Chillibush Communications, Phoenix Group launch Chillibush Africa

11 Jan 2012

Through-the-line communications agency Chillibush Communications has partnered with The Phoenix Group to create Chillibush Africa (Pty) Ltd. The new company will build on the existing experience and expertise of the agencies to offer strategic, media and creative and PR services throughout Africa.

The Phoenix Group, based in Cape Town, South Africa, focuses predominantly on providing branding and design business strategy and HR consulting to the financial services sector in West Africa.

Phoenix Group director, Paul Cape says, "Through consulting for clients in Africa, we noticed increasing demand for an expanded range of top level marketing services and realised that we needed a strong partner to be able to service these opportunities. We've found the perfect fit with award-winning agency Chillibush Communications and look forward to creating more of a foothold and reputation for good service within these territories."

The team

Glen Jordan, a founding director of activation and media business, Provantage and a former managing director of Chillibush Communications, brings his extensive experience in emerging markets to bear as managing director of Chillibush Africa. Paul and Leanne Cape of the Phoenix Group, Chillibush founding director, Dale Hefer, and Chillibush creative director Felix Calitz will form an experienced leadership team for Chillibush Africa.

"Chillibush Africa will provide 360° through-the-line communications, offering integrated solutions without sacrificing expertise in specific areas," says Jordan. "We'll harness the capacity of Chillibush Communications as we grow the new business, matching this with the experience and connections the Phoenix team offer in African markets. We look forward to working with clients to unlock the true potential of these growth markets."

Projects

The Phoenix Group has already established impressive communications credentials for the Chillibush Africa team to build on. These include rebranding UT Financial Services in Ghana, achieving 80% brand loyalty within a three month period; developing the Private Bank brand for Nigeria's largest bank FirstBank Nigeria; establishing the AFC as a leading financial services brand in across West Africa and working with UTHoldings in acquiring and launching UT Bank in Ghana as well as launching UT Financial Services in South Africa.

Internal communications are also a strong area. The agency has developed and implemented internal 'living the brand' campaigns for both FCMB Nigeria and UT Ghana and managed a highly successful internal campaign for the merger of UT Holdings and UTBank. Work is in progress with Ghana's largest bank, Ghana Commercial Bank, on an Internal Change campaign.

The Chillibush Africa team will be based in Cape Town, working closely with Chillibush Communications in Johannesburg.