The Business of Influence

In this episode of Business of Influence, host Leroy Marc sits down with the founder and CEO of Chenin Noir, Xolani Mancotywa, to unpack the intersection of premium beverage culture, social influence and consumer psychology. From premium liquor as a marker of status to the emotional drivers behind luxury consumption, this conversation explores how identity, aspiration and achievement are increasin...

In this episode of Founder’s Desk, host Tami Ruschin sits down with Lebohang Mabeba and Abby Saohatse to unpack what it really takes to build trust with South African consumers in a low trust environment. From navigating the gap between brand intention and audience perception to building relationships rooted in accountability, Lebo and Abby share a practical perspective on how founders can create...

In this episode of Founder’s Desk, host Tami Ruschin sits down with Nkgabiseng Motau, Co-Founder of Think Creative Africa, to unpack what it really takes to build brands that resonate in South Africa’s mass market. From integrating cultural insight into every stage of the creative process to prioritising genuine client relationships over transactional engagements, Nkgabiseng shares a grounded appr...

In this episode of Business of Influence, host Leroy Marc sits down with Craig Jacobs, fashion designer, columnist and entrepreneur, to unpack the evolving landscape of media in Africa and the shifting relationship between legacy and digital platforms. From the rise of journalists as personal brands to the enduring value of credibility in legacy media, Craig reflects on how influence has moved fro...

In this episode of Founder’s Desk, we unpack the reality of scaling a small creative agency with Mika Stefano and Herkie Du Preez, founders of Strong PR.From launching during COVID-19 to building a multi-divisional business, they share what it really takes to move from survival mode to structured growth. This conversation dives into the unglamorous but critical side of scaling. Systems, processes...

Koketso Masisi is a creative director and entrepreneur shaping the intersection of culture, creativity and commerce. In this episode, she unpacks the tension between bold creative expression and commercial impact, challenging brands to move beyond vanity metrics and define success through cultural resonance, brand love and measurable intent. Koketso also advocates for stronger agency client partne...

In the first episode of Founder’s Desk, host Tami Ruschin sits down with Pat Mahlangu, brandpreneur and founder of Pat on Brands, to unpack the power and risk of founder visibility. From launching Pat on Brands as a blog a decade ago to building a media platform, consultancy and the Youth Own Brands Awards, Mahlangu shares how founders can turn personal credibility into brand equity while protecti...

We are so back! In the pilot episode of Season 4, host Leroy Marc sits down with Nombulelo Fox and Mbali Cobotwana to unpack the real state of the creator economy in South Africa. Nombulelo Fox, a Film, TV and Entertainment Reviewer, #TikTokAwards 2024 nominee and contributor on Unfollowed on #Showmax, brings a sharp cultural lens on how credibility and authority are built online, while Mbali aka...

The Innovation & Marketing team steps out from behind the curtain for the Season 3 finale of The Business of Influence. At the top of the season, we said we were cooking up a storm; now we’re closing the year by bringing you up close and personal with the people working behind the scenes to bring the podcast to life. In this episode, the team breaks down the real impact of Season 3: the conver...

AI isn’t the villain, it’s the power tool. Darren Morris breaks down why the creator economy isn’t under threat; it’s evolving. Passion still drives creativity, and IMC remains the space where marketers recalibrate, reconnect, and get honest about what’s working. Watch the full conversation now and stay ahead of the curve. Follow our guest: https://tr.ee/HGAY2J Follow Us On: Instagram: https://tr....

In this IMC Series episode, we sat down with Vaughan Croeser, Vice President of Marketing at SAB, to unpack why marketing is not a support function; it’s a strategic co-pilot. Vaughan shares why marketers should not be fighting for a seat at the table, but actively shaping direction and driving organisational growth. We explore how brand consistency, purpose alignment, and long-term strategic infl...

Outdoor advertising is having its renaissance. In this IMC conversation, Nomzamo Moalusi, Primedia Marketing and Communications Manager, breaks down why billboards remain an unskippable touchpoint, how digital OOH drives real talkability, and why marketers need to think beyond “placement” and start designing cultural moments. From cost myths to data-backed performance, she unpacks why OOH is still...

