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The Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeShort-Term Thinking in Advertising and Marketing Erodes Brand Growth: Gillian Rightford Advertising and marketing are often driven by quick wins, and campaigns are designed to spike sales or chase trends. But in doing so, brands risk losing long-term relevance and impact.In this episode of The Lead Creative, Gillian Rightford unpacks why so much work today lacks effectiveness. As MD of Adtherapy, founder of The School of Thought, and head of the Effie Awards South Africa, Gillian explains how brands can create a culture that fosters effectiveness.Key insights:Short-termism is one of the biggest threats to brand resilience.Most briefs m...2025-07-0356 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeConverting Strangers into an Engaged CommunityHow do you move from followers to a real community? In this episode, Selebogo Molefe shares how he built The Hookup Dinner, The People’s Fund, and more by focusing on trust, shared values, and consistency. We discuss building belonging, why some brands resonate while others don’t, and how to rebuild after failure.Highlights include:What brands get wrong about communityWhy consistency builds credibilityReal stories behind Skinny Sbu Socks and BATHUListen now for a grounded look at how to build something people believe in. The Lead Creat...2025-05-291h 02The Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeCrafting Iconic Stories That Influence Generations: Angus GibsonWhat makes a story iconic and lasting? In this episode of The Lead Creative, filmmaker Angus Gibson shares his journey from the genre-defining Yizo Yizo to the visually stunning Shaka Ilembe. Fresh from the edit suite of Season 2, he reflects on storytelling that dares to challenge, uplift and innovate. From painting a school red in Yizo Yizo to shooting every scene backlit in Shaka Ilembe, his process is bold, deliberate and culturally rooted. He also unpacks why failure and experimentation are essential to storytelling that truly moves people. The Lead Creative Podcast is available on...2025-04-031h 06The Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeFrom Resonance to Relevance: The Role of Culture in Marketing, Advertising and Brand GrowthMarketing and advertising have always shaped culture and influenced society. Yet, many brands today lack cultural depth, focusing more on data and short-term wins than on building lasting connections with communities.In this episode of The Lead Creative, Donald Mokgale, MD of MoyaApp, Director of Hibirism, and co-author of Introducing Hibirism: A Guide to Black Cultural Nuance, explores how brands can embed culture into their strategy rather than just referencing it.“Marketing isn’t about reinventing the wheel; it’s about understanding the human being at the centre of it.”Key topics in this...2025-03-2052 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativePeople, Purpose and Profit: Growing Brands and Empowering CommunitiesMany brands talk about purpose, but few put it into action. In this episode, Charlie Stewart, CEO of Rogerwilco, shares insights on:How B Corp Certification ensures purpose goes beyond wordsThe shift in B2B marketing toward storytelling and emotionWhy creative effectiveness matters more than short-term salesThe role of AI in marketing and where human expertise still leadsCharlie also co-authored Business-To-Business Marketing, predicting the rise of compelling B2B creativity.The Lead Creative Podcast is available on:AppleSpotifyStitcherYouTubeFollow...2025-02-2847 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeThe Science of Marketing: Sydney MbheleMarketing has evolved into a discipline that demands measurable impact and accountability.On this episode of The Lead Creative, Sydney Mbhele, the  Chief Marketing and Corporate Affairs Officer of Absa Group  discusses:Why marketing must be tied to business performance and ROI.How Absa’s Your Story Matters campaign restores customer recognition in banking.The challenge of measuring creative effectiveness in an industry driven by performance.How African creativity deserves more recognition on the global stage.The Lead Creative Podcast is available on:Ap...2025-01-3052 minListen To Your FootstepsListen To Your FootstepsMongezi Mtati, The Art of Storytelling in the Digital Age - Navigating Culture and CreativityIn this week’s episode of the Listen To Your Footsteps Podcast, Mongezi Mtati, a digital strategy pioneer and cultural storyteller, shares his inspiring journey from Vosloorus to the forefront of South Africa’s digital evolution. Mongezi reflects on his childhood dreams of being a rapper and entrepreneur, describing how he “imagined worlds outside” his reality to craft his future. He discusses his career highlights, including launching South Africa’s first blog for Brand South Africa and his love for uncovering unseen stories that shape culture. “I’m obsessed with the people behind the ideas—those who unknowingly create movements,” Mongezi shares. Th...2024-12-191h 07The Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeBalance Brand Equity and Short-Term Results in a Digital-First World: Christa KrugerConsumers avoid traditional advertising while consuming on-demand content and utilising ad-free platforms, leaving brands struggling to connect. In this episode of The Lead Creative, Christa Kruger, MD of Wavemaker