Pan African Body Hires Former SAARF CEO Paul Haupt

The Pan African Media Research Organisation (PAMRO) has appointed former SAARF CEO Dr Paul Haupt as its first-ever Executive Director.

SAARF (the South African Audience Research Foundation) has until now provided the administration team for PAMRO, which says its long-term vision is to establish joint-industry committees across Africa to provide clients with a single platform for reading and comparing media audience research data. At present, it aims to provide an industry forum for idea exchange and best practice, and to create a continental media research database. The latter involves PAMRO collecting information about the behaviour of Africans, with a particular focus on media and product usage.

In a statement, the organisation said it has now reached the stage when it requires the 'dedicated attention' of its own executive director. Haupt (pictured), who has served as CEO of SAARF for nearly sixteen years and is currently its Executive Director, will take up his new role on 1st April. He will initially organise the annual PAMRO conference and AGM, liaise with PAMRO country leaders, and focus on developing membership benefits. In addition, he will be tasked with rolling out the PAMRO service in Arab-speaking countries across Africa.

PAMRO President Josiah Kimanzi commented: 'Haupt's new role is not a full-time post, but is nonetheless an important step. We are excited about Dr Haupt's appointment because we believe that someone with his pedigree, audience research acumen and immense wealth of experience will greatly accelerate PAMRO's agenda.'

In November, SAARF announced that it had appointed Ettiene van den Berg as interim CEO.

Web site: www.pamro.org .