MTN South Africa’s chief marketing officer, Brian Gouldie, has been appointed as the new CEO of one of the operating companies within the MTN Group. The identity of the country has not been disclosed.
Larry Annetts, the current chief marketing officer of MTN Nigeria, will replace Gouldie.
“MTN South Africa has a strong leadership succession pool due to our significant investment in building a sustainable supply of quality leaders. MTN is confident that Gouldie will make a meaningful contribution as a CEO,” says Zunaid Bulbulia, CEO of MTN South Africa.
In the 10 months since his appointment in August 2013, Gouldie has been responsible for redefining the competitive position of MTN South Africa. He has launched prepaid and postpaid converged products, with the most recent being the 79 cents voice and data offerings.
These have been instrumental in reaffirming customer affinity in the South African market. He also spearheaded the delivery of the financial services portfolio, MTN Mobile Money, and launched the industry’s first Internet service bundles and radio streaming proposition.
Bulbulia adds: “Brian played a key role in re-positioning MTN SA in the industry and implemented multiple strategic initiatives which have bolstered MTN’s role as a strong competitor. This experience, as well as the role he played in Nigeria, will serve him well in his new role.”
Larry Annetts has substantial marketing experience and has worked in the telecommunications industry for over 15 years. In his most recent role as CMO of MTN Nigeria, he established MTN as the biggest distributor of music.
“I look forward to working with Larry again – he has outstanding credentials in our industry and is coming back home to be part of the special evolution journey we are currently on,” Bulbulia says.