South Africa, shares how brands can balance short-term results with long-term brand building. The Lead Creative Podcast is available on:AppleSpotifyStitcherYouTubeFollow us on:LinkedInFacebookXInstagramTikTok Send us mail! Support the showAudio editing and production by: Maishe RakgoaleSignup for our newsletter to get the latest updates.2024-12-0645 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeHow Challenger Brands Build Community and TrustAvashnee Moodley, Head of Marketing at OPPO South Africa, shares how challenger brands can thrive in saturated markets. She reveals the strategies that set OPPO apart in the competitive smartphone industry. Discover how the brand taps into cultural passion points like sports and creativity, forms meaningful partnerships and embraces authenticity to connect with South African audiences. The Lead Creative Podcast is available on:AppleSpotifyStitcherYouTubeFollow us on:LinkedInFacebookXInstagramTikTokSend us mail! Support the showAudio editing and production by: Maishe RakgoaleSignup fo...2024-11-2845 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeCreative Effectiveness and Strategy in a Fast-Paced Market: Margaret JohnsonIn this episode of The Lead Creative, host Mongezi Mtati engages with Margaret Johnson OBE, Group CEO of Leagas Delaney, in an insightful discussion on creative effectiveness and strategy in today’s fast-paced marketing landscape. As part of the CEO Series, they explore how agencies provide bold ideas that solve complex business problems, even as brands increasingly bring creative work in-house. Margaret explains that client relationships built on trust and empathy are essential for success, and how balancing data with creative vision is the key to effective marketing. She also discusses the rising importance of social responsibility. 2024-11-0747 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeSeth Godin: Your Brand Has A Strategy, Not An Advertising or Marketing ProblemIn this episode, the host of The Lead Creative, Mongezi Mtati talks to Seth Godin, author of This Is Strategy, about why brands mistake strategy issues for marketing and advertising problems. “It doesn’t matter how fast you’re going if you’re going in the wrong direction,” Seth reveals, challenging us to rethink how we approach brand growth.Seth Godin warns, “More followers doesn’t mean you’re more successful. People will know your work because their friends told them, not because you told them.”Key Points:Ads won’t fix a strategy probl...2024-10-2437 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeReviving a Brand by Embedding it in Culture and Reclaiming Relevance: Charl BassilCharl Bassil, the Chief Brand Officer at the BBC and former CMO of Absolut Vodka, shares insights in rebuilding a global brand by deeply embedding it in culture. Charl shares his experience in leading Absolut Vodka’s resurgence when the brand had lost its relevance. By tapping into the spirit of Africa and creating culturally resonant campaigns, Charl helped turn Absolut Vodka into a symbol of creativity, unity, and purpose. Key Insights:Discover how brands can reconnect with culture to reignite their relevance and foster long-term growth.Learn the role of brave leadership in tak...2024-10-1739 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeThe Creative Pulse Behind VW: Bridget HarpurMongezi Mtati talks to Bridget Harpur, Head of Marketing for Volkswagen South Africa (VW SA), about the secrets behind VW’s enduring cultural relevance and creative excellence. Volkswagen has long been more than a car brand; it’s a cultural icon that has remained relevant across generations, from the Golf Mk1 to bold campaigns like “Game On,” a groundbreaking Metaverse campaign that incorporated NFTs. Key Insights:How VW stays culturally relevant without chasing fleeting trendsThe role of creative excellence in maintaining brand icon statusLong-term partnerships as the secret to innovationPutting people at the centre of Volksw...2024-10-1041 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeCompelling Content for Audience Growth and Brand SponsorshipsIn this episode, Nicole Engelbrecht, creator of the True Crime South Africa podcast, shares her journey of building a loyal audience and attracting brand sponsorships. Key points include:Crafting compelling stories that resonate with both audiences and sponsors.Balancing ethical storytelling with the need for audience growth.Strategies for aligning brand partnerships with your podcast’s values.Insights from Nicole’s experience as an author and podcaster.Listen now to learn how to create content that captivates and attracts the right sponsors.The Lead Creative Podcast is available on:AppleSpotifyStitcherGoogle PodcastsYouTubeFo...2024-09-1847 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeBalancing Creativity and Brand Values in Influencer MarketingThando Gambushe, an FMCG influencer marketing lead, joins The Lead Creative to share her expertise on balancing creativity and brand values in influencer marketing. She reveals how passion-driven content and deep brand alignment create successful collaborations. Thando also explores how Gen Z is reshaping the landscape, pushing brands to adapt and evolve. Learn how to build trust, foster authentic partnerships, and avoid common missteps in the ever-changing influencer space. The Lead Creative Podcast is available on:AppleSpotifyStitcherGoogle PodcastsYouTubeFollow