Maja Pawinska Sims 28 Apr 2022 // 3:55PM GMT
JOHANNESBURG — Razor Public Relations has opened its second office in South Africa, appointing Liesl Williams as managing partner of its new operation in Cape Town.
Williams joins Razor from Engage BCW in Nairobi, where she was strategy partner. She previously led the team at Atmosphere Johannesburg and was deputy managing director of Ogilvy PR.
In her new role, Williams will join Razor’s executive committee and will be responsible for the management and growth of the Cape Town office, reporting to the agency’s partner and managing director Dustin Chick.
Chick launched Razor in Johannesburg in 2020 after joining M&C Saatchi South Africa from Ogilvy, and the agency was named as PRovoke Media’s global best new consultancy in 2021. He said: “When we launched Razor, we made a very clear commitment – to be a better place for our people and our clients. Leading with values is core to this because we believe these are the ultimate catalyst for the impact we create, and as we continue to grow, we know we need a leader in our Cape Town team who lives this to the core.
“In achieving this we have invested in senior strategy and creative talent that are invested inside our clients’ business. We speak of our partners not as coaches shouting from the sidelines, but as experienced and senior players on the field doing the work. Liesl very much aligns with this at every level.”
Williams added: “I’ve watched the growth and evolution of Razor as a very modern communications agency over the last two years and I am over the moon about playing a part in bringing this to life more significantly in Cape Town.”
At M&C Saatchi, South Africa group CEO Mike Abel said: “Razor continues to change the game in true strategic communications. Not just work that’s strategically and creatively sharp – but work that works and that delivers business results. The addition of Liesl to this already strong and diverse leadership team will undoubtedly create further impact on the clients Razor works with and the wonderful people who make up the Razor team.”