The Lead Creative
Episodes
Marketing Leaders on the Impact of AI, Culture and Creativity in Brand Building
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
CMOs are balancing speed, AI and increasing complexity while trying to keep brands distinctive and relevant. In this episode of Marketers’ Brief on ...
Marketing Is Business: Building Lasting Brands and Communities
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Marketing has never had more tools. But has it ever had less patience?In this episode of The Lead Creative, host Mongezi Mtati engages with Dale Hefer...
Unpacking Client and Agency Relationships That Deliver Results
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As AI-generated answers and generative engines reshape how brands are discovered, marketing teams are forced to rethink visibility, experimentation an...
Marketing Leadership In Complex African Markets: Lindy-Lou Alexander, CEO of WPP Open X Africa
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Lindy-Lou Alexander, CEO of WPP OpenX Africa, shares how global brands like Coca-Cola stay relevant across Africa’s diverse markets. Working with Th...
How KFC Thailand Builds A Culture of Brave Advertising, Marketing and Creative Work
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with Suhayl Limbada, CMO of KFC Thailand, on mirroring culture, earning creative bravery and building global work that resonates locall...
Building a Loved Challenger Brand That Encourages People To Buy Less Not More
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to build a challenger brand with integrity in a market dominated by global players? In this episode of The Lead Creative, Mongezi Mt...
Creativity, Marketing Effectiveness and the Cost of Short-Termism: Effie Awards Trends
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Marketing effectiveness is under pressure as short-term metrics continue to shape decision-making. Recorded at the Effie Awards South Africa as part o...
Building Loved Brands in an Age of Data and AI
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What separates effective marketing from short-term noise? Recorded at the Effie Awards South Africa, this conversation with Thami Majola, Executive He...
The Secret Behind Vaseline’s Advertising and Consumer Success
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Simple work is often the hardest to make. In this episode, Kenosi Matsebatlela, Head of Marketing for Vaseline, and Tumi Moutlana, Creative Director a...
Most Advertising Is Afraid to Succeed: Chasing Trends Hurts Brands
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Advertising faces a growing challenge: too much work is created to avoid failure rather than pursue meaningful success. In this episode, creative cons...
From Chappies to Cadbury: How Mondelez Builds Heritage Brands That Lead Culture
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How do heritage brands stay relevant in a world full of choice? At the Effie Awards South Africa, we sat down with Arpan Sur, CMO of the Sub-Saharan A...
Marketing That Matters: Vaseline, Heritage and the Power of Insight
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The challenge for many leading brands is staying relevant in categories where functional claims and pricing pressure can erode brand value. As part of...
Marketing Connects Business with People and Communities: Brian Yuyi, CEO of MASA
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How do we ensure that marketing has a seat at the business table? That’s one of the questions explored with Brian Yuyi, CEO of the Marketing Associa...
Pete Case on How Enduring Client-Agency Partnerships Build Better Brands
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brands grow through trust and shared ambition. Pete Case, CEO and Creative Chairman of Ogilvy South Africa, joins The Lead Creative to discuss how lon...
Insights from 41 Years of Advertising and Marketing Measurement
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Advertising needs more than good creative; it needs solid measurement. Oresti Patricios, CEO of Ornico, has spent over 40 years tracking how advertisi...
Trapped in the Busyness, Not the Business of Advertising: Dr Pepe Marais
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In our IMC Conference series, we reconnected with Dr Pepe Marais, Co-Founder and Group Chief Creative Officer of Joe Public, two years after our last ...
The Loeries Measures More Than Advertising and Marketing Trends: Preetesh Sewraj
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At the IMC Conference, Preetesh Sewraj, CEO of The Loeries, joined Mongezi Mtati to discuss whether the creative industry has too many awards, echoing...
The Bookmarks and Why Boring Advertising is Costly
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning creativity takes courage, trust, and deep insight. In this episode of The Lead Creative with Bizcommunity, Steph van Niekerk (ECD, TBWA\...
Conspicuous by Design: Why Standing Out Wins in Marketing and Advertising
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At the IMC Conference, Dean Oelschig, Founder and MD of Halo, discusses creative bravery, the rise of independent agencies, and how Halo’s new age...
Awarding Creative Excellence and Rewarding Effectiveness
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Great work still matters and it’s being recognised. Chris Borain, Executive Director of IAB South Africa, shares how The Bookmarks celebrate creativ...
Research Insights: Purpose-Led Brands Earn Greater Consumer Trust
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stacey Jayne Saggers, Commercial Growth Director at Kantar, shares insights from the Mzansi Consumer Barometer, recorded at the IMC Conference.We expl...
From The Super Bowl to Nando’s: A Conversation with Melusi Mhlungu
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From working on Super Bowl ads in the US to leading Nando’s as their newly appointed lead creative agency in South Africa, Melusi Mhlungu, Founder a...
