ONE of the world’s leading advertising agencies, the Jupiter Drawing Room (South Africa), has partnered with a local agency, Jericho Advertising, to form the Jupiter Drawing Room (Zimbabwe). Speaking at the launch of the Jupiter Drawing Room (Zimbabwe), Jupiter Drawing Room (South Africa) founder and chairman Mr Graham Warsop said he had confidence in investing in the country.

“There is growing international perception that Zimbabwe is among the top African countries showing significant growth potential,” he said.

The new local agency would harness indigenous creative talent and entrepreneurship, he said.Speaking at the launch, Jericho Advertising chief executive officer Mr Denford Magora, who will be Jupiter Drawing Room (Zimbabwe) chief executive, said the introduction of the Jupiter Drawing Room brand into the country was a vote of confidence for Zimbabwe.

“This vindicates our belief in this country and its potential to be a world force in creative advertising. It is especially telling that the Jupiter Drawing Room, which is a sought-after brand in New York, Singapore, London and Europe, would choose to open its very first office outside of South Africa in Zimbabwe,” he said.

The new agency will be 70 percent owned by locals while Jupiter Drawing Room (South Africa) will own 30 percent. Jupiter Drawing Room (Zimbabwe) will take the lead in expanding the agency’s business within six countries in the South East African region.

The Jupiter Drawing Room South Africa has won a number of regional and international accolades, and is currently ranked in the Top 5 Most Creative Agencies in the world.

Some of the top brands currently under the Jupiter Drawing Room (South Africa)’s stewardship are ABSA, MTN, Castle Lite, Bordman, Discom, Just Juice, Minute Maid, PPC Cement, American Swiss, Hyundai, OMO and Sanlam, among others.

On the other hand, Jericho Advertising handles advertising for such corporations in Zimbabwe as Old Mutual, Toyota Zimbabwe, Nando’s, Schweppes Zimbabwe, Western Union, African Sun and South African Airways among others.

Apart from Mr Magora, the Jupiter Drawing Room (Zimbabwe) management includes Ms Nancy Ziyambi, the managing director of the new company.

She is a seasoned marketer who has worked for a number of advertising agencies, as well as being sales and marketing director for the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation.