Simon Camerer, the man who “appointed” comedian Trevor Noah as Cell C’s CEO (“chief experience officer”) and who led the makeover of the cellular operator’s brand, is set to take the top sales and marketing job at DStv operator MultiChoice on 1 February.

Camerer resigned as Cell C’s marketing director at the end of last year after seven years in the position. He hinted at the time of his departure that a restructuring at Cell C, led by former acting CEO Simon Duffy, played a role in his decision.

He is expected to replace MultiChoice’s current sales and marketing director, Graham Pfuhl, who is set to retire from the pay-TV operator.

MultiChoice GM of corporate affairs Jackie Rakitla confirms that Pfuhl has reached retirement age but won’t comment on whether Camerer, who also declines to comment on market talk about his appointment, will be named as his successor. Rakitla says the company will issue a statement later this week.

Working with former Cell C CEO Lars Reichelt, Camerer is credited with leading the successful rebranding of Cell C after it launched its third-generation mobile network in 2010. The cheeky campaigns flighted by the operator got it into trouble on a number of occasions after rivals took exception and lodged complaints with the Advertising Standards Authority.

Vodacom, in particular, was incensed by a campaign featuring Trevor Noah in which Cell C took the mickey out of the operator’s rebranding to the red of its parent Vodafone. — Duncan McLeod, TechCentral