perfect Kantar person. I have known Ivan for many years and I am delighted that he will be part of our team - I know he is going to take Kantar TNS from strength to strength and partner with our clients to drive brand growth and customer centricity.”
Moroke joins the ranks of CEO’s across South Africa who are trying to navigate the current scenario of economic stagnation across the country, displaying different degrees of optimism if not sheer pessimism about the future.
