The CMO Corner

Elizabeth Mokwena is the first guest who is in charge of the marketing function of a FMCG/CPG business that is the scale of a major multinational like Unliver to be featured on The CMO Corner. Elizabeth Mokwena is the Executive Marketing Director at Unilever for the Home Care division in Southern Africa. She is also the Chairperson for the IAB Bookmark awards - the foremost leading digital marketing awards. She described her work as ‘giving global brands an African passport, while giving African brands global exposure' and has a passion for nurturing the next generation of African brand builders.‘I believe in the power of creativity to change the world,' said Mokwena. ‘Digital innovation compounds the possibilities of doing this faster, more cost-effectively and with scale. I think 2025 is a redemptive year for our industry and I am honoured to assist the IAB South Africa and the Bookmarks in identifying and celebrating digital work that has had a measurable impact. I am confident we will raise the bar for South Africa's digital work. Excellence is the standard.' said Mokwena.

Sylvester Chauke, is what I define as a maverick in the brand, marketing and communications world globally. Chauke has led one of the biggest agencies that has come out of the African Continent. As the founder of DNA Brand Architects, the agency has created a much-needed voice in the PR landscape in Africa. DNA boasts an impressive haul of accolades, including ICCO World's Best, PRISM Large PR Agency of the Year (2021, 2022, and 2023), IABC Best of the Best, and a spot on Adweek's Top 100 Fastest GrowingAgencies in the World in 2023. Sylvester's vision continues to challenge the industry with bold, culturally resonant storytelling. With a trophy shelf that's anything but bland, Sylvester has been named CNBC All Africa Young Business Leader of the Year and serves on several influential boards,including the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Advisory Council, theUniversity of Johannesburg Advisory Council, and the SA State Theatre. He's a TEDspeaker and authored the unapologetically inspiring Stand Against Bland.Driven by a fiery passion for creativity and transformation, Sylvester championsAfrican excellence—not as a distant dream but as a dynamic, living reality. For him,creativity is more than an art; it's a force that shapes how we see the world and howAfrica tells its story to the world.I hope the interview is helpful and something you can enjoy!

In 2024, The Odd Number won the prestigious Loeries Independent Agency of the year award. Founded by Sbu Sitole and his partner and childhood friend Xola Nouse this agency has worked and shaped some of the leading brands in just a space of 10 years. Sbu and I reflect on his journey, the journey of The Odd Number, and the work they have managed to execute in the industry. Sbu Sitole is the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Director of The Odd Number, South Africa's Agency of the year 2017 and 2019 respectively. Since it's founding in 2015, The Odd Number has consistently won awards in all South Africa's major award shows including The Creative Circle, the Loeries Awards, as well as the Pendorings Awards - most recently ranked 2nd most awarded agency to feature in the show. In 2018, Sbu was voted most admired Executive Creative Director in Johannesburg, and second most admired Executive Creative Director in South Africa 2019, in a local poll amongst South African Creative leaders. Most recently The Odd Number won its first 4 One Show Merits, becoming the first 100% Black Owned Agency to ever garner this accolade. The Odd Number, is currently at second place in the Creative Circle Rankings. Sbu has recently been appointed as Chairman of the Loeries Africa Middle East, as well as judged major international award shows including The Cannes Lions, The Dubai Lynx as Jury President and The One Show Awards.

X3M Ideas is the first West African agency to win a Cannes Lion. We talk about what it took to do that, how the new media of today will be the old media of tomorrow or the next 6 months and how meeting the consumer where they are will win your the intangible award of being their most loved brand in their hearts.

I brought the legend of the Marketing business, what urban culture refers to as the OG. For those that don't know (no judgement) OG, short for “original gangster” or “original gangsta,” is a slang term for someone who's incredibly exceptional, authentic, or “old-school". Frank and I spoke about how we got here, how we got to the place of how we stopped being considered. But we do two critical things as well, we define humanized growth and what we can do to get ourselves back to the main table, the main room, the boardroom. Frank talks about what we can do, how we do it and why we need to drive it and most important, who needs to drive this!

