About
African Grey
Your Trusted Partner for Game-Changing Insights
With deep global experience and a passion for Africa, we deliver very effective research that transforms brands.
01Why African Grey
Why Clients Choose African Grey
Proven in Practice
We've helped clients grasp market dynamics, optimised propositions, launched brands, revived campaigns and saved their budgets by spotting weak ideas early.
Deep Expertise from FMCG to Technology.
A Proven Record of Strengthening Brands and Campaigns.
African Expertise with Local and Global Relevance.
Client-Centred, Flexible and Aligned with Your Vision.
02Founder
30+ Years’ Experience of Growing Brands
Emil Brune
Founder
Emil is an expert at helping teams grasp the practical implications of research data and insight. His experience spans advertising agencies, brand companies and consultancies.
His primary interest is using research as a tool for better decision-making, selecting the best methodologies to achieve each project’s objectives.
Skilled in identifying opportunities and driving brand growth across multiple geographies, Emil led global thinking at Diageo on consumer segmentation, portfolio planning, opportunity identification and consumer and shopper trends. He specialised in bringing consumers to life so that marketing and sales teams could generate additional sales and build stronger commercial relationships.
Guiding philosophy
“Get thinking straight before moving to action.”
Career Path
01Advertising
A foundation in designing and executing brand campaigns across the full spectrum of media.
02MBA
Studied at UCT’s Graduate School of Business to understand brands holistically in their corporate, commercial and competitive context.
03Diageo
Fourteen years of global brand experience across local, regional, global and best-practice insight roles.
04Sloan MSc
Refreshed his thinking with London Business School’s Sloan MSc in Leadership and Strategy.
05African Grey
A consultancy delivering optimal research solutions around the world, with a deep specialism in making Africa simpler for clients.
Category Experience
- Alcoholic beverages
- Beer, Bitters, RTDs, Spirits
- Apparel
- Outdoor, Sporting
- Automotive
- Cars, Fuel, Lubricants, Tyres
- Beauty and personal care
- Cosmetics, Feminine hygiene, Oral care, Skincare
- Energy
- Clean cooking, Solar
- Financial services
- Buy now pay later, Cryptocurrency, Digital banking, Insurance, Investments, Pensions
- Food
- Dairy products, Lab-grown meat, Pilchards, Plant-based products
- Nicotine
- Tobacco, Vaping
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Cocoa-based beverages, Coffee, CSDs, Dairy, Malt, Water
- Online
- Search, Social media
- Retail
- Department stores, Home furnishings, Last-mile delivery
- Technology
- Mobile networks, SaaS, SIM cards
03The name
Why African Grey?
Named after the sharp-witted African Grey parrot, we're curious, precise and always ready to uncover the truth behind your challenges.
05Next
African Grey
Let’s Look at the Question Together
Share the decision, market or audience you are working through. We will help shape the right route to an answer.
Or email us directly
enquiries@africangrey.co
04/Social impact
Research That Makes a Difference
At African Grey, we believe great research should do more than inform – it should uplift. That’s why we donate 10% of every project’s net profits to impactful causes in the markets we serve.
Together, we’re building a better future, one insight at a time.