Human Truth Shapes Destination Marketing: Thembisile Sehloho

What does it take to create work that wins at Cannes Lions while also solving real brand problems? In this episode of The Lead Creative, hosted by Mongezi Mtati in collaboration with Danette Breitenbach, Editor of Bizcommunity, we unpack the lessons behind award-winning campaigns. This is part of our partnership with Bizcommunity to uncover what makes work stand out locally and globally.Joining us are two of South Africa’s leading creative voices. Saf Sindhi, Chief Creative Officer of Bananas, shares how his agency won a Gold Lion in Film for Let There Be Cake, celebrating KFC Thailand’s 40th birthday. He talks about clarity, absurdity and why leaning into culture helps work resonate globally.Xolisa Dyeshana, Chief Creative Officer and Partner at Joe Public United, reflects on his role as Jury President for Audio & Radio at Cannes Lions 2025. He explains why local insights must come first, why work should be “consumer winning” before anything else, and how Joe Public’s own Cannes success reflects this philosophy.The conversation explores why campaigns like Burger King’s Mouldy Whopper and Coca-Cola’s storytelling show that effectiveness goes beyond sales, highlighting the importance of shifting perceptions and changing brand narratives.Listen to discover what makes South African creativity stand out on the world’s biggest stage.___________________________The Lead Creative Podcast is available on:AppleSpotifyStitcherYouTubeFollow us on:LinkedInFacebookXInstagramSend us mail! Make a donation to Threads for Ikasi, a foundation that provides school uniforms, dignity packs and other essentials to children in townships, rural areas and under-resourced communities. To support them, go to: https://threadsforikasi.org Support the showAudio editing and production by: Maishe RakgoaleSignup for our newsletter to get the latest updates.

What does it take to market a country like South Africa in an always-on, cluttered world?In this episode of The Lead Creative, host Mongezi Mtati speaks with Thembisile Sehloho, Chief Marketing Officer of South African Tourism, about building mindshare through emotional and cultural insight.You’ll hear about:The iconic Tastic x MaXhosa campaignMeasuring effectiveness in destination marketingHow influencer and brand values must alignWhy co-creation and agency trust drive effectivenessMaking South Africa part of global cultureListen wherever you get your podcasts.__________________________________The Lead Creative Podcast is available on:AppleSpotifyStitcherYouTubeFollow us on:LinkedInFacebookXInstagramSend us mail! Support the showAudio editing and production by: Maishe RakgoaleSignup for our newsletter to get the latest updates.

Over the past three decades, Jill Greenberg has created some of the most emotionally charged work in photography, from the End Times series to surreal animal portraits. Her images have appeared on Time, Variety, Newsweek and Wired. She has worked with the likes of Netflix, Showtime and Hulu. Here are three reflections from our conversation: Keep making. Even when there’s no audience, keep showing up for your work.Originality comes from input. Your work reflects what you consume, what you love, and what you notice.Don’t compromise on talent. Good models and collaborators lift the entire piece.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.

 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 miss the mark because they lack a clear, interrogated "why."Budget dilution across channels often weakens campaign impact.This is a timely conversation for marketers and creatives looking to drive more meaningful work. The Lead Creative Podcast is available on:AppleSpotifyStitcherYouTubeFollow us on:LinkedInFacebookXInstagramTikTokSend us mail! Support the showAudio editing and production by: Maishe RakgoaleSignup for our newsletter to get the latest updates.

How 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 Creative Podcast is available on:AppleSpotifyStitcherYouTubeFollow us on:LinkedInFacebookXInstagramTikTokSend us mail! Support the showAudio editing and production by: Maishe RakgoaleSignup for our newsletter to get the latest updates.

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

Marketing 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 episode:How brands can balance data-driven decisions with cultural intelligence.Why co-creating with communities leads to deeper engagement.The risks of playing it too safe in brand messaging.How cultural nuance can drive both engagement and business success.Listen now to discover how culture can turn good marketing into great branding.The Lead Creative Podcast is available on:AppleSpotifyStitcherYouTubeFollow us on:LinkedInFacebookXInstagramTikTokSend us mail! Support the showAudio editing and production by: Maishe RakgoaleSignup for our newsletter to get the latest updates.

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

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

Consumers 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.