
South African CMOs shared hard‑won advice, urging peers to pursue bold, visionary moves that redefine brands rather than chase incremental tweaks. They stress protecting a brand’s emotional truth, granting marketers freedom to experiment, and blending creativity with data‑driven insight. Consistency, genuine customer appreciation, and a relentless focus on fundamentals were highlighted as essential for sustainable growth. The collective guidance underscores that a clear, authentic brand strategy is the North Star for navigating today’s fast‑changing market.

The Mark Awards 2026 has launched a standalone Partnering for Growth Award to spotlight client‑agency collaborations that generate sustained business growth. Independent Agency Search & Selection (IAS) will sponsor the award, with CEO Johanna McDowell emphasizing its alignment with IAS’s focus on...

Rapt Group ended its three‑year partnership with Signal Hill Products, losing roughly R60 million of its R200 million turnover and prompting a restructuring that trims 19 roles across media, strategy, creative and activations. CEO Garreth van Vuuren is moving into an operational, margin‑focused...

Brands are increasingly pulling media strategy and buying in‑house, a trend dubbed “conscious uncoupling.” Executives cite greater accountability, faster decision‑making, and tighter budget control as primary drivers. Agencies are no longer full‑service partners but are retained for niche expertise, audits,...

South Africa’s top ad strategists warn that while AI can accelerate data collection and pattern detection, the true strategic advantage remains human deep thinking and cultural insight. Leaders such as Pepe Marais and Neo Makhele stress that only a small minority who...

The article warns that AI‑driven content saturation and the rise of fabricated experts are eroding trust in both media and brand communications. Over 50 non‑existent "experts" have been quoted in UK outlets, illustrating how cheap synthetic voices infiltrate reputable sources....
![#Outlook: How CMOs Will Measure Success in 2026 [Part 2 of 2]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://admin.marklives.com/temp/images/1770630728.png)
South African CMOs are redefining success for 2026 amid a sluggish 1.4% GDP outlook. Rather than increasing campaign volume, they will focus on brand purpose, customer loyalty, and measurable commercial impact. Executives highlighted the blend of AI‑driven analytics with human...