Brave and Authentic Brand Communication

Charl 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 taking creative risks that may not align with short-term data but can create lasting impact.Hear about the importance of fostering equal partnerships with creative agencies and stakeholders to generate breakthrough ideas.Understand the significance of integrating local insights with global strategies to drive meaningful brand transformation.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 get the latest updates.

Mongezi 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 Volkswagen’s messagingBalancing boldness and authenticity in advertising campaignsHow VW’s Polo ‘Game On’ Metaverse and NFT campaign pushed creative boundariesJoin us as we explore how VW keeps its brand iconic and connected to the pulse of culture through bold creativity and people-focused messaging.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 get the latest updates.

In 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 PodcastsYouTubeFollow us on:LinkedInFacebookXInstagramTikTokSend us mail! Support the showAudio editing and production by: Maishe RakgoaleSignup for our newsletter to get the latest updates.

Thando 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 showAudio editing and production by: Maishe RakgoaleSignup for our newsletter to get the latest updates.

Should 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 messaging remain relevant.Trusted Partnerships: Companies should aim to be the most trusted partners of their communities.Ethical Leadership: Ethical leadership should not exist in a vacuum but aim for a greater good.Young Leadership: Investing in young leaders is crucial for sustainable business and societal development.Economic Participation: Creating spaces for the majority to participate in the economy helps reclaim self-worth and self-respect.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 get the latest updates.

Rebuilding 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 production by: Maishe RakgoaleSignup for our newsletter to get the latest updates.

Steve 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 get the latest updates.

 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! Support the showAudio editing and production by: Maishe RakgoaleSignup for our newsletter to get the latest updates.

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 and collaboration is key to creating a positive agency culture. Self-managed teams can be highly efficient and productive, especially in smaller groups.Wastage in agencies can be reduced by improving scope and aligning with clients.Productive flow, or uninterrupted time for deep work, is crucial for maximizing productivity.Share and subscribe to help us grow! Send us mail! Support the showAudio editing and production by: Maishe RakgoaleSignup for our newsletter to get the latest updates.

In 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 and production by: Maishe RakgoaleSignup for our newsletter to get the latest updates.