us on:LinkedInFacebookXInstagramTikTokSend us mail! Support the s...2024-09-1145 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeBuilding Resilient Brands Through Ethical Leadership: Bonang MohaleShould brands become more vocal on societal issues, or stay quiet until the dust settles and consumers are ready to shop again? These are some of the questions I posed to Professor Bonang Mohale, Chairman of Bidvest Limited and SBV Services. Prof. Mohale, a respected leader in business and author of Lift As You Rise and Behold The Turtle, shared his insights on this topic.Here are some key points from our conversation:Community Engagement: Businesses should hire brand managers who live within the communities they serve to ensure product and brand...2024-07-2548 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeRebuilding Brand Relevance: Nontokozo MadonselaRebuilding relevance for established brands can be a challenge. In this podcast, Nontokozo Madonsela, Group CMO of Momentum Metropolitan Holdings, explains how her team tackled this through strategic boldness, collaboration, and creativity.Collaboration with agency partners was key. Madonsela stresses the importance of inclusive agency involvement, ensuring partners understand the business context. This approach helped Momentum thrive in a competitive market.The Lead Creative Podcast is available on:AppleSpotifyStitcherGoogle PodcastsYouTubeFollow us on:LinkedInFacebookXInstagramTikTokSend us mail! Support the showAudio editing and...2024-07-1258 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeBreaking Cultural Barriers for Authentic Brand Engagement: Steve BabaekoSteve Babaeko, the award-winning CEO and founder of X3M Ideas, delves into the remarkable journey that led to his agency's historic Cannes Lions win—the first for a Nigerian and West African agency.  This conversation offers invaluable insights into breaking international barriers and setting new standards for excellence in global advertising. The Lead Creative Podcast is available on:AppleSpotifyStitcherGoogle PodcastsYouTubeFollow us on:LinkedInFacebookXInstagramTikTokSend us mail! Support the showAudio editing and production by: Maishe RakgoaleSignup for our newsletter to...2024-06-2048 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeBrave and Authentic Brand Communication Join Jessica Wheeler, Marketing Director at Nando's South Africa, as she reveals the secrets behind Nando's authentic brand communication. Learn about her transition from agency to brand, and how Nando's maintains its unique brand voice, humour and bravery in different markets.= = = = Listen to our conversation on brave advertising, where Ahmed Tilly talks about his views on how brave Nando's is and their work with the brand: https://jo.my/brave-ads= = = =  The Lead Creative Podcast is available on:AppleSpotifyStitcherGoogle PodcastsYouTubeFollow us on:LinkedInFacebookXInstagramTikTokSend us mail! ...2024-06-0747 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeThe Secret to Higher Productivity in Creative Teams: Jack Skeels:CEO of AgencyAgile Jack Skeels shares why traditional management structures are holding back creative agencies and how you can change this. The author of "Unmanaged: Master the Magic of Creating Empowered and Happy Organizations," shares ways for companies to rethink their structures and increase efficiency.Key takeaways:Flattening hierarchies and empowering individuals to self-manage can lead to better results and increased satisfaction.Culture is defined by behaviours, not perks or rewards, and it is crucial for driving agency growth. Maintaining a strong culture as an agency grows requires creating smaller pods.Fostering a sense of ownership a...2024-05-1550 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeBuilding Resilient Brands with Generational Relevance: Abey MokgwatsaneIn our latest podcast episode, Abey Mokgwatsane, the CMO of Investec, discusses the essence of brand endurance amidst market shifts. Drawing from his experiences in shaping brand strategies at Vodacom and Ogilvy, Abey stresses the importance of a clear vision in partnership with creative agencies. "The best thing that marketers and business leaders can do for agencies is to be very clear about what problem they are solving," he notes. The Lead Creative Podcast is available on:AppleSpotifyStitcherGoogle PodcastsYouTubeSend us mail! Support the showAudio editing an...2024-04-1837 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeUnleashing Brand Potential Through Marketing Innovation: Khensani NobandaIn a crowded market where people are bombarded with marketing and advertising messages at every turn, where brands are clamouring for attention, what does it take to truly stand out? To create something that resonates with your audience and differentiates your brand. This is precisely what we asked Khensani Nobanda, Nedbank’s Group Executive: Group Marketing & Corporate Affairs, a treasure trove of insights for anyone keen to navigate the complex waters of brand building, marketing and creativity.We also discuss:Marketing and creative awards are valuable in attracting top talent and showcasing age...2024-04-0455 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeThe Impact of Diversity on Marketing and Business Growth: Veli NgubaneIn this episode, we sit down with Veli Ngubane, of Avatar Agency Group, to explore how diversity isn't just a buzzword in