Selected work
Programs that moved perception, policy and price.
A selection of mandates spanning litigation PR, corporate branding and international media — delivered for multinationals, energy majors and global philanthropic institutions across Africa.
Client: Pfizer
Defending a global pharmaceutical brand in a high-stakes Nigerian trial.
In 1996 Pfizer conducted a controversial clinical study of its experimental antibiotic, Trovan (trovafloxacin), on 200 children in Kano during a major meningitis epidemic that claimed the lives of over 12,000 children.
A decade later, the federal government and the Kano State government each filed civil and criminal lawsuits against Pfizer Inc. and Pfizer Nigeria, claiming the study was illegally and unethically conducted. The governments gained traction with a narrative that Pfizer had used Nigerian children as guinea pigs for commercial gain.
Objective
Provide litigation PR support to counter the federal and Kano State governments' narrative and ensure Pfizer's positions on the matter were effectively communicated to the public.
Our approach
A structured litigation PR strategy focused on narrative correction, stakeholder education and proactive media engagement — ensuring Pfizer's position was consistently represented across media and public discourse.
Key activities
Media interactive & enlightenment sessions
Organized media engagements with senior executives and subject-matter experts, including pharmacologists, to address misinformation and provide factual clarity.
After-court press briefings
Coordinated and moderated post-hearing press briefings, ensuring accurate interpretation and reporting of court proceedings and Pfizer's probable next steps.
Real-time media monitoring
Proactively monitored coverage and directly engaged journalists to correct misinformation and inaccurate reporting.
Third-party advocacy
Briefed an independent advocacy group of doctors, pharmacists and lawyers to educate the public on drug development, testing and licensing — putting both the governments' and Pfizer's positions in proper perspective.
Response to misinformation
Wrote rejoinders and engaged misleading reporters directly to correct erroneous publications throughout the lifecycle of the case.
Outcomes
- →Consistent visibility of Pfizer's perspective across national media
- →Shift toward more balanced, informed media coverage
- →Public discourse repositioned with expert-led, fact-based narratives
- →Renewed stakeholder negotiations within one month of engagement
- →Supported conditions that led to an eventual out-of-court settlement
Client: Renaissance Africa Energy Company
Standing up a new energy major after the Shell Nigeria onshore divestment.
Renaissance Africa Energy Company was formed following the divestment of Shell Nigeria's onshore assets, marking a significant transition in the country's energy landscape.
The acquisition brought together a consortium of leading international and indigenous Nigerian energy companies, creating a new entity tasked with managing large-scale oil and gas assets previously operated by a global major.
The transition required a new corporate identity that would retain the legacy, operational credibility and workforce confidence associated with Shell Nigeria, while establishing Renaissance as a capable, independent and forward-looking organization driven by local expertise.
Objective
Develop and launch a new corporate brand identity, position the company as a credible operator of world-class energy assets, sustain confidence among transitioning staff, and manage perception across government, host communities, media and industry — balancing legacy with a distinct, future-focused identity.
Our approach
In collaboration with internal communications, HR and media teams, we built a structured communication framework spanning brand identity, corporate narrative, internal alignment, stakeholder engagement and media rollout.
Key activities
Brand development & identity system
Designed a new identity reflecting strength, continuity and evolution — visually and narratively aligned with Shell's legacy and Renaissance's future positioning.
Corporate narrative & positioning
Developed a storytelling framework centered on competence, local capacity, sustainability and growth.
Internal & stakeholder communications
Aligned employees, partners, regulators and host communities around a single, confident narrative through the transition.
Outcomes
- →Cohesive brand identity and communication framework balancing legacy and innovation
- →Stakeholder confidence maintained across internal and external audiences during a complex transition
- →Strengthened perception of local capacity to operate large-scale energy assets
- →Positioned for long-term engagement with government, communities and industry
- →Reinforced industry confidence in a successful transition from a multinational operator to a locally led consortium
Client: Omidyar Network
Africa Leadership Network Summit — Accra, Ghana.
Omidyar Network is a philanthropic organization whose mission is to bend the arc of the digital revolution toward shared power, prosperity and possibility — investing in and collaborating with visionaries and ventures shaping the digital future.
In 2012, the firm sponsored a series of events at the Africa Leadership Network Summit in Accra to discuss the state of entrepreneurship in Africa, share results of The Monitor Report, and introduce its newly appointed Managing Director, Mr. Malik Fal.
Objective
Manage media relations for a high-level international event and position Omidyar Network as a key player in advancing African entrepreneurship, while introducing its new Managing Director to global audiences.
Our approach
A multi-market media engagement strategy ensuring strong representation from key African and international media, with strategic visibility for leadership and programme outcomes.
Key activities
Multi-market media coordination
Coordinated media participation across 6+ key markets — Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt and the United States.
International media logistics
Managed invitations, travel and on-ground logistics for international journalists.
Press briefings & leadership access
Organized and moderated press briefings and exclusive interviews with leadership.
Editorial & syndication
Developed and syndicated press releases, photography and editorial features across multiple platforms.
Real-time monitoring
Monitored and reported media coverage in real time across markets.
Outcomes
- →Broad coverage across African and international outlets
- →20+ media placements across print, digital and broadcast
- →Positioned Omidyar Network as a key voice in Africa's entrepreneurship ecosystem
- →Strong visibility for executive leadership and programme outcomes