In this IMC Series episode, we sit down with Tamryn Taylor, Head of Demand Creation, BWPC Unilever South Africa, to unpack how social listening has reshaped Unilever’s marketing strategy. With consumers constantly online, always informed, and increasingly vocal, the real competitive advantage is in listening, not just broadcasting. Tamryn shares how always-on listening uncovers cultural insights,...

In this IMC segment, we chat to Dean Oelschig, Founder of Halo Advertising, as he unpacks the philosophy behind creativity in marketing. He reminds us that creativity isn’t a science, it’s intuition, emotion and instinct working together to connect brands with people. Dean challenges marketers to focus less on themselves and more on the consumer, because when creativity is useful, beautiful, or en...

Watch as we talk to Bridget Harpur, Head of Marketing at Volkswagen, about the unique challenges and triumphs of automotive marketing. Bridget shares why recognising the C-suite's importance is fundamental to business success, it's not just about awards, it's about driving actual business results. She delves into the world of brand salience (being top-of-mind) and also offers brilliant...

In this IMC conversation, we sat down with Phathiswa Sefatswa, Brand Executive at Click Group, to unpack the real role marketing plays in shaping business outcomes today. Phathiswa reminds us that marketing is not the “supporting act,” it is the strategic engine that drives revenue, brand affinity, and long-term business growth. At its core, marketing is about consistency, clarity, and staying anc...

In this episode of The Business of Influence IMC Series, we sat down with Zain Naidoo, Head of Digital & Social Marketing at Dis-Chem, to unpack the real power of marketing in driving consumer behaviour and brand loyalty. Zain shares how marketing continues to shape everyday decisions, from what we wear to what we drive and why every successful purchase begins long before a consumer walks into...

In this episode of The Founder’s Desk, Maishe gets candid about what it really takes to build, scale and sustain a business, starting with people. From hiring for growth to navigating a multi-generational workplace, this conversation unpacks the human side of entrepreneurship. Expect sharp insights, honest reflections and real talk about leadership, culture and the evolving world of work. The Foun...

In this episode of The Business of Influence, filmed at the IMC Conference, Khensani Nobanda, Group Executive of Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Nedbank, joins Leroy Marc to unpack what marketing truly means at the heart of a legacy brand. From redefining competition beyond traditional banks to embracing content creators and AI-driven innovation, Khensani breaks down how marketing drives growth...

In this week’s episode of The Founder’s Desk, Tami Ruschin sat down with Zandile Khulu, Client Service Lead at Style ID Africa, an industry force known for her sharp client intuition and people-first approach. Together, they unpack what it really means to understand clients beyond briefs, KPIs, and deliverables. From decoding client behaviour to building trust and navigating complex expectations,...

In this episode of The Business of Influence: IMC Series, we sat down with Aimee Kellen, Regional Marketing Director at Moët Hennessy, to explore the art of storytelling, passion, and purpose in the world of luxury marketing. Aimee unpacks how Moët Hennessy continues to define excellence through experiences that honour the brand’s legacy while keeping it relevant for the next generation of consume...

In this episode of The Founder’s Desk, we sit down with Lindo Mkhize to unpack the art and grind of New Business Mining or as we like to call it, bringing home the bacon. From spotting the right opportunities to building trust with potential clients, Lindo shares what it really takes to grow the business pipeline in a fast-paced, ever-evolving industry. Expect sharp insights, a few hard truths, an...

Every great business starts with a strong foundation. But what does that foundation really look like? Join us for the very first episode of Foundations from the Founder's Desk, where CEO Tami pulls back the curtain on her own entrepreneurial journey. She shares the untold stories and hard-earned lessons behind her success. From navigating challenges to seizing opportunities, this episode is pa...

In this episode of The Founder’s Desk, we sit down with Lindo Mkhize to unpack the art and grind of New Business Mining or as we like to call it, bringing home the bacon. From spotting the right opportunities to building trust with potential clients, Lindo shares what it really takes to grow the business pipeline in a fast-paced, ever-evolving industry. Expect sharp insights, a few hard truths, an...

In this episode of The Business of Influence, Melusi Mhlungu joins us to unpack one of the biggest shifts in modern marketing: people buy into people, not brands. From building trust through influencer partnerships to redefining how consumers connect with authenticity, Melusi shares his perspective on why human connection sits at the heart of every powerful brand story. Subscribe and stay tuned fo...