marketing and business—it's the secret sauce to their explosive growth and creative success. From a team of over 100 people to a powerhouse of over 300 talented creative minds, Avatar's journey is a testament to the transformative power of embracing varied perspectives.Veli shares candid insights into how mixing different backgrounds, thoughts, and cultures fuels creativity and innovation that resonate across global markets. Key takeaways: Embracing diverse perspectives is key to inn...2024-03-1547 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeCrafting Connections and Shaping Perceptions Through Brand Storytelling: Lebo MadibaIn this thought-provoking episode of the Lead Creative Podcast, host Mongezi Mtati engages with Lebo Madiba, founder and managing director of PR Powerhouse, to delve deep into the art of brand storytelling. Madiba illustrates this with compelling examples, including the remarkable journey of Checkers Sixty60 and SweepSouth, showcasing how these brands have seamlessly integrated their stories into the everyday lives of their customers, thus building brand loyalty and trust.Discussion points to look out for:Brand storytelling is a powerful way to build resonance with customers, stakeholders, and communities.Authenticity and consistency a...2024-03-0847 minRisk and RiseRisk and RiseEntrepreneurs: Commit to building, not to comfort; with Mongezi MtatiMongezi Mtati, Digital and Marketing Strategist, shares how he faced the fear of quitting his job to start his first business.  It failed, and the learnings were well worth it as he kept building, and has had a few other (ad)ventures on his way to where he is now.  He shares some ideas around selling and the fear of rejection, and that we, as entrepreneurs, need to be less committed to comfort to succeed at building a business. Mongezi is also one of the judges in the search for the onematchstick start-up entrepreneur.  He and Telana exp...2024-03-0752 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeBridging Global Vision and African Creativity - The H&M South Africa Story: Caroline NelsonExplore the fusion of global innovation and African creativity with H&M South Africa in this insightful episode. Host Mongezi Mtati talks with Caroline Nelson, CEO, about H&M's transformative retail journey since 2015, highlighting key collaborations with local designers like Palesa Mokubung, Rich Mnisi, and Neimil. Discover the behind-the-scenes of these partnerships, H&M's commitment to South African culture, and the significant role of AI in fashion sustainability. Learn about H&M's successful integration with Superbalist, enhancing online shopping experiences. Dive into a discussion that celebrates leadership, creativity, and the impactful blend of global and local design...2024-02-2943 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeFusing Marketing, Tech, and Creativity for Better Customer Engagement: Musa KalengaIn the rapidly evolving digital landscape, the intersection of technology, marketing, and creativity is not just inevitable; it's essential. Brands and spaces that interface with consumers are undergoing profound transformation through this powerful combination, leading to unprecedented innovation and deeper customer engagement. Musa Kalenga, the Group CEO of Brave Group and the author of "Ladders & Trampolines" as well as his latest publication, "The Brave Code," shares invaluable insights into this transformative blend.The discussion also covers:Collaboration between marketers and technologists is essential for solving complex problems.Shared value is a concept that emphasizes the importance...2024-02-2245 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeAI in Digital Strategy and the Creative Process: Bra Willy SeyamaThe digital landscape is continuously evolving, from the transformative role of AI to its impact on the future of digital marketing and the creative industry. Bra Willy Seyama, a seasoned specialist in digital marketing and analytics, unpacks some of the complexities of navigating brand safety amidst the rapidly changing dynamics of social media platforms, with a special focus on X (previously Twitter). Seyama's insights highlight the critical need for brands to meticulously manage their online presence to safeguard their reputation.Key points to look out for:Navigating Brand Safety in the S...2024-02-0852 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeThe Role of Brand Equity in Weathering Economic Storms: Ivan MorokeBrands wrestle with the idea of increasing sales and building brand equity, which is often exacerbated by a tough economy. In this episode, a seasoned Marketing Strategist and the CEO of Kantar, South Africa, Ivan Moroke delves into the latest findings to share why brand equity allows brands to withstand economic downturns.Sharing findings from the 2023 Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable South African Brands Report, Ivan unpacks the value of difference and salience as aspects that enable companies with strong brands to remain top of mind. He mentions Woolworths, FNB, Nando’s and others as South African brands th...2024-02-0151 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeCultivating Communities, Collaborating with Brands: Brent LindequeIn this episode, Brent Lindeque, the founder of Good Things Guy, shares insights on building a platform that connects communities and remaining relevant in the ever-changing digital landscape.  