HARARE A leading Zimbabwean advertising agency owned by President
Industry sources said Imago Advertising has not operated since the
beginning of the year due to huge debts accumulated since the
ill-fated campaign to portray a positive image of the ageing
Zimbabwean leader and his Zanu (PF) party.
The company is owed millions of American dollars from Zanu (PF) for
running the partys March 2008 campaign and was heavily involved in
Mugabes controversial run-off campaign in June of the same year, a
former employee told The Zimbabwean On Sunday last week.
The companys chief executive and majority shareholder Sharon Mugabe
was credited with developing Mugabe’s campaign and providing “a velvet
glove over the iron fist”.
Imago was heavily involved in the run-off campaign and was believed to
have advised the Zanu (PF)-controlled Zimbabwe Broadcasting
Corporation to ban the television campaign by the former opposition
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai.
The advertising firm ran Mugabes TV, radio and banners advertisements
that e littered almost every piece of land in Zimbabwe.
The controversial TV ad which showed images of Western leaders such as
George Bush, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown superimposed on Tsvangirai
was believed to have been Imagos idea.
The partnership began in 2005 when Sharon Mugabe with Zanu (PF) money
acquired a controlling stake in what was then Michael Hogg Young and
Rubicam at that time ending speculation of who was taking over the
largest communication firm in Zimbabwe.
Sharon Mugabe is believed to be President Mugabes niece, daughter of
Albert Mugabe, the Presidents brother who was killed by Zimbabwe’s
secret service for sleeping with Mugabes late wife Sally.
Post published in: News