AI, Creativity and the Future of African Marketing: Dr Gillian Hammah
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Gillian Hammah, CMO at Aya Data, joins us at the IMC Conference to discuss balancing AI with creativity. She explains why agencies must price for...
CX, Effectiveness and the Future of Brand Building with Mandisa Theko-Khitsane
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How do marketers balance creativity with delivering business impact? In this episode of The Lead Creative, I speak with Mandisa Theko-Khitsane, Chief ...
Banning Campaigns and Reimagining Brands: Charl Bassil
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At this year’s IMC Conference, Charl Bassil, Chief Brand Officer of the BBC, shared how marketing continues to shape business, culture, and the futu...
Cannes Lions: Cultural Nuance and Global Impact with Xolisa Dyeshana and Saf Sindhi
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Mon...
Human Truth Shapes Destination Marketing: Thembisile Sehloho
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 spea...
The Art of Reinvention and Creative Freedom: Jill Greenberg
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Short-Term Thinking in Advertising and Marketing Erodes Brand Growth: Gillian Rightford
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 lo...
Converting Strangers into an Engaged Community
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 m...
Crafting Iconic Stories That Influence Generations: Angus Gibson
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Yi...
From Resonance to Relevance: The Role of Culture in Marketing, Advertising and Brand Growth
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Marketing and advertising have always shaped culture and influenced society. Yet, many brands today lack cultural depth, focusing more on data and sho...
People, Purpose and Profit: Growing Brands and Empowering Communities
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Certifi...
The Science of Marketing: Sydney Mbhele
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Marketing has evolved into a discipline that demands measurable impact and accountability.On this episode of The Lead Creative, Sydney Mbhele, the C...
Balance Brand Equity and Short-Term Results in a Digital-First World: Christa Kruger
06 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Consumers avoid traditional advertising while consuming on-demand content and utilising ad-free platforms, leaving brands struggling to connect. In th...
How Challenger Brands Build Community and Trust
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Avashnee Moodley, Head of Marketing at OPPO South Africa, shares how challenger brands can thrive in saturated markets. She reveals the strategies tha...
Creative Effectiveness and Strategy in a Fast-Paced Market: Margaret Johnson
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Lead Creative, host Mongezi Mtati engages with Margaret Johnson OBE, Group CEO of Leagas Delaney, in an insightful discussion o...
Seth Godin: Your Brand Has A Strategy, Not An Advertising or Marketing Problem
24 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, the host of The Lead Creative, Mongezi Mtati talks to Seth Godin, author of This Is Strategy, about why brands mistake strategy issue...
Reviving a Brand by Embedding it in Culture and Reclaiming Relevance: Charl Bassil
17 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Creative Pulse Behind VW: Bridget Harpur
10 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mongezi Mtati talks to Bridget Harpur, Head of Marketing for Volkswagen South Africa (VW SA), about the secrets behind VW’s enduring cultural releva...
Compelling Content for Audience Growth and Brand Sponsorships
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Nicole Engelbrecht, creator of the True Crime South Africa podcast, shares her journey of building a loyal audience and attracting br...
Balancing Creativity and Brand Values in Influencer Marketing
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Thando Gambushe, an FMCG influencer marketing lead, joins The Lead Creative to share her expertise on balancing creativity and brand values in influen...
Building Resilient Brands Through Ethical Leadership: Bonang Mohale
25 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Rebuilding Brand Relevance: Nontokozo Madonsela
12 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rebuilding relevance for established brands can be a challenge. In this podcast, Nontokozo Madonsela, Group CMO of Momentum Metropolitan Holdings, exp...
Breaking Cultural Barriers for Authentic Brand Engagement: Steve Babaeko
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Brave and Authentic Brand Communication
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Jessica Wheeler, Marketing Director at Nando's South Africa, as she reveals the secrets behind Nando's authentic brand communication....
The Secret to Higher Productivity in Creative Teams: Jack Skeels:
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
CEO of AgencyAgile Jack Skeels shares why traditional management structures are holding back creative agencies and how you can change this. The author...
Building Resilient Brands with Generational Relevance: Abey Mokgwatsane
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In our latest podcast episode, Abey Mokgwatsane, the CMO of Investec, discusses the essence of brand endurance amidst market shifts. Drawing from his...
Unleashing Brand Potential Through Marketing Innovation: Khensani Nobanda
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a crowded market where people are bombarded with marketing and advertising messages at every turn, where brands are clamouring for attention, what ...
The Impact of Diversity on Marketing and Business Growth: Veli Ngubane
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we sit down with Veli Ngubane, of Avatar Agency Group, to explore how diversity isn't just a buzzword in marketing and business—...
