The challenge

Across Africa's booming digital landscape, influencer marketing was growing fast but growing messy. Brands were placing serious budgets in the hands of creators with no formal training, no framework for ethics, and no shared understanding of professional standards. The result? Inconsistent content, wasted spend, and real reputational risk.

The idea

We created dentsu School of Influence, a first-of-its-kind programme built to raise the bar across the creator economy. By equipping emerging influencers with the skills, ethics, and strategic thinking they need, we're helping brands invest in creators with confidence and creating a new class of influence that's rooted in professionalism, not just popularity.

The execution

Launched in South Africa and now rolled out across Kenya, Nigeria and Spain, the School of Influence brings together top creators, marketers and mentors to deliver a practical, future-facing curriculum. From content strategy and platform best practice to commercial readiness and compliance, the training gives students the tools to work with global brands and the credentials to stand out. The results is influence, evolved.

The result

• 250+ creators trained across four markets - and growing

• 85% of certified influencers booked on paid campaigns

• A new mode for brand-safe, talent-ready influencers marketing designed in Africa, expanding globally