Samantha Kipury, Joel Rao appointed Dentsu Kenya co-CEOs

Dentsu Kenya has announced the appointment of Samantha Kipury and Joel Rao as co-CEOs.

In a statement on Monday, the company said the new leadership model marks a new era for the organization, setting the stage for transformative growth and innovation in the marketing and customer experience landscape across Kenya and beyond.

“At dentsu Kenya, leadership is no longer about a single individual at the helm—it’s about collaboration, shared vision, and leveraging complementary strengths to drive impact and innovation,” said Kipury.

“This milestone represents not just a leadership evolution, but a reimagination of how we deliver value to our clients, empower our people, and shape the future of our industry.”

The co-CEO model is a deliberate, strategic choice designed to address the complex demands of the fast-evolving business environment, said the company.

Joel Rao, with his expertise in Digital and CXM (customer experience management), will lead transformative, customer-first solutions powered by cutting-edge technology and insights.

Dentsu hopes Samantha’s unparalleled knowledge of media will be instrumental in shaping ground-breaking strategies and delivering transformative outcomes.

She will drive strategy and media, focusing on operational excellence, creativity and strategic partnerships that create long-term value.

“Having worked closely with Samantha over the years, I deeply admire her visionary thinking and unwavering commitment to excellence,” said Rao.

“Together, we are not just dividing responsibilities - we are amplifying outcomes. This partnership underscores our shared commitment to innovation, continuity, and client-centric leadership.”