Crafting Connections and Shaping Perceptions Through Brand Storytelling: Lebo Madiba
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this thought-provoking episode of the Lead Creative Podcast, host Mongezi Mtati engages with Lebo Madiba, founder and managing director of PR Power...
Bridging Global Vision and African Creativity - The H&M South Africa Story: Caroline Nelson
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Explore the fusion of global innovation and African creativity with H&M South Africa in this insightful episode. Host Mongezi Mtati talks with Car...
Fusing Marketing, Tech, and Creativity for Better Customer Engagement: Musa Kalenga
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, the intersection of technology, marketing, and creativity is not just inevitable; it's essential. Bran...
AI in Digital Strategy and the Creative Process: Bra Willy Seyama
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The digital landscape is continuously evolving, from the transformative role of AI to its impact on the future of digital marketing and the creative i...
The Role of Brand Equity in Weathering Economic Storms: Ivan Moroke
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brands wrestle with the idea of increasing sales and building brand equity, which is often exacerbated by a tough economy. In this episode, a seasoned...
Cultivating Communities, Collaborating with Brands: Brent Lindeque
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Brent Lindeque, the founder of Good Things Guy, shares insights on building a platform that connects communities and remaining releva...
Advertising and Media Consumption Trends in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa: Charles Stuart
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The ever-evolving media consumption landscape affects advertising spend, changes consumer behaviour and impacts brand engagement. PwC's Entertain...
AI, Customer-Centricity, and the Evolution of Client-Agency Relationships: Sechaba Motsieloa
30 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the ever-evolving customer landscape, brands and agencies face the constant challenge of staying ahead of the curve. This episode features insights...
Signal Over Noise: Chris Do on How to Stand Out on Social Media as a Creative
02 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Signal Over Noise: How to Stand Out on Social Media as a CreativeIn today's noisy world, it can be difficult to stand out as a creative person. B...
A Creative's Guide to Collaborating with Multinational Brands and Steps to Earn Your Worth: Bonolo Chepape
26 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Collaborating with multinational brands helps independent creatives to grow their businesses and reach more audiences. Bonolo Chepape, founder and Cre...
Build Community Engagement and Partner with Sponsors: Fred Roed
12 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Building an engaged community is essential for creators to spread their message and contribute to their chosen cause. But what does it take to build a...
Creative Collaboration at Scale to Help Change Society: Lesley Williams
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Solving complex societal challenges requires collaboration and diversity of thought. Lesley Williams, CEO of Tshimologong Precinct, has been connectin...
Monetizing Content Creation and Collaborating with Brands: Alphi Mkhwanazi
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Monetizing content creation is an art, and like all art, its brilliance lies in authenticity. Alphi Mkhwanazi, a maestro admired on TikTok, Instagram,...
The Personal Brand Playbook for Creatives: Mpho Monareng
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Establishing a trusted personal brand while growing a creative agency is no simple task. In this episode, we explore the journey of WOW Media founder,...
Tribes, Trust, and Transformation: Why the Creator Economy Matters for Marketers: Lebo Lion
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In a noisy marketplace, brands need innovative ways to reach their audiences. Enter the creator economy, a growing ecosystem valued at $104 billion in...
Why Brands Should Create Brave and Provocative Advertising: Ahmed Tilly
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, creative activist and founder of Number 10 – A Creative Consultancy, Ahmed Tilly, shares why brave and provocative advertising is s...
Being Relevant and Authentic For Generations As A Creative: Sello Maake kaNcube
01 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Actor, playwright, and director Sello Maake kaNcube shares his secrets to longevity in the creative industries, including his work on the soapie Gener...
The Importance of Brand Presence in Economic Downturns: Refilwe Maluleke
13 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In today's tough economy, brands and consumers are facing unprecedented challenges. Unemployment is high, inflation is soaring, and people are fe...
Building Your Community and Personal Brand: Sol Phenduka
06 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A strong personal brand in the creative, media and other industries helps to position you and enables your work to reach a wider audience. Podcaster, ...
Navigating the Brand, Podcaster and Content Creator Partnership Landscape: Mashudu Modau
28 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Podcasters, content creators, and brands see great benefits from collaborating with each other. For creators, it can be a way to reach a wider audienc...
TikTok Insights for Brands, Content Creators and Agencies: Greg Bailie
24 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
TikTok is the fastest-growing social network with over 1 billion active users. Its short-form, user-generated content drives trends and sub-cultures a...
Stay Ahead of Trends and Create the Future: Jarred Cinman
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In today's rapidly changing world, it is more important than ever for brands and agencies to be able to create the future. This means being able ...
Nurturing Successful Agency-Client Relationships: Khaya Dlanga
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Successful client-agency relationships take great effort and lead to even greater returns, which in turn ensure ROI. Marketing Executive, bestselling ...