My guest is Dr. Alistair Mokoena who has recently decided to "semi retire" in corporate as he puts it and go the entrepreneurship route. A Marketer by trade, Mokoena has spent time in many blue chip organisations like ABSA, Mondelez and Unilever leading marketing for those businesses and some of their brands. His last corporate stint was as the Country Director (CEO) for Google South Africa. Servings of Self-Mastery is his first book and we dive into what Marketers can take from this book as it was the centre of his key note address at the 2024 Nedbank IMC Conference. Africa's Largest Marketing Conference in the Continent.

If you want your brand to go viral, I guess Mike Sharman is your guy! My guest is the founder and Chief Creative Officer for Retroviral. I've seen some amazing work from that business and they are what the industry needs, BRAVERY! Mike and I spoke about exactly that, what the marketing world needs... DISRUPTION, the award winning work they have managed to do for brands that has undeniably made them famous. Lover of PR and the power it has, challenger of AI in the marketing world and the bravery of Mike and his team inspire us to be better, do better, and challenge AI and all tech, but use it to start the conversation through show and sell!

Former Tik Tok executive and X employee, Scott Thwaites is pioneering a new way to drive influence and influencer marketing with his newly launched EDC squared, Thwaites aims to use his vast experience from TikTok and Twitter to introduce a refreshing perspective on Everyday Creators and Everyday Content by unlocking the true impact of short-form video. I got to speak to him on where influencer marketing is going and what that means for influencers, brands and content. This series is brought to you by Nedbank IMC.

I got to catch up with Musa Kalenga post his inspiring keynote from the Nebank IMC 2024 conference, marketing expert Musa Kalenga took the audience on a journey through the last 100 years of marketing innovation and reveals what the future holds for the next century. From traditional advertising to the digital age, Musa explored the rapid evolution of marketing and introduced FORGE by Brave—a cutting-edge AI marketing technology set to revolutionize how brands connect with their audiences. FORGE is the future. Discover how AI, automation, and creativity will shape the future of marketing, driving more personalized, data-driven, and impactful campaigns. This episode is brought to you by Nedbank IMC

Like most if not every creative, Matthew Bull, walked into the studio and owned the room. Matthew, became an advertising copywriter, then a creative group head, then a creative director, then a CEO, then a global chief creative officer, then a chairman, then a creative director again. He has a story to tell! In his own words he says: "I've worked in, and created work for, every conceivable market in the world, from Johannesburg to London to New York to Shanghai to Bangkok to San Paulo to Mumbai to Mexico City to Lagos...you get the picture, I've done work for banks, paint, beer, computers, margarine, cellphones, political parties, soda, charities galore, chocolate, fitness clubs and on and on and on" If you attended the Nedbank IMC you will be able to watch his keynote on the event app. If not, wait for an updated link once all presentations have been released to the public. This series is brought to you by the Nedbank IMC #CMOCornerAtNebankIMC

In this episode, I hosted Stacy Jayne Saggers who is the Commercial Growth Director at Kantar. Stacy leads the commercial team for Kantar, the world's largest consumer research agency. Stacy has over 20 years experience in research, across FMCG, banking, retail, financial services, sports and telco's. Stacy is passionate about bringing the human voice to brands and businesses in South Africa, to enable the type of change and innovation that serve the needs of people and our country, while driving the bottom line. Stacy hosts two podcasts which form the basis of her keynote addresses, leadership integration sessions and workshop engagements. She also hosts two podcasts of her own and the details are below: FUTURE PROOF MZANSI focuses on the changing decisions and behaviours of South Africans as they adapt to the evolving macro and domestic circumstances; from loadshedding and the rise of subscription programmes, to household finances and online shopping, to media and social media adoption. COLOUR-FULL is hosted by Stacy, white mom of adopted children, living in Cape Town, and Sena (black woman, living in Johannesburg). Together, they explore how race shapes our experiences. The vision is to spark candid and open dialogues for a more inclusive South Africa, through the use of personal stories and uncomfortable conversations that challenge complacency, apathy and injustice. If you are looking for the reports discussed in this interview, please email: stacy.saggers@kantar.com

