African Footprint
An Expanding Continental Network
In February 2014, 12 exclusive affiliates entered new partner agreements to use the Burson-Marsteller name, strengthening coordinated delivery across the region.
As of November 2014, Burson-Marsteller operated in 29 of the 53 countries on the African continent, with additional partner offices extending reach across EMEA.
As a leading global public relations and communications firm with a strong African footprint, Burson-Marsteller’s Johannesburg headquarters serves as the strategic nerve center for the continent. From this hub, the firm orchestrates integrated communications campaigns that draw on deep local insight and global best practices. The South African office is complemented by a growing network of owned offices and exclusive affiliates across key markets, ensuring clients benefit from coordinated counsel that respects regional nuances while maintaining a unified strategic direction across borders.
The firm’s presence in Kampala, Uganda, launched through its Brainchild subsidiary, represents a deliberate expansion into East Africa, a region of increasing economic dynamism and opportunity. This office extends the network’s ability to deliver high-stakes reputation management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic counsel to clients operating in emerging and frontier markets. By combining international standards with on-the-ground expertise, the Kampala team helps organizations navigate complex regulatory and cultural landscapes while building meaningful connections with local audiences.
Beyond its owned offices, Burson-Marsteller’s African footprint is reinforced by a carefully selected network of affiliate partners who operate under the Burson-Marsteller name. This model allows the firm to offer clients seamless coverage across dozens of markets on the continent without compromising on quality or consistency of service. Each affiliate is chosen for its proven track record in public relations and communications, ensuring that whether a client needs support in West, East, or Southern Africa, they receive the same strategic rigor and professional standards that define the brand globally.
