Charles Berley Jenarius quits Rediff, Delhi; joins Globacom, Nigeria

Charles Berley Jenarius, who was senior vice-president, Rediffusion, joins Globacom, Nigeria's second national telecommunications operator

Charles Berley Jenarius, who was senior vice-president, Rediffusion, joins Globacom, Nigeria's second national telecommunications operator. He takes over as director, in charge of communication and corporate affairs. "I was born in Africa; so this job gives me a chance to go back there," 45-year old Jenarius told agencyfaqs! while talking about his new posting at Lagos.

After spending close to 19 years in Indian advertising, this decision to quit advertising and move base to Africa seems a bit sudden. Jenarius thinks otherwise. "My new assignment is also about communication, though the scale, size and challenge would be very different," he explains. "What makes this assignment so exciting is the fact that I would be operating in a different country, with a very different culture."

Jenarius will have little problem adjusting. He has been both on the marketing and the advertising side of the table, having worked with companies like MRF Tyres and top Indian agencies like O&M, McCann-Erickson and RKSwamy/BBDO, besides Rediffusion.

In his new role Jenarius would be looking after the entire communication need of the group, which has interests in petrochemicals, banking and telecommunication. As Jenarius puts it, "If indeed we can draw a parallel, Globacom would be the Reliance of Africa." "Though," he adds, "I have to find out more about the group and my role once I assume office."

Jenarius can brace himself for an exciting time ahead. As reports on the net suggest, the mobile telecommunications industry in the phone-starved country looks set to square up to the challenges the next phase would bring.

Globacom, which won the second network operator (SNO) licence in Nigeria last year, has unfolded a lofty plan to offer innovative services to Nigerians. Accordingly, earlier this year, the SNO awarded a major contract to Paris-based telecommunications company Alcatel to roll out lines. The contract involves an initial order of 675 million euros (about N89.26 billion), for the supply of a nationwide turnkey mobile and fixed telecommunications network in Nigeria. This would enable Globacom to offer a combination of fixed and mobile voice data services to over two million subscribers for both domestic and international services.

As Jenerius takes on this "new challenge", what remains to be seen is who fills up the gap left by him in Rediffusion's Delhi office. © 2003 agencyfaqs!