Vilakazi joins The MediaShop from her previous roles as GM of marketing where she headed up Absa's investment, wealth, financial advisers and insurance marketing portfolios and formerly from Old Mutual as the head of retail marketing, based in Cape Town.

Vilakazi has over 20 years of experience in positions as head of marketing for corporate listed entities and in advertising, media and communication agencies in leadership positions based in Nigeria, internationally and in South Africa.

"Vilakazi has proved herself extremely capable in all areas of leading a team, in delivering transformation and in pioneering innovative ways of growing every business she’s worked with," Botha says.

"There were some great candidates available for the position and we thank them for putting themselves forward, but we believe that she has the correct ability, passion and drive to elevate the Johannesburg team," adds Botha.

Vilakazi has delivered transformation in corporate strategy initiations, customer centricity, brand building and digitalisation services for sectors in the financial services, FMCG, telecoms, quick service restaurants, retail and beverage categories. 

"I am honoured to join and lead a legendary media institution that has embraced distinction and merit in this industry especially during these intricate episodes in the communication industry. The MediaShop has accomplished and delivered extraordinary standards of strategy and service to their faculty of significant brands in South Africa," she says.

"I believe The MediaShop has tremendous opportunities to capitalise on this established repute and has the correct foundation to innovate for the future and grow its ecosystem," she adds. "It is hugely empowering to be leading a prominent team that spans years of superior media excellence."

"The agency's collective knowledge will support me in providing more capabilities that will propagate this business, the communications industry and our well-regarded list of clients to ultimately sustain, innovate and grow their businesses," she concludes. 

For more information, visit www.mediashop.co.za. You can also follow The MediaShop on Facebook or on Twitter.