Marketing Masterclasses

Adrian Hewlett’s career journey has taken him from the world of marketing and entrepreneurship to leading one of South Africa’s most respected sustainable lifestyle brands, Sealand Gear. In this episode, Adrian sits down with Declan to unpack what it really takes to build a purpose driven business in today’s world. They speak about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, building great teams, stay...

In a world full of dashboards, metrics, and AI tools, it is easy to forget who marketing is really for. In this episode, Zain Naidoo, Head of Digital and Social at Dis-Chem Pharmacies, brings the focus back to people. Zain sits down with Declan to unpack how social media has changed the way brands connect with customers, why creativity still matters even when data is everywhere, and how brands can...

What does it take to market in a world where attention is the most valuable currency? In this episode of Marketing Masterclass, Lee Nelson, Head of Marketing & Communications at DHL eCommerce, shares with Jon how DHL is helping small businesses grow beyond their borders and compete on a global stage. Lee reflects on her journey into marketing, from handing out Red Bull as a student to leading...

Few careers follow a straight line, and Sasha's journey into marketing is no exception. In this episode of the Marketing Masterclass , Loren sits down with Sasha Sathianathan, the Senior Brand Manager at RCL Foods. From starting out in chemical engineering to building brands at Unilever, Mondelez, and now RCL Foods, Sasha shares her journey into marketing and how she found her place at the int...

Straight out of South Africa and into a completely new culture, Rachel Moffett began building a career in marketing far from home. In this episode of Marketing Masterclass , Rachel, Regional Marketing Manager at Mövenpick Hotel, joins Nicole to share how that journey shaped her approach to marketing, leadership, and working across cultures. They talk about navigating global markets, the move into...

How do you go from an unexpected start to leading marketing at one of Africa’s biggest banks? In this episode of Marketing Masterclass, Sydney Mbhele, Chief Marketing Officer at Absa, shares the journey that shaped his career and the mindset that’s guided him along the way. Sydney reflects on the moments that changed his trajectory, why he believes attitude matters more than talent, and what he lo...

From engineer to CMO of PepsiCo South Africa, Vilosha Soni’s journey is anything but conventional. In this episode, she unpacks what it really takes to build iconic brands, stay relevant across generations, and lead high-performing teams at scale. You’ll learn why curiosity is a marketer’s greatest advantage, how to translate consumer insight into business impact, and why having a bias for action...

How do you grow into leadership in marketing? In this episode of Marketing Masterclass, Vilashni Vandayar, Marketing Director of Convenience Food and Beverages at PepsiCo, reflects on her journey from starting out in science to leading some of South Africa’s most recognisable brands. Vilashni shares the mindset that has shaped her career, from staying curious and continuously learning, to stepping...

What does it take to build one of South Africa’s fastest growing digital banks? In this episode of Marketing Masterclass, Lucia Malapane, Head of Brand Marketing at GoTyme Bank, shares with Declan the story behind the bank’s growth to more than 12 million customers. Lucia reflects on her journey from being part of building the business in its early days to leading the brand today, and how GoTyme B...

What does it really mean to never stop inventing a better way to shop? In this episode, Carol Feeley, Head of Creative at Ocado, joins Declan to share what that looks like in practice at one of the UK’s leading online grocery retailers. She talks about building a brand inside a business that is deeply data driven, and why consistency and patience matter more than constantly chasing the next new id...

Caroline is a firm believer that great businesses are built by great people. In this episode of Marketing Masterclasses , Caroline sits down with Declan to unpack what people-first leadership really looks like at scale. She dives into the balance between strategy and culture, why narrowing down the tools your team actually values matters more than chasing trends, and how embedding corporate respon...

Michaella Robertson has spent her career figuring out how to make brands matter, from big ideas to the little details that actually stick. In this episode, she joins Nicole to explore why social is a behaviour, not a channel, how AI should scale connection rather than replace it, and why the strongest creative work starts with a culture of trust. From Durban to Switzerland to leading global creati...

Karla Levick, Chief Marketing Officer at takealot.com, is a strong advocate for how brands must evolve in a creator-led world. In this episode, Karla sits down with Declan to chat through why brands should behave more like content creators, how to work authentically with South Africa’s creator economy, and how to build brand equity on social platforms. She also discusses consistency, trust, and wh...