On this episode, I hosted Stacy Jayne Saggers who is the Commercial Growth Director at Kantar. Stacy leads the commercial team for Kantar, the world's largest consumer research agency. Stacy has over 20 years experience in research, across FMCG, banking, retail, financial services, sports and telco's. Stacy is passionate about bringing the human voice to brands and businesses in South Africa, to enable the type of change and innovation that serve the needs of people and our country, while driving the bottom line. Stacy hosts two podcasts which form the basis of her keynote addresses, leadership integration sessions and workshop engagements. She also hosts two podcasts of her own and the details are below: FUTURE PROOF MZANSI focuses on the changing decisions and behaviours of South Africans as they adapt to the evolving macro and domestic circumstances; from loadshedding and the rise of subscription programmes, to household finances and online shopping, to media and social media adoption. COLOUR-FULL is hosted by Stacy, white mom of adopted children, living in Cape Town, and Sena (black woman, living in Johannesburg). Together, they explore how race shapes our experiences. The vision is to spark candid and open dialogues for a more inclusive South Africa, through the use of personal stories and uncomfortable conversations that challenge complacency, apathy and injustice. If you are looking for the reports discussed in this interview, please email: stacy.saggers@kantar.com

Merissa Himraj joins me for a chat about the media agency landscape, how South Africa's are consuming media and the technicalities of what media agencies do in supporting clients and creating the best work out as CEO of a top 5 media agency in the world! Merissa is a strategic thinker who loves to solve problems and deliver effective solutions, she lives to drive impactful communication and meaningful difference for her team, and her clients together with her Wavemaker network. Merissa is  proud to be part of the best media agency group in the world ! Forging collaboration across the continent using Media, Content and Technology as well as true partnership that delivers operational excellence

On this episode, I chat to Sibu Mabena, the Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Duma Collective, a Creative Communications Agency based in Johannesburg South Africa. We opened up the curtain to what the world of a communication agency really looks like, we touched on the difficulties of setting it up, how agencies can position themselves to be better and some of the work that Duma Collective has been a part of. At the core of Sibu's being is imparting her knowledge to other creatives as the soleand founding member of Duma Collective. Duma is a thriving creative enterprise servicing a variety of clients, ranging from FMCG brands, energy and technology, enterprise development, financial services to government departments. The company's client base includes multinational brands such as the MultiChoice Group including DStv, ShowMax and SuperSport, Engen, FNB, Heineken South Africa, Chivas Whisky in South Africa, Cameroon and Nigeria, and Puma just to name a few. By providing services such as Brand Strategy and execution, Public Relations, Social Media Management, Influencer Campaigns, Event Management, and Talent procurement for their clients, through Duma Collective, Sibu Mabena has created an oasis for African talent to flourish.

My guest is Nkgabiseng Motau, Chief Creative Office at Think Creative Africa and its co-founder. Motau has worked on local and global campaigns for some of the world's most loved brands at the helm of Africa's top multinational agencies, Nkgabiseng Motau co-founded Think Creative Africa where she is currently Chief Creative Officer. Think is a through-the-line creative agency that combines truly African creativity and data-led insights to generate ideas that solve business problems and impact society. With over a decade of experience in the communications industry, Nkgabiseng has collected many creative accolades including a gold Pendoring Award for the branding design of the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital in Johannesburg and a Gold Loerie Award in the category of Effective Creativity on behalf of Coca-Cola. During her time working on the Coca-Cola account, she created one of the only campaigns to come out of Africa and be adopted in over 95 countries around the world. Under her creative leadership at Think, the agency has worked in service of bluechip companies such as Multichoice, Vodacom and Metropolitan Life to name a few. Nkgabiseng is a member of the Creative Circle SA EXCO Board and has served as a juror for organizations such as ADC, One Show, Ad Stars and Cannes Lions. Locally, she has been a recurring judge for Loeries, Pendorings, Creative Circle, Cannes Young Lions and is a member of the ABInbev Braintrust.

