Dentsu Kenya Unveils Second Cohort of School of Influence Programme
Dentsu Kenya places its confidence in a future which will define influence through genuine audience connections rather than visibility during the second cohort’s training.
Dentsu Kenya executives during a panel session at the launch of the second cohort of the School of Influence on March 24, 2026. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Dentsu Kenya has officially introduced the second group of participants in its School of Influence programme, marking another step in its efforts to support and grow Kenya’s rapidly expanding creator economy.
Bridging the Gap Between Creators and Brands
The launch event, held on Tuesday evening at a hotel in Nairobi, brought together a mix of industry stakeholders, digital content creators, and aspiring influencers. The organisers described the programme as a key link between brands and creators, especially at a time when the digital space is becoming more competitive and demanding.
Co-CEO Samantha Kipury explained that the initiative was created to address a market need that she had identified during her presentation to the audience. She pointed out that many young creatives often find it difficult to access brand partnerships or generate income from their content despite having talent and potential. The programme trains influencers while also creating pathways to actual business opportunities that will help them achieve financial growth.
Focus on Strategy, Authenticity and Growth
The School of Influence aims to nurture a new wave of creators who are not only creative but also strategic authentic and culturally relevant. This trend emerges because both audiences and brands now prefer to assess genuine engagement through meaningful connections instead of counting followers and likes.
The newly launched cohort builds on the achievements of the first group that graduated in 2025. That inaugural class consisted of 40 young creatives who went on to secure multiple brand partnerships after completing the programme. Their success demonstrated the potential impact of structured mentorship and direct exposure to industry opportunities.
Building on the Success of the First Cohort
The first cohort received backing from several major brands including NCBA Diamond Trust Bank L’Oréal HMD Global and East African Breweries Limited. Their involvement highlighted how corporations increasingly view influencer marketing as an effective method to connect with and engage their target audiences.
Dentsu uses the programme as a tool to establish greater organization and professional standards within the influencer field according to their strategic objectives. The participants learn content planning ethical practices audience engagement methods and platform monetization techniques. The participants develop their skills through practical work with established brands.
Creating a Structured Ecosystem for Creators
Co-CEO Joel Rao also spoke at the launch emphasizing that the programme is more than just a training initiative. He described the ecosystem as a well-designed system which provides creators with both direction and purpose while creating a clearer path towards success in the digital space. He further noted that emerging technologies particularly artificial intelligence are expected to play an important role in shaping the future of digital influence. The technologies will not replace human creativity instead they will improve human creative abilities.
The School of Influence arrives in Kenya’s growing digital landscape at an essential moment. Young people discover new career paths through influencer culture which has transformed into both a self-expression method and an economic opportunity.
About Author