In this episode, Jon chats to Kevin Lennett , Managing Director of The Crazy Store , to unpack his remarkable career journey and what it takes to run one of South Africa’s most beloved retail brands. Kevin shares his unlikely entrance into retail, how a newspaper job ad changed the trajectory of his life, and why his journey across both Sportsman’s Warehouse and The Crazy Store has always come bac...

In this inspiring episode, Declan and Zach Nossel , Head of Digital Marketing at Woolworths , unpack the unconventional, yet relatable, journey behind Zach's success. Zach shares how early lessons in discipline, teamwork, and resilience, instilled by his father on the football pitch, shaped the leader he is today. From studying law to discovering his creative calling, from winning global creat...

Nicole and Jamie sit down with Lauren Voges, B2B Content Marketing Manager at Booking.com , to explore the unconventional career moves that shaped her expertise. Lauren’s journey proves that what may look like a step back can actually build the depth and breadth that make a standout communicator. We talk about why asking “does that make sense?” isn’t a sign of uncertainty, but an underrated tool f...

In this inspiring episode, Jon sits down with Gopi Kallayil , Google’s Chief Business Strategist for AI, at the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation in Cape Town. From connecting Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama for their first-ever live Hangout years ago, to leading Google’s AI strategy today, Gopi shares remarkable stories of innovation, spirituality, and purpose. He reflects on les...

Declan sits down with Roy Gardner, VP - Brand Activation Europe at adidas , for a masterclass in brand clarity, curiosity, and career longevity. Roy’s journey has taken him across some of the most iconic names in sport and lifestyle, from adidas to Helly Hansen, Leeds United, Reebok, Clarks, and ultimately back to adidas, where he now leads a team of 120 people across four countries. Roy shares wh...

From testing video games to leading global brands, Alberto Hernandez’s career has been defined by one thing: curiosity. He’s proof that asking “why?” (and acting on it) can lead to successful and continuous reinvention. In his words, the best marketers are “curious about people’s daily struggles.” They are in the business of solving problems in the best ways they know how. Alberto shared many valu...

In this episode, Hazel Chimhandamba , CMO of Hollard Insurance , chats to Declan about what it really means to be a commercial growth enabler . From redefining brand value to leading with data-driven creativity, Hazel shares how modern marketers can build influence in the boardroom and create brands people actually love. We cover: Turning purpose into performance Building operating models that dri...

How do you grow a business from R80 million to R1.2 billion, nearly lose it, and then sell it to one of South Africa’s biggest retailers? Anthony Steward, co-founder of Medicare Health and now Zorros Partners, joins Declan to share the real story behind the numbers, including everything from the humbling lessons of over-ambition to the power of focus, trust, and vulnerability in leadership. One of...

From embracing agency life to knuckling down brand side, Miguel Netto’s marketing career has ticked all the boxes. As the Head of Marketing at Bootlegger, Miguel’s coffee-fueled days are focused on building a brand that doesn't advertise but rather works to belong within your lifestyle. Miguel chats to Declan about his (and Bootlegger’s) values of quality, consistency, and sustainability, and how...

What does it take to go from Intern to Award-Winning Marketer at Discovery Bank? For Jody Ashworth, it’s been about curiosity, courage, and an unshakable belief in the power of behavioural science to change how we bank. Jody shares how she’s shaping the future of financial health at Discovery Bank, from creating the brand’s beloved Discovery Bank Buddy to using AI and data to make banking more hum...

In this episode, Declan chats with Alicia Jitaru , European Digital Director for M&M’s, about what really drives great marketing in a digital world. They unpack why, despite all the new tools and tech, the fundamentals stay the same: understanding people, meeting their needs, and showing up authentically. From “digital wizardry” to emotional connection, Alicia shares how brands can create real...

What do ultra-trail running and brand building have in common? For Amy Beachy Head, Adidas South Africa’s Brand Manager for Running & Outdoor, the answer is grit, authenticity, and putting people first. In this episode, Amy takes us through her journey from turning down her first marketing job at a chicken farm to leading culture-driven campaigns for one of the world’s most iconic sports brand...