He emphasises the importance of authenticity and values in brand partnerships and highlights the power of partnerships and giving back. Brent also discusses the exciting trends of TikTok and vidcasting in the influencer space. Overall, his strategy is to lead with kindness and consistency, creating a feeling of hope and optimism through Good Things Guy.Key takeawaysBe open to change and consistently evolve to remain r...2023-12-1437 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeAdvertising and Media Consumption Trends in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa: Charles StuartThe ever-evolving media consumption landscape affects advertising spend, changes consumer behaviour and impacts brand engagement. PwC's Entertainment and Media Outlook Report has been tracking media consumption trends since 2010, providing insights for brands to make informed advertising and marketing decisions.In this episode, Charles Stuart, PwC South Africa's Entertainment and Media Partner, sheds light on the latest findings. He shares that over the past 13 years, consumers and internet users have shifted from wanting to own content to prioritising access. He also shares insights on the growth of podcast advertising in South Africa – from R157 million to R23...2023-12-0747 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeAI, Customer-Centricity, and the Evolution of Client-Agency Relationships: Sechaba MotsieloaIn the ever-evolving customer landscape, brands and agencies face the constant challenge of staying ahead of the curve. This episode features insights from Sechaba Motsieloa, a distinguished Marketing Director and Chartered Marketer, who brings a wealth of experience from working with global brands.With a remarkable career that includes roles at SAB, Kimberly-Clark, McDonald’s, and more, Sechaba shares his unique perspectives on the transformative impact of AI in marketing and advertising. He also emphasises the importance of fostering collaborative client-agency relationships to navigate the complexities of the dynamic customer landscape. Follow Sechaba Motiseloa's th...2023-11-3037 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeSignal Over Noise: Chris Do on How to Stand Out on Social Media as a CreativeSignal Over Noise: How to Stand Out on Social Media as a CreativeIn today's noisy world, it can be difficult to stand out as a creative person. But Emmy award-winning founder and CEO of The Futur, Chris Do, has mastered the art of creating content that cuts through the clutter and builds an engaged community.In this episode, Chris shares his insights on how to stand out on social media as a creative person. He discusses his strategy, what he's learned from his experiences, and how to ensure that your content resonates with audiences.2023-11-021h 01The Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeA Creative's Guide to Collaborating with Multinational Brands and Steps to Earn Your Worth: Bonolo ChepapeCollaborating with multinational brands helps independent creatives to grow their businesses and reach more audiences. Bonolo Chepape, founder and Creative Director of Lulasclan, has worked with many recognisable brands, adding her distinct signature as a multi-talented textile and graphic designer.Bonolo has collaborated with Nando’s, Smeg, Mr Price Home and many others enabling them to stand out with her unique creative approach. Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:Do your research. Understand the values of the brands you admire and ensure that your work aligns with their aes...2023-10-261h 03The Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeBuild Community Engagement and Partner with Sponsors: Fred RoedBuilding an engaged community is essential for creators to spread their message and contribute to their chosen cause. But what does it take to build a great community?In this episode, we chat with Fred Roed, founder and CEO of Heavy Chef, a learning platform for entrepreneurs. Fred shares his insights on how to build a community of 50,000+ engaged members.Fred's sentiment, like our previous conversation with Mashudu Modau, is that focusing on your community and the value you provide are the cornerstones of growth and sustainability.Over the years, Fred and his...2023-10-1248 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeCreative Collaboration at Scale to Help Change Society: Lesley WilliamsSolving complex societal challenges requires collaboration and diversity of thought. Lesley Williams, CEO of Tshimologong Precinct, has been connecting creative, business, and other minds for over two decades to build solutions to these challenges.In this episode, Lesley Williams shares insights and practical advice on how to: Bring people together from different backgrounds and disciplines.Create an environment where collaboration can thrive.Implement successful collaborations."When seeking transformative change, be prepared to collaborate with unlikely allies. Diversity of thought can be your greatest asset." ~ Lesley Williams, CEO: Tshimologong Precinct2023-10-0652 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeMonetizing Content Creation and Collaborating with Brands: Alphi MkhwanaziMonetizing content creation is an art, and like all art, its brilliance lies in authenticity. Alphi Mkhwanazi, a maestro admired on TikTok, Instagram, and beyond, is a testament to this. His work has led to collaborations