#ThisWeek on MarkLives MEDIA: Nick Grubb on Kagiso Connect • #NextWeek: WhatsApp in the Media Mix
Kagiso Connect CEO Nick Grubb announced the company’s strategic move beyond its radio roots into insurance, lifestyle services, and data analytics. The shift reflects broader ad‑spend migration toward diversified, performance‑driven channels. Grubb highlighted that these new verticals will leverage the firm’s audience insights to create bundled offerings for advertisers. The next issue will explore WhatsApp’s role as a low‑friction, conversational medium for brand‑consumer engagement.
#OnTheRadar: Luckin Joins Boundless
Fran Luckin has been appointed co‑chief creative officer of independent agency Boundless, joining Roanna Williams. Luckin departs VML South Africa, where she helped rebuild the firm after recent mergers, and brings a reputation for marrying creative excellence with human‑centred storytelling. The...
#ThisWeek on MarkLives MEDIA: Being Bruce Whitfield • #NextWeek: Real-World Brand Experiences Return
Veteran broadcaster Bruce Whitfield is launching a new News24 business series that will interview South Africa’s economic leaders and explore growth sectors. The program aims to provide in‑depth analysis and elevate public discourse on the country’s post‑pandemic recovery. Meanwhile, KLA’s...
#ThisWeek on MarkLives MEDIA: Media24’s Shift Toward Performance-Led Publishing • #NextWeek: Being Bruce Whitfield
Media24 announced a strategic pivot toward performance‑led publishing, consolidating advertising, content marketing, and data analytics into a single commercial engine. The platform is built to deliver measurable campaign performance rather than relying solely on traditional inventory metrics. By unifying these...
#MasterclassNotes: Why Distinctiveness Is Now a Priority for Marketers, Agencies
At the 2025 AdForum Worldwide Summit, marketers declared agency distinctiveness a top priority. Research cited shows brands that invest in differentiation grow 170% faster than the market. Agencies such as Wonderhood, Publicis, Samy, Dept, and others showcased clear positioning, brave...
The Jingle Is Dead — Long Live Sonic Language
South African marketers are still treating audio branding as a simple jingle, while global brands have moved to multilayered sonic ecosystems that include adaptive stems, voice personas and spatial mixes. Fintech leaders such as Capitec are already deploying full sonic...
#ThisWeek on MarkLives MEDIA: Innovations Rewriting Media Rulebook • #NextWeek: WPP SA Media Incubator
This week MarkLives MEDIA highlighted six South African media leaders discussing the innovations that reshaped the industry in 2025, ranging from AI‑driven content creation to programmatic television buying. The upcoming issue will feature an exclusive interview with Merissa Himraj, WPP Media’s...
#TheMarketer: What SA CMOs Would Advise Their Peers
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,...
Adland’s Top Strategists on AI, Tools & the Strategic Human Advantage
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...
#ClicksnTricks: The 3′ Banana & the Great Content Credibility Collapse
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....
#TheMarkAwards 2026: New Partnering for Growth Award
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...
#ThisWeek on MarkLives MEDIA: Conscious Uncoupling — Media Inhousing • #NextWeek: How Saffers Eat
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,...
#OnTheRadar: Rapt Restructures in Wake of Account Loss
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...
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#Outlook: How CMOs Will Measure Success in 2026 [Part 2 of 2]
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...