VML South Africa has announced a refreshed executive team with Danelle Stiles appointed as Chief Operating Officer and Insaaf Khan as Chief Client Officer. Both long-time leaders will guide the agency through post-merger transformation and AI-driven change, focusing on innovation, client relationships, and operational excellence under CEO Jarred Cinman’s leadership.
In a bold step signalling a new era of leadership and creative reinvention, VML South Africa has unveiled its refreshed executive committee featuring two key appointments — Danelle Stiles as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Insaaf Khan as Chief Client Officer (CCO). Both women are long-standing leaders within the agency and bring with them a deep understanding of VML’s culture, clients, and evolving creative mission.
The appointments come at a defining moment for VML, which has undergone a major transformation following a series of mergers that reshaped the global agency landscape. Over the past two years, Wunderman Thompson merged with VMLY&R, followed by integrations with Grey and The Hardy Boys — a process that has required significant reorganization and renewed vision.
As the dust settles on this complex consolidation, the new leadership lineup reflects VML’s commitment to stability, innovation, and a people-first culture. Both Stiles and Khan have been at the heart of the agency’s success for years, shaping client relationships and guiding teams through change.
VML South Africa CEO Jarred Cinman expressed confidence in the appointments, describing both leaders as “the right people at the right time” to guide the agency into the post-AI era.
“Danelle is one of the strongest, smartest and most resilient people I know,” said Cinman. “She and I have partnered closely for two decades on the various iterations of this business, and I know better than most the dedication and experience she will bring to this role.”
On Khan’s appointment, Cinman added, “Insaaf brings a wealth of experience building powerful relationships with clients. There is no-one I know who cares more and who works harder to give clients a Michelin star experience. Apart from anything else, Insaaf is one of my trusted, long-time partners, and it’s such a privilege to have her on my team.”
Danelle Stiles: From co-founder to COO
Taking over the COO role from fellow co-founder Diane Wilson, Danelle Stiles has been a central figure in the VML South Africa story since its inception. Known for her strategic acumen and steady leadership, she has steered numerous successful campaigns, including high-impact work for Vodacom, one of the agency’s landmark accounts.
Most recently serving as Group Managing Director, Stiles has played a critical role in maintaining operational excellence through VML’s merger transitions. Her promotion to COO marks a continuation of that trajectory — a testament to her track record in navigating change while keeping creativity and client satisfaction at the forefront.
Reflecting on her new role, Stiles said she’s both proud and energised by the timing of her appointment. “This is an exciting new chapter for me, and it comes at a pivotal time for VML,” she said. “My focus is simple: to make sure our clients experience the very best of what we can do. We’re entering an era where AI will transform how we work, and I’m excited to face that future alongside the talented people who make VML what it is.”
Her remarks underscore VML’s current mission — to integrate technology and creativity in ways that not only respond to the industry’s AI-driven evolution but also set new standards in client partnership and delivery.
Insaaf Khan: Leading with relationships
Meanwhile, Insaaf Khan steps into the newly defined role of Chief Client Officer, after serving as Chief Growth Officer, where she led new business development with remarkable success. Her strength lies in relationship-building — creating trust and alignment between clients and the agency while fostering a culture of accountability and excellence.
In her new position, Khan will focus on deepening engagement with existing clients, ensuring they fully experience VML’s expanded creative, digital, and strategic capabilities.
“What excites me most is being closer to the work, the teams, and the clients – on the ground, where impact truly happens,” Khan said. “We’re in a moment where clients are asking for less talk and more traction, and I’m energised by the opportunity to shape how VML shows up every day for our partners, to elevate the standard of our craft, and to build trust through performance. When our clients grow, so do we.”
Khan’s vision reflects the growing industry demand for impact over impression — a philosophy increasingly relevant in an age where AI and data-driven insights are redefining creative effectiveness.
Navigating the post-AI agency era
VML’s leadership changes come at a time when advertising and marketing agencies worldwide are rethinking their models in the face of artificial intelligence, automation, and changing consumer behaviour. AI is rapidly transforming not just how campaigns are executed but also how creativity itself is conceived — blending human insight with algorithmic precision.
For VML, this moment presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The mergers that brought together legacy powerhouses like Wunderman Thompson, VMLY&R, Grey, and The Hardy Boys have positioned the agency as a multi-dimensional force in brand experience, creativity, and technology. However, they also demand strong leadership to integrate diverse cultures and operational systems into a cohesive, forward-looking entity.
With Stiles and Khan stepping into their new roles, the agency is signalling confidence in its ability to evolve with purpose. Their combination of strategic leadership, operational mastery, and client empathy is expected to drive VML’s next phase of growth in South Africa — one built on collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity.
Building continuity through change
VML’s global transformation has been one of the most ambitious restructuring efforts in the creative industry in recent years. In South Africa, the agency’s ability to remain resilient and relevant has depended on steady hands at the helm — leaders who understand both the local market and the global network’s vision.
Both Stiles and Khan embody that continuity. Their journeys within VML — from early leadership roles to now defining the agency’s future direction — highlight the company’s commitment to developing internal talent and promoting from within.
By elevating two long-standing members of its leadership team, VML is also making a statement about the importance of women in leadership within the creative industry, where gender diversity remains an ongoing conversation. Their appointments reinforce the agency’s broader push toward inclusivity, representation, and leadership grounded in empathy and authenticity.
Setting the stage for growth
As VML South Africa continues to align its operations with the global network’s reinvention strategy, the dual appointments mark a fresh beginning. Both leaders are expected to play a crucial role in shaping how the agency approaches creativity, technology, and partnership in the coming years.
In Cinman’s words, the appointments are not just about filling leadership positions — they are about “building a future-ready agency that combines the best of people, purpose, and performance.”
With Danelle Stiles steering operations and Insaaf Khan deepening client relationships, VML South Africa appears well-poised to navigate its transformation journey. Their combined leadership offers a balance of experience and innovation — a blend perfectly suited to an industry on the brink of redefinition.
As the agency embraces a future shaped by AI, integrated creativity, and human-centred strategy, its new exco signals both confidence and continuity — proof that, even amid change, the essence of leadership lies in trust, collaboration, and vision.
