Lekan Fadolapo

Director General

Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON)

Oscar Tshifure

Vice President

Pan African Media Research Organisation (PAMRO)

Oscar is a seasoned public affairs and strategic communications professional with over 15 years of experience in the field. With a track record spanning diverse industries, Oscar has consistently demonstrated an ability to drive impactful stakeholder engagement, regulatory strategy, legislative positioning, public relations, political counsel, and crisis management.

Oscar is also a respected leader and influencer in the media and communications field, holding directorship and board positions at several organisations, such as the South African Reading Foundation, PRISA and PAMRO. He is the President-Elect of the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA), the Vice President of the Pan African Media Research Organisation (PAMRO), and a member of the Academic Advisory Committee for the Department of Integrated Communication at Tshwane University of Technology. He is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at Henley Africa, with a focus on strategic management and leadership. Oscar’s mission is to advance the standards and practices of public affairs and advocacy in Africa and beyond, and to leverage his expertise in media research and ratings to inform and influence decision-making and policy-making.

Gary Whitaker

CEO

The Broadcast Research Council of South Africa

Gary boasts over two decades of expertise spanning market research, media strategy, and both traditional and digital marketing. His journey began with a focus on comprehensive market research roles at ACNielsen and Millward Brown. Transitioning into media strategy, Gary excelled at Mindshare and Universal McCann before ascending to Consumer Insights Manager at Nestle’ SA, eventually assuming the role of Head of Media.

His talents were further recognized when he was sought after by MTN SA for a senior management position overseeing Trade Marketing, Store Design & Build, and spearheading the digitization of the Branded Retail Channel.

Subsequently, Gary took on diverse Exco group roles at Publicis Media, while concurrently holding a BUD position at Zenith Media. His industry recognition was cemented when he was chosen as a judge for the prestigious AMASA awards in 2018.

Driven by a passion for the media sector, Gary is committed to fostering profound consumer insights that underpin strategic decision-making across agency and corporate landscapes. He places paramount importance on data integrity and meticulous planning. Renowned for his lateral thinking and solution-oriented approach, Gary’s appointment as CEO of the BRC marks the culmination of his versatile, self-directed career and his unwavering dedication to driving meaningful impact.

Deborah Brady

Manging Director

Media Sales

Deborah Brady has an extensive background in television broadcasting and advertising sales across the African broadcasting landscape, boasting an extensive background in television broadcasting and advertising sales. Her expertise encompasses a broad spectrum, from public broadcasting to Pay TV and free-to-air television across Africa, with a strong emphasis on content distribution and revenue generation.

Her venture into the production realm provided Deborah with valuable insights into the ideation, creation, and production of advertiser-funded content. She has been instrumental in developing sponsorship partnerships for broadcaster-led productions and maximizing the potential of ancillary rights.

A pivotal chapter in Deborah’s career was her involvement with Discovery Networks, where she had a front row seat into a transformative era in broadcasting. This period saw the industry’s evolution from legacy PayTV to the incorporation of free-to-air distribution, as well as advancements in digital and OTT platforms. Deborah’s strategic acumen facilitated the establishment of new distribution partnerships across various platforms.

In her most recent endeavour, Deborah, alongside Cheryl Van Rensburg—a media veteran and former leader at Dstv Media Sales—has founded an ad sales and media consultancy agency. Their combined experience and intimate knowledge of the African continent have been instrumental in the development of their own Advertising Sales House. This enterprise represents media platforms and offers unique opportunities to clients across the territory, managing all aspects of the media business with unparalleled proficiency.

Deborah and Cheryl’s extensive travels and hands-on work across Africa reflect their passion for the continent and their commitment to fostering growth and opportunities. Their vast network and deep understanding of the market have been the driving force behind their successful business expansion throughout the region. As visionaries in their field, they continue to inspire innovation and progress in the African broadcasting and media consultancy landscape.