Harness the Power of Storytelling to Rise Above the Noise: Jana Marx
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In today's crowded digital landscape – it can be challenging for your message to rise above the noise. Whether you're a marketer, a conten...
The Kenyan Perspective On Digital Marketing Trends Shaping Industries: Mark Kaigwa
20 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most significant digital marketing trends in Kenya is the role of social media, particularly Twitter, which has played a critical role duri...
How Brands and Agencies can Collaborate to Produce Impactful Creative Work: Craig Rodney
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore some of the work required in building a great agency, working successfully with clients, and potentially getting acquired....
The Power of Behavioural Science in Marketing and Advertising
05 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, the Vice Chairman of Ogilvy UK, Rory Sutherland, unpacks why consumer behaviour is driven by seemingly irrational thinking that makes...
African brands changing the continent’s narrative on the global stage: Thebe Ikalafeng
30 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
African brands from Kenya, South Africa to Nigeria and everywhere across the continent are making strides in shaping the continent’s narrative. In t...
Compelling presentations that inspire action
22 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bringing your creative ideas to life is an impressive feat, but presenting them in a way that inspires action is what truly counts. This is where Rich...
Authentic brand and influencer storytelling
15 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A compelling brand story helps to win customers, increase ROI and market share, and social media can help to amplify these stories. In the first epis...
Become a content creator and partner with brands
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Building credibility to become a sought-after content creator and brand influencer takes time and effort. Co-founder of MomSays and content creator, V...
Creating Memorable Experiences: Dean Carlson
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you are creating ads, campaigns that transform our culture or events, understanding the art of creating memorable experiences sets you apart. ...
The role of purpose in growing brands, agencies and people: Pepe Marais
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The role of defining your purpose in building businesses, agencies, and creative teams, is as important as strategy and planning. The co-founder and G...
Advertising that sticks and generates ROI: Dean Oelschig
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Creating memorable advertising that sticks leads to brand growth, increased client ROI and agency growth. Founder and MD of Halo, Dean Oelschig tells ...
Re-imagine work and rethink creative collaboration: Palesa Sibeko
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Teams that create the most compelling work and win customers tend to be part of businesses that constantly rethink their systems and engagement. Co-Fo...
Design Thinking in Brand and Digital Strategy with Craig Hannabus
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Design thinking as a collaborative approach to solving business problems has led to better brand strategy, effective digital marketing and improved br...
Seth Godin on The Practice and Finding Your Smallest Viable Audience
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Marketing legend, entrepreneur and the author of 20 books that have been translated into 37 languages, Seth Godin joins us to share some of his latest...
Google and YouTube collaboration opportunities for brands and content creators: A conversation with Asha Patel
23 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Content creators, brands and agencies are constantly looking for the most relevant information around collaborating with some of the world’s leading...
Nonhlanhla Dlamini on being relevant as a content creator
15 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Creating content that resonates in mainstream media takes empathy and relevance which are not always easy to muster. The Founder of Ndlovukazi Concept...
Brand crisis communications: Lorato Tshenkeng
01 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Communicating during a brand crisis requires a thought-out strategy with key messaging that goes beyond a scripted PR message. Communications speciali...
Collaborating with Content Creators: Donovan Goliath
25 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Content creators bring their unique and authentic essence to brand messaging in a way that wins over audiences. Comedian and content creator, Donovan ...
Seamless digital and offline customer experiences
18 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Advertising and marketing often don’t match what customers experience when interacting with brand teams on the ground. In this episode, Head of Grou...
Compelling marketing for diverse audiences: Tinyiko Mageza
11 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Marketing to diverse audiences effectively helps brands to remain authentic and relevant at every human touchpoint, where data helps to make more info...
Sechaba Khoaele on Creating Culturally Relevant Work
29 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Some brands create advertising that resonates, wins share of wallet and hearts, while others fall flat and lose their popularity. Sechaba Khoaele, the...
Influencer and brand collaborations - Lelo Boyana
21 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Successful brand and influencer collaborations help to increase sales, enable better human connections between brands and customers, as well as contri...
Mike Sharman on creating viral brand content that increases ROI and wins customers
14 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Creating viral brand content has many advantages, including winning customers, generating sales and being part of real human conversations. Co-founder...
About The Lead Creative
01 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Lead Creative podcast hosts a series of conversations with great minds behind some of the leading brands, businesses, organisations and top ideas ...
Abey Mokgwatsane on leadership in brands and agencies
12 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Leadership in the creative industry can contribute to the kind of society we want to build and to influence brands positively. In this episode of The ...
Nkgabiseng Motau on the role of collaboration
05 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The creative industry is filled with massive global players, where only a few small agency teams tend to breakthrough. In this episode of The Lead Cre...
Melissa Attree discusses the rise of on-demand content
29 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Traditional broadcast platforms such as TV and radio continue to be important for content consumption and advertising. In this episode we are joined b...