The Lead Creative

In 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 tr...

In 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 perspe...

In 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...

Explore 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...

In 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 &qu...

The 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 Twi...

Brands 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 B...

In 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 t...

The 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...

In 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...

Signal Over Noise: How to Stand Out on Social Media as a Creative In 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...

Collaborating 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 ou...

Building 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...

Solving 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. Cre...

Monetizing 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 th...

Establishing 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 Star Mpho's career has seen him build Toast Media, a noteworthy independent creative agency, and later, WOW Media. But he didn't stop there....

In 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...

In 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 al...

Actor, 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...

In 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...

A 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 Phenduk...

Podcasters, 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...

TikTok 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,...

In 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 man...

Successful 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, H...