New agency to represent Nairobi tech executives

African Speakers and Artists (AS+A) agency launched in Nairobi with a line-up that includes four tech executives from the city.

AS+A assembled an impressive line-up of talent at launch including business innovators and leaders whom included the following tech executives from Nairobi:

Erik Hersman – Technologist and Founder of Ushahidi and BRCK;

Ashish Thakkar, Founder and CEO, Mara Group;

Ali Mufuruki, CEO Infotech Investment Group Ltd;

Jo Mucheru, Google Sub-Saharan Africa Ambassador & East Africa Lead.

Founder and CEO, George Issaias commented, “We are witnessing the emergence of world-class talent here in Africa at the same time as there is growing global demand for African expertise and input across a number of platforms from live events and festivals, to global media channels, and conferences. Alongside the need to match African talent with opportunities abroad, within East Africa itself, the continuing arrival of multi-national brands and the proliferation of events is creating huge demand for speakers, performers and commentators who reflect Africa’s growing confidence and pride in showcasing our home-grown talent.”

With a mission to become East Africa’s leading speaker and artist bureau by representing the region’s standout talent drawn from the ranks of entertainers, artists and business speakers across a range of industries and disciplines. The agency also lined up leading talents from other sectors. These talents include: Saba Douglas Hamilton, Conservationist and TV Presenter; Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, Founder & CEO, SoleRebels Footwear; Sauti Sol – Afro pop band (MTV Best African Act, and BET Best International Act Africa Award finalist); Bill Salanga, AKA Blinky Bill, Artist, Producer and DJ; Eric Wainana, Singer songwriter; Just a Band, a House/Funk/Disco music group and Emmanuel Jal, Musician and Political Activist.

The agency summarises demand for talent into a number of key areas: Conference and after dinner speakers; artists and entertainers for events, festivals, ceremonies, concerts and personal appearances, hospitality appearances and award show mc’ing and hosting. Alongside the talent, AS+A will also offer clients world class creation, promotion and execution of proprietary events.

George Issaias added, “Consider President Obama’s visit to Kenya next month in the context of the world’s focus on and fascination with what is being tagged our ‘African Lion economy’, and it is easy to understand why demand for African voices is growing exponentially. In my international career in event management over the last decade, universal themes have emerged which we can address from our roster of inspirational speakers and performers. Chief among these are creativity and innovation, future & technology, leadership and diversity and of course environment, conservation and development. Like many of our clients locally and internationally who are creating demand for our services, I am coming home to Kenya from an international career, and I have a passion to build a pan-African business from here.”