Possibly one of the most decorated marketers. My next guest on the CMO Corner Shorts edition brought to you by the IMC (Integrated Marketing Council) is Zayd Abrahams - Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer at Tiger Brands - The biggest South African and African FMCG company. I got to engaged with Zayd on client/agency relationship at the back of his panel discussion on the very same topic. Take some time to hear his thoughts on how agencies and clients can better partner

Nick Law is the Global Creative Chairperson for Accenture Song. He joined me for 20 mins to discuss where we are in terms of AI in our space and he shared a snippet of his 7 creative principles. Nick states "It is our responsibility to stop thinking about technology as anything other than a medium that makes us more creative and not less.” Nick, who has recently laid out his “Seven Principals of Creativity”, shares his insights at the Nedbank IMC Conference on what industry captains should embrace over the next decade, to ensure they keep up with ever-evolving business landscapes. Nick encourages a dynamic approach, stressing that adapting to new technologies, adopting creativity, and welcoming collaboration, are key to success. This episode is brought to you by The Integrated Marketing Council (IMC)

My guest is Xolisa Dyeshana, Chief Creative Officer and partner at Joe Public United and has been an invaluable part of the independent agency group's growth story, having begun his journey with the agency as far back as 2006. He contributes a wealth of experience gained over 19 years, working on iconic brands like Mercedes-Benz, Nike, Nedbank, Dialdirect, P&G, Renault, Chicken Licken, UberEats, Converse, Distell, Momentum, Santam, Elizabeth Arden and Toyota. Xolisa's passion lies in the world of creativity. To this end, he has actively contributed to the industry as Chairperson of The Creative Circle, the highest decision-making body for advertising creativity in South Africa and served as Chairman of the Loeries (2012–2014), South Africa's premier advertising awards show. He also strives to give a voice to African creativity on the global stage, having served on the juries of almost every renowned advertising award show across the world. Most recently, he was a member of the international board of the One Show – the premier advertising show in the United States. His passion for creative excellence is also evident in the numerous awards won throughout his career at both local and international awards festivals, including Cannes, D&AD, One Show, Loeries and more – earning him recognition as South Africa's joint No. 1 creative leader in 2018 and number 2 in 2020 and 2021. Last year, Xolisa was recognized as one of Adweek's Creative 100 – an annual global honour that has become one of the most respected accomplishments in the creative industry. Xolisa has been part of many industry initiatives aimed at helping young people from underprivileged backgrounds gain access to the industry – actively engaging a new generation of creative minds in finding new solutions for a better South Africa.

My guest today is Andisa Ntsubane, a Chartered Marketer CM (SA) and certified Customer Experience Professional FCXP (CX-I). Ntsubane is the Managing Executive for Brand, Marketing and Communications for Africa at Vodacom Group. Andisa Ntsubane was nominated by 100 Global Chief Marketing Officers and Growth Leaders as the Institute for Real Growth (IRG) 100, Global Humanized Growth Champion for 2021 and was also announced by Marketing Edge as the 2021 Africa Marketing Leader of the Year.

Vuyo is the youngest CMO to grace the CMO Corner over the past 2 seasons. Now that is no small feat! Vuyo is a seasoned business leader with over 13 years of experience in marketing having worked locally and globally. She has worked in consumer goods and recently entered the restaurant hospitality business with Spur Corp. She loves inspiring teams and creating collaborative environments to deliver business results. She has led brands like Knorrox, Robertsons, Rajah locally and she has worked on Unilever's largest food brand, Knorr in the United Kingdom driving innovation and breakthrough communication development. In 2020 she was selected to be a Dalai Lama Fellow; joining a selected cohort of emerging social innovators and change makers. She is passionate about women empowerment and nurturing women leaders of the future. She was involved in the DreamGirls Academy, providing mentorship opportunities to young girls from underprivileged communities. She was recognized as a Positive Role Model in the Western Cape and the Joint Winner of the accolade for South Africa at the 10th Gender Mainstream Awards 2022. Her purpose is to activate unimaginable transformation. She strives to leave people, places, and organisations better than how she finds them.

