The tough economic situation in the country is not only affecting large companies but also small and medium enterprises that depend on the large firms. The usual remedy for loss of business in most firms is cost cutting that unfortunately comes with laying off of staff.
We have learnt Moringa360, one of the leading advertising agencies in the country has fired a number of staff in key positions as the Bugolobi-based company formerly known as Moringa Ogilvy tries to come to terms with the loss of major client accounts.
“Due to the loss of a couple of key clients over the course of the very tough 2016, the agency has had to restructure leading to the loss of certain roles. It is the nature of our business that the loss of a client will be followed by the need to review certain roles that were delivering solutions,” said Peter Magona, Moringa360’s Managing Director in a statement released by the firm after we contacted them.
Ironically, although the statement was signed off by Magona, our sources say his name is on the list of those that have been shown the door.
“It is important to note that we retain a full complement of staff including our award-winning creative director to continue providing creative solutions to our current clients and continue to actively look for new business,” Magona said.
Sources told us that the firm had to downsize following the loss of major clients including Umeme and DFCU Bank. Aggrey & Clifford, another advertising agency, had earlier eaten into Moringa’s cash cow when they acquired the premium brands of their major client Nile Breweries Ltd. Moringa retains the mass market brands like Nile Special and Club Pilsener.
However, the brewers have reportedly been jittery with Moringa after the negative PR surrounding the Club Music Video Awards that are slated for this March. The negative publicity emanated from musicians like Bebe Cool, Sheebah and top video director Sasha Vybz pulling out of the awards in a way that Nile Breweries felt put their company in disrepute after Moringa failed to ably manage the crisis.
Moringa started off as a two-people team in a studio in 1995 and has since grown to become one of the leading advertising and PR agencies in the country.
Staff who have been laid off
Peter Magona – Managing Director
Fiona Tamale – PR and Events Director
Edward Namasenda – Creative
Peter Njoroge – Script writer
Lucky Atwine – Production manager
Brian Ankunda – Account Executive
Drucila Magezi Ndawula – Account Director
Jackie Nambusi – Creative