with many top brands, including MultiChoice, Mercedes-Benz, African Bank, and DSTV. Alphi doesn't just create; he crafts narratives that captivate.What sets him apart in this saturated landscape? A keen understanding of his unique offering and a knack for aligning with brands that amplify his essence.The #KFCWedding phenomenon? It wasn't just a viral moment; it was a testament...2023-09-281h 11The Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeThe Personal Brand Playbook for Creatives: Mpho MonarengEstablishing a trusted personal brand while growing a creative agency is no simple task. In this episode, we explore the journey of WOW Media founder, Mpho Monareng, and discover how he's successfully navigated these waters.From Creative to TV StarMpho's career has seen him build Toast Media, a noteworthy independent creative agency, and later, WOW Media. But he didn't stop there. This powerhouse balanced his agency work with TV appearances, collaborating with eminent brands like Klipdrift, Iwisa, Bioplus, Capitec, and more.Wrestle Doubt and Embrace Value2023-09-211h 01The Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeTribes, Trust, and Transformation: Why the Creator Economy Matters for Marketers: Lebo LionIn a noisy marketplace, brands need innovative ways to reach their audiences. Enter the creator economy, a growing ecosystem valued at $104 billion in 2021 and projected to surpass $227 billion by 2025. These creators are both influential and trusted by their communities. This offers brands an opportunity to resonate with consumers.Join us in the latest episode of The Lead Creative, where digital marketer and podcaster Lebo Lion shares how brands can foster genuine connections that yield results. Uncover the potential of the creator economy in this episode. For more insights, explore Lebo Lion's website or en...2023-09-141h 02The Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeWhy Brands Should Create Brave and Provocative Advertising: Ahmed TillyIn this episode, creative activist and founder of Number 10 – A Creative Consultancy, Ahmed Tilly, shares why brave and provocative advertising is so important for brands. He argues that marketers who do work that doesn't stand out should be fired.From turning 1st For Women into a household name to globalizing Nando's spicy voice, Tilly knows how to make brands unforgettable. He has also judged, and won, advertising and creative awards at some of the most prestigious shows including the Loeries and Cannes Lions. Tilly tells Mongezi Mtati that there is still room for brave advertising tha...2023-09-0757 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeBeing Relevant and Authentic For Generations As A Creative: Sello Maake kaNcubeActor, playwright, and director Sello Maake kaNcube shares his secrets to longevity in the creative industries, including his work on the soapie Generations as Archie Moroka.  He talks about the importance of constant self-assessment, staying true to yourself, and using social media to reach a wider audience.Sello Maake kaNcube also stresses the importance of staying true to yourself and your art. "Don't try to be someone you're not," he says. "The world needs your unique perspective."The Lead Creative Podcast is available on:AppleSpotifyStitcherGoogle PodcastsYouTubeOr wherever you listen to y...2023-09-0149 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeThe Importance of Brand Presence in Economic Downturns: Refilwe MalulekeIn today's tough economy, brands and consumers are facing unprecedented challenges. Unemployment is high, inflation is soaring, and people are feeling the pinch. As a result, some brands may be tempted to scale back their advertising, marketing, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate social investment (CSI) efforts. However, this approach could be counterproductive. In this episode, Refilwe Maluleke, the CSO of TBWA\SA and MD of Yellowwood, explains why it's important for brands to stay authentic and consistent with their brand promise, even during economic downturns. She cites examples of companies like Apple, First For Women, a...2023-07-1343 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeBuilding Your Community and Personal Brand: Sol PhendukaA strong personal brand in the creative, media and other industries helps to position you and enables your work to reach a wider audience. Podcaster, broadcaster, media personality and producer, Sol Phenduka built his brand over time and continues to make waves in various spaces. “Focus on your strengths, pursue your passions and engage in activities that truly make you happy."  ~ Sol Phenduka, Media Personality, Podcaster and ProducerWe discuss his return following a hiatus from the media industry and how he rebuilt his craft, where he now co-hosts the 959 Breakfast on Kaya. He...2023-07-0646 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeNavigating the Brand, Podcaster and Content Creator Partnership Landscape: Mashudu ModauPodcasters, content creators, and brands see great benefits from collaborating with each other. For creators, it can be a way to reach a wider audience and generate revenue. For brands, it can be a way to connect with a highly engaged audience and build brand awareness.But crafting these partnerships can be complex. There are several factors to consider, such as the target audience, the goals of the collaboration, and the creative approach.