Corporate Communication Executive to Lead APCO in Africa

Johannesburg (September 8, 2008) – Noma Faku, former chief communications officer for Old Mutual South Africa, joins APCO Worldwide as managing director of its Johannesburg office, Brad Staples, chief executive officer of APCO’s Europe, Middle East and Africa region, announced today. Faku returns to APCO after serving as a director in its Africa office last year.

“We are enthusiastic to have Noma rejoin our Johannesburg office in this leadership role. She has considerable experience managing complex communication and public affairs assignments for leading companies across the continent as well as in her home country,” said Staples.

Faku has 15 years of experience in the development and successful implementation of communication strategies; working with media owners and multinationals in the fast moving consumer goods sector. Her expertise includes corporate positioning, reputation management, crisis communication, as well as government and media relations. Some of her previous corporate communication experience includes five years as director of corporate affairs with JT International and a further five years as communication manager at Unilever in South Africa.

“APCO continues to be a key resource for clients who face communication and business strategy challenges. I look forward to contributing to the APCO team and bringing to clients the knowledge I have gained through recent experiences,” said Faku.

Much of APCO’s current work in Africa revolves around stakeholder engagement activities, positioning and reputation management for international clients in-country. APCO in Africa is headquartered in the business hub of sub-Saharan Africa in Sandton, Johannesburg, and assists clients with interests across the region.

About APCO Worldwide

Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an independently owned global communication consultancy with offices in major cities throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. APCO was named 2007 PR Agency of the Year by PRNews; 2006 Agency of the Year by PRWeek; 2007, 2006 and 2005 European Consultancy of the Year by Public Affairs News; and 2004 Public Affairs Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report. Clients include corporations, governments, industry associations and nonprofit organizations. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO includes among its clients seven of the top 10 companies on Fortune’s Global 500. Core services include corporate, investor and internal communication; crisis management; issue management; government relations; litigation communication; media relations; coalition building; opinion research; market entry; corporate responsibility; and online communication. APCO is a majority women-owned business. For more information, please visit www.apcoworldwide.com.

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Contacts:
Kayleigh Ross
+44.207.526.3605
kross@apcoworldwide.com

Sarah Smith Goins
+1.202.778.1260
sgoins@apcoworldwide.com