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Christopher Madison has stepped down as dentsu Kenya Chief Executive Officer to move back to the USA with his family.

In a statement, the company said transformative growth, innovative campaigns, and an unwavering commitment to client success have marked Madison’s tenure.

“The dentsu Kenya team extends heartfelt gratitude for his exceptional leadership and outstanding contributions and wishes him all the best as he embarks on this new chapter,” the company said.

In his place, dentsu Kenya has announced the appointment of Samantha Kipury and Joel Rao as co-CEOs.

“At dentsu Kenya, leadership is no longer about a single individual at the helm—it’s about collaboration, shared vision, and leveraging complementary strengths to drive impact and innovation,” said Samantha Kipury.

“This milestone represents not just a leadership evolution, but a reimagination of how we deliver value to our clients, empower our people, and shape the future of our industry.”

The company says the co-CEO model is a deliberate, strategic choice designed to address the complex demands of the fast-evolving business environment.

Joel Rao, with his expertise in Digital and CXM (Customer Experience Management), will lead transformative, customer-first solutions powered by cutting-edge technology and insights.

denstu says Samantha’s knowledge of media will be instrumental in shaping groundbreaking strategies and delivering transformative outcomes. She will drive Strategy and Media, focusing on operational excellence, creativity and strategic partnerships that create long-term value.

“Having worked closely with Samantha over the years, I deeply admire her visionary thinking and unwavering commitment to excellence,” said Joel Rao.

“Together, we are not just dividing responsibilities – we are amplifying outcomes. This partnership underscores our shared commitment to innovation, continuity, and client-centric leadership.”

Joel and Samantha are committed to four strategic priorities which include driving innovation, ensuring continuity and stability, empowering people and delivering client value.

“This is an exciting time for dentsu Kenya,” Samantha added. “We are honoured to lead an organization that has been a trailblazer in shaping the marketing and media landscape. To our valued clients, stakeholders, and partners – you remain at the centre of everything we do. Together, we will unlock new possibilities and define the future of the industry.”