“To build a thriving community, unite people with a shared mission and connect them to achieve something meaningful together. " ~ Mashudu Modau, Cr...2023-06-281h 06The Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeTikTok Insights for Brands, Content Creators and Agencies: Greg BailieTikTok is the fastest-growing social network with over 1 billion active users. Its short-form, user-generated content drives trends and sub-cultures across the social web. This makes it a powerful platform for brands, content creators, and agencies.In this episode, TikTok’s Agency Partner for Sub-Saharan Africa, Greg Bailie shares how you can use TikTok to grow your business, reach new customers, and build a community. He cites Mr Price and Checkers campaigns as examples of what’s possible on the platform, as well as the power of user-driven trends such as #BookTok, #FinTok and others.2023-05-2437 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeStay Ahead of Trends and Create the Future: Jarred CinmanIn today's rapidly changing world, it is more important than ever for brands and agencies to be able to create the future. This means being able to distil intelligence from all the data and trends available, and then using that intelligence to create innovative solutions that meet the needs of customers.Jarred Cinman, CEO of VMLY&R South Africa, is a visionary who leads the charge in many aspects of marketing, advertising, and the role of technology in these spaces. In this episode, we discuss some of his thoughts on staying ahead of the curve...2023-05-1844 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeNurturing Successful Agency-Client Relationships: Khaya DlangaSuccessful client-agency relationships take great effort and lead to even greater returns, which in turn ensure ROI. Marketing Executive, bestselling author and content creator, Khaya Dlanga shared some of his creative strategies and insights on partnerships between brands and agencies.Having held key leadership positions at top agencies and with his experience as a Marketing Executive at Rain, Heineken and Coca-Cola; Dlanga has led impactful and award-winning brand campaigns on a local and global scale. He shares his views on how brands can work better with their agencies and vice-versa.“As a client, I va...2023-05-111h 21The Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeHarness the Power of Storytelling to Rise Above the Noise: Jana MarxIn today's crowded digital landscape – it can be challenging for your message to rise above the noise. Whether you're a marketer, a content creator, or an author, telling a compelling story is essential to capturing your audience's attention and engaging them on a deeper level.Jana Marx, a seasoned journalist, bestselling author, and TV producer, is a master storyteller, who shares her secrets in this episode. Her book, The Krugersdorp Cult Killings: Inside Cecilia Steyn's Reign of Terror, is a gripping true-crime tale that has been turned into the acclaimed Showmax documentary, Devilsdorp.So, what ma...2023-04-2738 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeThe Kenyan Perspective On Digital Marketing Trends Shaping Industries: Mark KaigwaOne of the most significant digital marketing trends in Kenya is the role of social media, particularly Twitter, which has played a critical role during times of crisis. The Westgate tragedy in 2013 is just one example of this, where Kenyans turned to Twitter to share news updates, and offer support. Kenyan citizens also went to Twitter to help raise millions of dollars for national drought relief efforts. One of the common challenges of building a business in the digital world is obsessing over meaningless metrics. This tends to lead to assigning too much significance to things...2023-04-2040 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeHow Brands and Agencies can Collaborate to Produce Impactful Creative Work: Craig RodneyIn this episode, we explore some of the work required in building a great agency, working successfully with clients, and potentially getting acquired. Agency coach and seasoned industry maven, Craig Rodney shares some of his knowledge from working with agencies and building one that was acquired by WPP.Over the space of 15 years, Craig Rodney and Mike Stopforth built and eventually sold South Africa’s most successful social media marketing agency, Cerebra. Their clients included Google, Vodacom, Absa, Coca-Cola and others. After selling the agency to WPP, Craig turned his focus to professional coaching where he helps ag...2023-04-1354 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeThe Power of Behavioural Science in Marketing and AdvertisingIn this episode, the Vice Chairman of Ogilvy UK, Rory Sutherland, unpacks why consumer behaviour is driven by seemingly irrational thinking that makes sense in hindsight. We also discuss why some brands and products change our lives once experienced, but make no sense before engagement. He cites Dyson, Nespresso and mobile phone technology as key examples.