PinkDrive Appoints Publicis Groupe Africa CEO as Executive Board Member

PinkDrive NPC, South Africa's cancer screening and awareness group, has announced the appointment of Koo Govender, CEO of Publicis Groupe Africa, as an executive member of its board.

"I feel extremely privileged to have been invited to play a significant role at PinkDrive NPC," goes on to say. "I have always believed in this organisation as it addresses the cancer crises in South Africa in new and inspiring ways."

PinkDrive claims that by providing a mobile solution to address the chronic healthcare inaccessibility in communities across the country, it is allowing treatable malignancies to be diagnosed and treated on time, helping to prolong and even save the lives of many South Africans.

According to PinkDrive, this latest board appointment is part of PinkDrive's ongoing plan to encourage key partnerships between the corporate, government and civil sectors to create a comprehensive strategy to address the healthcare inequality in the non-communicable disease area of the public health system.

In her new role, Koo will drive a key focus on creating impact in the communities in which PinkDrive operates as a non-profit organisation, says PinkDrive.

The organisation adds that Publicis Group Africa (PGA) has also committed to supporting PinkDrive by providing pro-bono advertising campaigns and media engagement to create awareness and spread valuable messaging and information.

PGA is part of the leading global communications and advertising Publicis Groupe, which is currently the second-largest communications group in the world, with over 100,000 talented minds in over 100 countries.

Koo's inspiring career trajectory and growth have ranged from communications director at Mnet to becoming the first female CEO at VWV group's experiential agency. This was followed by her role as CEO of Dentsu SA and now, most recently, taking over the reins as the first female CEO of Publicis Groupe Africa. These roles have led her to become the industry icon she is today, says PinkDrive. 

The organisation adds that Koo's vast knowledge and experience have culminated in her being a judge on all major creative industry award panels, such as Canne Lions, Loeries, AdFocus, ProMax India, Asia, Australia, and Africa Awards.

Her passion for people and creativity has led Koo to sit on multiple industry and NGO boards, now adding PinkDrive to the list, adds the organisation. 

Noelene Kotschan, CEO and founder of PinkDrive NPC concludes, "Koo's long history of leadership, coupled with her experience in the advertising industry, makes her an ideal person for the role. I look forward to working closely with Koo to continue to ensure PinkDrive remains on the forefront of gender-related cancer screening and awareness to indigent communities in South Africa."