VMLY&R is thrilled to announce the appointment of Sibonginkosi Zuma to the role of Head of People Operations, effective 1 May.
Sibonginkosi joined the company’s People Operations (HR) team as Talent Engagement Manager in November 2021 before being promoted to her current position. She brings nine years’ experience across a range of industries.
In her new role, Sibonginkosi will oversee all aspects of People Operations at the company and be in charge of developing people strategy, updating the company’s HR systems and helping the business achieve its wider goals – including driving transformation at all levels.
“I’m grateful to VMLY&R leadership for trusting me with this responsibility,” says Sibonginkosi. “I took a decision, after working for media for five years, to leave and try other industries. After a year, I could confirm that media is in my DNA and that it is my happy place – so to have the opportunity to grow in an industry that I love is very exciting for me. It means a lot to me to be at the forefront of change. The advertising industry is transforming and it’s important to me to be a role model to young African females in South Africa – especially within the advertising industry – showing that hard work does pay off and diversity and inclusion does not just end on paper.”
“We are ambitious about people,” says Jarred Cinman, co-CEO of VMLY&R SA. “That means we are constantly coming up with crazy new ideas for how to find, engage and retain our team, and Sibo is the perfect partner for this big agenda.”
Diane Wilson, the other co-CEO of the business, comments that, “Sibo will be at the forefront of our transformation and diversity agenda, helping us to keep growing a team that understands the South African market. She is an organised, focused, passionate and professional and complements our team perfectly.”
Stepping into her new role, Sibonginkosi says she’s excited to be in a position where she will be part of the decision-making and is proud to be part of a team that cares about diversity and inclusion. “I’m looking forward to impacting people’s lives in a positive manner, be it current employees, candidates or anyone that comes across VMLY&R,” she says.
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About VMLY&R
VMLY&R is a global brand and customer experience agency that harnesses creativity, technology, and culture to create connected brands. Made up of more than 11,000 employees worldwide, the agency has principal offices in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney. VMLY&R works with client partners including Absa, BAT, Colgate-Palmolive, Danone, Dell, Ford, Nando’s, New Balance, Pfizer, Vodacom and Wendy's. For more information, visit www.vmlyr.com. VMLY&R is a WPP company (NYSE: WPP).