“My argument is very simple. Data tells you the what – but you need behavioural science to tell you the why. And without the why, the what2023-04-051h 10The Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeAfrican brands changing the continent’s narrative on the global stage: Thebe IkalafengAfrican brands from Kenya, South Africa to Nigeria and everywhere across the continent are making strides in shaping the continent’s narrative. In this episode, we find out how some of the successful ones are doing in Africa and the world, as well as what we can learn to replicate and keep making improvements.The Founder and Chairman of Brand Africa, who is also the Founder and CEO of the Brand Leadership Group, Thebe Ikalafeng has spent over thirteen years analysing Africa’s most successful and admired brands, as part of Brand Africa 100, a ranking of Africa’s best...2023-03-3040 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeCompelling presentations that inspire actionBringing your creative ideas to life is an impressive feat, but presenting them in a way that inspires action is what truly counts. This is where Rich Mulholland, the internationally sought-after speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of Missing Link, comes in. Rich has captivated audiences in over 40 countries on six continents and continues to do so with his unique approach to presenting.Rich and his team have been training business leaders to improve their presentation skills for almost three decades. He challenges the popular belief that storytelling is the key to engaging audiences, instead coining the term "storyselling"...2023-03-2247 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeAuthentic brand and influencer storytellingA compelling brand story helps to win customers, increase ROI and market share, and social media can help to amplify these stories. In the first episode of season 3 of The Lead Creative podcast, we explore the power of brand storytelling and its impact on ROI, market share, and customer loyalty. Tshego Kekana, the Founder and MD of Alfa Destiny Communications, joins us to share her insights on brand storytelling in the African continent.“When measuring the success of an influencer PR campaign, engagement is key on social media, and on digital it's clickthrough rates.” ~ Tshego Kekan...2023-03-1540 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeBecome a content creator and partner with brandsBuilding credibility to become a sought-after content creator and brand influencer takes time and effort. Co-founder of MomSays and content creator, Vije Vijendranath, who is known as VijeV, shares how his content creation journey evolved from a side hustle to a sustainable business. We discuss what aspiring content creators and influencers should consider, and do while building their profiles to collaborate with brands. Vije also says that brands should research their influencers to ensure that they are the right fit, instead of trying to turn them into advertising for a different format.Echoing s...2022-12-011h 00The Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeCreating Memorable Experiences: Dean CarlsonWhether you are creating ads, campaigns that transform our culture or events, understanding the art of creating memorable experiences sets you apart. The Founder and CEO of BrainFarm, Dean Carlson, conceptualised and created experiences that saw Sir Richard Branson, Malcolm Gladwell, and others become speakers at the summits he organised. He talks about how he made these possible and attributes most of his success to the team of people around him and his insatiable curiosity.The BCX Disrupt Summit by BrainFarm, conceptualised by Dean, included a masterclass by Malcolm Gladwell, which was the first of i...2022-11-171h 10TechComedyLifeTechComedyLifeTCL - EP19 - Understanding our shared reality in content creation.It’s VIJEV here. In this podcast, I experiment with a mobile podcast style where I “walk and talk” outdoors at the beautiful Golden Harvest Park with my long-time friend Mongezi Mtati who is a content creator himself and also hosts his own amazing podcast called The Lead Creative. I recorded it with the Rode Wireless Go II microphones connected to a Zoom recorder. I realized it was picking up a buzzing sound due to a limiter setting on the receiver so do bear with us on that. We live and learn.This podcast is two-fold. We talk a...2022-11-0855 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeThe role of purpose in growing brands, agencies and people: Pepe MaraisThe role of defining your purpose in building businesses, agencies, and creative teams, is as important as strategy and planning. The co-founder and Group Chief Creative Officer of Joe Public, Pepe Marais, tells us how purpose led to the growth of their business and his personal growth.We talk about how focusing on purpose contributed to the growth of Joe Public, making it one of Africa’s most revered agencies. Pepe talks about some of their key turning points, from selling their business to an international holding company, facing insolvency, and rising above it all to create so...2022-11-0355 minThe Lead CreativeThe Lead CreativeAdvertising that sticks and generates ROI: Dean OelschigCreating memorable advertising that sticks leads to brand growth, increased client ROI and agency growth. Founder and MD of Halo, Dean Oelschig tells us how they managed to help grow some of their clients through their advertising and creative work.One of their clients, Pineapple Insurance, first caught our attention on social media where it was trending for its humorous and real take on insurance. Their billboards were shared widely across social networks, so we asked him what the secret was. Dean attributes this, and other successes, to clients who are willing to question the s...2022-10-2049 min