In the corner on this episode is Qhawekazi Mdikane, a seasoned marketer, brand strategist and PR and social media maestro, who carries 18 years of marketing skills and experience. She leads brand teams and partner agencies that build some of the most iconic local and global brands in the South African market. Her dedication, quality of skill, leadership and creative mindset has placed her at the helm of Momentum Corporate as the Chief Marketing Officer. She has a strong and keen eye for finding intersections that create unexpected, relevant, and bottom-driven strategies in marketing making her a sought after thinker in the industry. Her knowledge, aptitudes and skills towards marketing and communications are spread across an array of expertise which she gained in her various roles within the marketing discipline: insight management, innovations, strategic communications, brand building, risk, reputational management and leadership to name but a few. Notably, Qhawe, as she is affectionately known, is celebrated in the industry for some of the most iconic and biggest marketing campaigns: Introducing South Africans to their first and now widely enjoyed flavoured beer Flying Fish during her time as Marketing Manager at South African Breweries, launching to market the biggest hip hop asset in African pop culture – Castle Lite Unlocks and leading the social media and public relations team as the culture champion on the legendary KFC Proposal, a viral campaign that won the hearts of South Africans and the world in 2019, creating positive sentiment and over 100 million rands worth of earned media coverage. Qhawe's achievements to date have not gone unnoticed, she is a recipient of several awards in the industry. Having bagged the SABRE award - Food and Beverage, New Generation Social Media & Digital award – a gold for Most Viral Campaign and a gold for Best Community Engagement Award, a silver for Best Low Budget Campaign, a silver for Best Social Media Reach from an event for KFC Proposal and AMASA award for delivering a breakthrough KFC T20 Cricket Campaign, a Marketing Excellence Award for the Flying Fish Launch and a Gold PRISM Award for Castle Lite Unlocks. This nonconformist, uber-thinker and dynamite of a leader takes pride in opening the door and keeping it open for upcoming marketers and colleagues within the industry. Powered by her motto, “life is tricky baby, stay in your magic”, Qhawe applies this in her everyday life to keep her head up. Her magic outside her career is in her active life as a runner, photography, and family life. In all her power is also a mother to her daughter, Khanya and wife to her entrepreneur husband Sakhe Mdikane.

Thabani Khumalo chats to Carel Nolte the Chief Marketing Officer at Purple Group, which owns the likes of Easy Equities, Easy Properties and Easy Crypto just to name a few. The group has made investments accessible and are set to reach 1 million users soon in less than 10 years of being in the market. Carel leads all branding, marketing and communications for the total group and its subsidiaries.

Born and raised in Soweto, Thulani Sibeko is an enthusiastic, collaborative, optimistic and assertive marketer and business leader. Since graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Accounting Major) in 1992, Thulani has held different marketing roles in different industries and companies over the past 25 years, including Gillette, Polaroid, Procter & Gamble, Vodacom, Hollard and Nedbank. After serving as the Group Executive for Marketing, Communication, and Corporate Affairs at Nedbank for 6 years, Thulani joined the Standard Bank Group in January 2018, as the Head of Marketing and Communication for the Group. Since January 2021, Thulani has been the Chief Brand and Marketing Officer of the Standard Bank Group, leading the marketing and communication functions across 20 countries. He is a member of the Standard Bank Group Leadership Council (GLC). Qualifications: Master in Business Administration (Henley) Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (California State University, Sacramento) Graduate Certificate in Business Studies (Harvard Extension School)

