Maria

Adediran

Senior Account Director,

Wimbart

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Maria is integral to the Senior Leadership Team, leading strategic PR campaigns for various African tech firms, from startups to Unicorns.

Maria is a founding member of Wimbart, a public relations agency focusing on Africa and emerging markets. With extensive experience in consumer and corporate PR, she specializes in African entertainment and technology sectors.

As Wimbart’s Senior Account Director, Maria is integral to the Senior Leadership Team, leading strategic PR campaigns for various African tech firms, from startups to Unicorns. Her portfolio includes Andela, M-KOPA, CAIF, Moove, and Kobo360, overseeing client counsel, strategic planning, and messaging.

Her expertise spans communications strategies, crisis management, social media campaigns, audience development, and event management. Maria excels in cross-functional, international teams.

Additionally, Maria is an advisory board member for The Xec. Allstars, the alum group for The Xec. leadership scheme.

Before Wimbart, Maria started her career as a PR executive at IROKO and was a press officer at YouGov.

Q&A 

Why did you sign up to be a judge for The Pros Awards 2024?

I am passionate about recognising exceptional BME talent in our industry, which is frequently overlooked. As a long-standing supporter of BME PR Pros, I’ve witnessed projects consistently transform the landscape. Judging for The Pros Awards allows me to contribute to spotlighting outstanding BME professionals, which I was privileged to do last year. It’s an honour to be part of this vital change because [In Elizabeth’s voice…] DIVERSITY MATTERS! 

[Ed.: Yes! Scream it out! :-)]

 

What Insta/Twitter(X)/Tik Tok account should every comms pro follow and why?

Munya Chawawa…all day, every day, on every platform!!! Need I say more? Anyone who can address tough, political topics in such a humorous way…

What was your favourite PR/comms story from 2023 and why?
At the 2023 Super Bowl, Fenty Beauty’s showcase, led by Rihanna, marked a significant PR milestone. This event blended influential brand promotion with a major global platform, leveraging Rihanna’s status as both a celebrated artist and a trailblazing Black female entrepreneur. It highlighted the increasing visibility and influence of Black women in business and entertainment, offering a powerful example of entrepreneurial success and cultural representation in the beauty industry and beyond.

As before we’ve got a great DJ booked for The Pros Awards awards ceremony in July – what’s your dancefloor-filler request?

Afrobeats pleaseeeeeeeeeeee