#BigReads2018: Adland’s most read about people in 2018

by Herman Manson (@marklives) We list the most-read-about people on MarkLives during 2018.

1. Young, Gifted & Killing It

by Veli Ngubane  From a water-polo playing strategist to a soloist art director who sang for the pope, a radio co-host making money on YouTube and South Africa’s most-sought-after hip-hop photographer, we went out looking for the youngsters who are gifted and killing it in SA’s creative industries today. They add to the already rich diversity we are discovering — and celebrating — in our industry.

2. #RIPKeithRose

Keith Rose was the director behind some of South Africa’s most-iconic television advertising, including BMW’s “Mouse” and Allan Gray’s “Beautiful”, to name only two.

• See: RIP Keith Rose — industry reaction and tributes and Further industry tributes

3. Mzamo Masito appointed Google CMO for SSA

Google announced that it had appointed Mzamo Masito as its chief marketing officer for sub-Saharan Africa. Masito joined Google from Vodacom and had previously held senior positions at Nike and Unilever.

4. Khaya Dlanga became CMO of rain

Khaya Dlanga joined South Africa’s new data-only mobile network, rain, as chief marketing officer and group exco member from 8 November 2018, to build rain’s brand “into something that is loved by consumers, produce really cool marketing campaigns, and, very importantly, drive our sales by getting consumers to our website (and, in future, retail and sales channels, as well),” according to the appointment announcement.

5. Shaka Sisulu acquired majority stake in Retroviral

Shaka Sisulu, entrepreneur and founder of digital and social media agency Plum, acquired a personal 51% stake in Retroviral Digital Communications. Mike Sharman, Retroviral co-founder, CEO and chief creative strategist, retained 49% ownership.

“With [my] becoming a shareholder of Retroviral, the two businesses will work in tandem,” said Sisulu. “It is our vision to grow our combined revenues from around R30m to over R100m in five years through this alliance.”

6. Refilwe Maluleke appointed Yellowwood MD

Marketing strategy consultancy, Yellowwood, announced the appointment of Refilwe Maluleke as managing director. She began her career at Unilever, where she joined the Asia, Africa, Middle East and Turkey (AAMET) brand team on the Flora, Rama, Stork and Mrs Ball’s portfolio. In 2010, she moved to SABMiller, now AB InBev, where she worked on Hansa Pilsener for five years.

7. New marketing director for Heineken SA

Heineken South Africa appointed Carmen Mohapi as marketing director across all eight brands produced by the beer and cider company. Mohapi, who has over 20 years’ experience in marketing, will oversee the marketing of the global and local brand portfolio comprising Heineken, Sol, Windhoek, Miller Genuine Draft, Amstel, Strongbow, Soweto Gold, and Tafel.

• Interview: #Marketers: Carmen Mohapi, marketing director, Heineken SA

8. New MDs for Ogilvy Group, Ogilvy Cape Town

Ogilvy South Africa announced a number of new senior appointments. Luca Gallarelli, former managing director of Ogilvy Cape Town, was promoted to MD of the Ogilvy Group (South Africa); Vicki Buys became Ogilvy CT MD; and Tassin Albertyn was appointed head of delivery.

9. New MD for King James II

Lesego Kotane was promoted to managing director of King James the Second, effective 1 August 2018. Kotane joined the King James Group as strategic planning partner five years before and had been part of the senior leadership team in Johannesburg. Former MD Charles Matterson now focuses on client service and operations.

10. Neo Mashigo now CCO at M&C Saatchi Group SA

M&C Saatchi Group SA promoted Neo Mashigo to chief creative officer. “It’s an exciting opportunity to help grow our vision of becoming one of the most-respected creative companies on the African continent. And we will do that by delivering brave, interesting and most importantly, locally relevant work,” said Mashigo at the time.

Sir Martin in happier times, featured in The Jupiter Drawing Room’s house ad announcing WPP’s acquisition of 49% of The Jupiter & Partners group.

11. Graham Warsop on Sir Martin Sorrell’s resignation

Graham Warsop, founder of The Jupiter Drawing Room & Partners, offered his personal take on the resignation of Sir Martin Sorrell as CEO of WPP, and called on the agency global holding company to offer transparent feedback on “personal misconduct” allegations levelled against Sorrell.

12. Masego Motsogi joined Grid as MD

Masego Motsogi was appointed managing director of Grid Worldwide as of 1 February 2018. She was previously managing director of Ninety9Cents Johannesburg.

• See also: Young, Gifted & Killing It: Masego Motsogi

13. Sharon Keith left Coca-Cola

The Coca-Cola Company announced the resignation of Sharon Keith, Coca-Cola Southern & East African Business Unit (SEABU) marketing director, who left to pursue other professional and personal interests. Keith’s career at The Coca-Cola Company spanned over 13 years. MarkLives.com recognised her as South Africa’s Most Admired Marketer in 2014, and the Creative Circle voted her Marketing Champion of Creativity in 2015.

14. Gala-Holten, Dyeshana took Joe Public reins

Khuthala Gala-Holten was promoted to MD and, together with ATL CCO, Xolisa Dyeshana, took full leadership of the ATL specialist agency within Joe Public United, which had also been “newly digitised”. Founding partners, Pepe Marais and Gareth Leck, and group strategic director Laurent Marty all moved across into group roles.

15. Rob McLennan exited King James II, Jenner took the helm

The creative founding partner of KJII, Rob McLennan, left the agency in September 2018. His creative partner, Graeme Jenner, took over as ECD of the Johannesburg-based agency, part of the King James Group, working closely with recently appointed MD, Lesego Kotane, to take the agency forward.

Herman Manson (@marklives) is the founder and editor of MarkLives.com.

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