Sydney Mbhele is a chartered marketer (SA) with a proven track record in building brands and markets. His experience stretches Financial Services (Banking, Insurance, and Investments), Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), and Telecoms. He has worked in Marketing, Communications, Sales, Corporate Affairs and led major brands for organisations that include the likes Unilever (local & Global roles in London), SABMiller Nedbank, Liberty, and Cell C. Sydney is currently the Group Executive: Brand at Sanlam Group (a member of Group Exco), and Chairman & board member of the Marketing Association of South Africa. Sydney is also the co-founder and Chairman of Mentor A Boy Child (a non-profit organisation) focusing on helping young boys become better men for society.

My guest, Mzamo Masito is the chief marketing officer for Google Africa. His role entails bringing to life Google's mission to organise the world's information and make it universally accessible and be helpful, useful for every African, so that Google's users and partners can grow in Africa.

I spoke to the CMO for Nando's, the South African fast food chain that specialises in flame-grilled peri-peri style chicken. Founded in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1987, Nando's operates over 1,200 outlets in 35 countries. We spoke about all things creativity, what makes him and his team tick and the changes the marketing industry needs as he sits in the Marketing Association of South Africa's board. Doug Place is the Chief Marketing Officer of Nando's Africa, Middle East, and South Asia. Prior to Nando's Doug held the position of Marketing Executive of Ster-Kinekor Theatres. Before joining Ster-Kinekor, Doug worked at Cadbury South Africa. He has received more than 100 international and national marketing and advertising awards including 3 Loeries Grand Prix awards. Most recently Nando's won the Marketing Organisation of the Year award at the annual Marketing Achievement Awards where he was also a finalist for Marketer of the Year. Doug is a Wits graduate and holds a B.Com B.Com Honours Degree (cum laude), and was the top graduate student in both Marketing and across all disciplines in the business school. He is also a registered Chartered Marketer (CMSA), sits on the Professional Designations Board (PDB) and is a board member of MASA.

Khensani Nobanda is the Group Executive for Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Nedbank. Her marketing career spans 18 years, working across a number of local and multinational organisations. Her first marketing role was at Unilever where she started as the Rama Assistant Brand Manager. Kensi's Unilever career culminated in her running the Skin Category for Unilever in Africa, Middle East and Turkey, based in Dubai. She has also worked at Diageo, South African Breweries and Vodacom where she was before she joined Nedbank in September 2017. Kensi is passionate about brands, especially brands that are purpose led. 

On S1 E2 of the CMO corner. I chatted with a good friend/brother/mentor of mine. He is the perfect guest as we celebrate Africa Month in May. Everything he does is centered around Africa. Having been to all 55 countries in the Africa. Thebe is the founder of Brand Leadership Group which is a marketing group that has shaped brands like PRASA, Transnet, UNISA and many more SOEs. He has been recognized by New African Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans. He founded Brand Africa 100: Africa's Best Brands, the only pan-African research and ranking of brands in Africa, to promote excellence in building brands in Africa. He is the founder and Principal of Africa Brand Leadership Academy (ABLA) which empowers and inspires Africa-focused global brand leadership.  With a corporate career that started at Colgate Palmolive in New York and concluded as chief marketing officer for NIKE for Africa, he won over 75 awards in branding and marketing communication globally.

I wanted to chat about the future of marketing, and there is no better way than to chat to Musa Kalenga, Chief Future Officer at the Brave Group and the CEO of BridgeLabs. We touched on his entrepreneurial journey, the switch to being corporate head, ditching all of it to go back into entrepreneurship, the future of marketing with all the shifts we see and how brands and marketers can start showing value through the humanization of brands. Have a listen

Do you want to come into a world of intimate and real conversations to learn from some of the leading current and former Chief Marketing Officers and Marketing Executives? Well, this is the podcast for you! Join Thabani Khumalo (CM SA) as he picks their brains on brands, their marketing journey and more