In this episode, Hazel Chimhandamba, CMO of Hollard Insurance, chats to Declan about what it really means to be a commercial growth enabler. From redefining brand value to leading with data-driven creativity, Hazel shares how modern marketers can build influence in the boardroom and create brands people actually love.
We cover:
Turning purpose into performance
Building operating models that drive impact
Creating customer-led value propositions
Protecting and growing brand equity
Following the eyeballs and meeting your audience where they are
"Marketing belongs in the boardroom because that’s where growth happens.”
How do you grow a business from R80 million to R1.2 billion, nearly lose it, and then sell it to one of South Africa’s biggest retailers?
Anthony Steward, co-founder of Medicare Health and now Zorros Partners, joins Declan to share the real story behind the numbers, including everything from the humbling lessons of over-ambition to the power of focus, trust, and vulnerability in leadership.
One of the most honest, reflective conversations we’ve had yet.
From embracing agency life to knuckling down brand side, Miguel Netto’s marketing career has ticked all the boxes.
As the Head of Marketing at Bootlegger, Miguel’s coffee-fueled days are focused on building a brand that doesn't advertise but rather works to belong within your lifestyle.
Miguel chats to Declan about his (and Bootlegger’s) values of quality, consistency, and sustainability, and how these have been forged throughout his life and career journey - from competitive IRONMAN racing, to his role as Global B2B & Commercial Marketing Director at Aramex, to now leading a team at Bootlegger.
Miguel shared many pieces of advice for aspiring marketers, including:
Understand the numbers. Even if you’re a creative.
Shoot your shot. Always.
And, in the words of Miguel’s dad: If you’re going to miss the bus, miss the bus running. Which is to say, make it mean something 👊
What does it take to go from Intern to Award-Winning Marketer at Discovery Bank?
For Jody Ashworth, it’s been about curiosity, courage, and an unshakable belief in the power of behavioural science to change how we bank.
Jody shares how she’s shaping the future of financial health at Discovery Bank, from creating the brand’s beloved Discovery Bank Buddy to using AI and data to make banking more human.
Tune in to hear her take on leadership, culture, and how trusting your gut can be your biggest career advantage
In this episode, Declan chats with Alicia Jitaru, European Digital Director for M&M’s, about what really drives great marketing in a digital world.
They unpack why, despite all the new tools and tech, the fundamentals stay the same: understanding people, meeting their needs, and showing up authentically.
From “digital wizardry” to emotional connection, Alicia shares how brands can create real magic with their audiences today.
What do ultra-trail running and brand building have in common? For Amy Beachy Head, Adidas South Africa’s Brand Manager for Running & Outdoor, the answer is grit, authenticity, and putting people first.
In this episode, Amy takes us through her journey from turning down her first marketing job at a chicken farm to leading culture-driven campaigns for one of the world’s most iconic sports brands.
She shares:
How running 100km through the mountains fuels her mindset and leadership style
Why prioritising people over screens is the future of marketing and culture
Lessons from the trail that apply to every marketer chasing big goals
Whether you’re a marketer, leader, or endurance junkie, Amy’s story will leave you inspired to keep pushing forward, one step (or three stripes!) at a time.
Bianca Liapis packed her bags, moved to London without a plan, and built a global marketing career she truly loves.
In this episode, she shares the leaps of faith, moments of self-doubt, and bold mindset shifts that shaped her journey, from startups at Uber Eats to leading digital marketing at Sainsbury’s.
We talk about imposter syndrome, building trust, navigating massive change, and why her personal motto is simple: “Start before you’re ready.”
From bioengineering labs to leading global brand strategy at Danone, Nagehan Zülal Beypazar Şad has built a career shaped by purpose, creativity, and courage.
In this episode, she shares her journey from agency life to global leadership, the lessons she’s learned launching innovative campaigns at Nestlé and Danone, and her take on the future of marketing, touching on everything from AI, to cultural agility, to building brands that are a force for good.
Her message to all marketers? Be brave.
Sherilyn Shackell’s journey is anything but ordinary. From running her family’s fashion store at 16, to a 20-year career in executive search, to surviving a life-threatening illness that sparked the creation of The Marketing Academy, she’s learned what it truly takes to lead a life full of joy and impact.
In this episode, Sherilyn shares:
The “112-hour rule” that reveals how you really spend your time
The 10-second mindset shift that can transform your leadership
How CMOs can, and should, step into the CEO role
Packed with hard-won wisdom and practical tools, this conversation will inspire you to take a beat, rethink your priorities, and lead with purpose.
Listen now and start designing a life you actually want to live.
Bronwyn Pretorius, CMO at Ackermans, believes that “social media is the bloodline of any brand”, and in this candid conversation, she unpacks what it really takes to build a brand that connects deeply with consumers in 2025.
From her early career pivot from law into marketing, to leading campaigns at Shoprite, Capitec, Mukuru, and now Ackermans, Bronwyn’s journey is a masterclass in versatility, resilience, and people-first leadership.
In this episode, we dive into:
Why understanding your consumer’s life stage is the golden thread of brand building
How to balance AI, data, and creativity without losing the human touch
Leadership lessons on striving for excellence and empowering teams
The future of social media, content, and attention as today’s true marketing currency
Packed with insights and inspiration, this episode is a must-listen for marketers, leaders, and creatives shaping the next chapter of retail and brand building.
🎧 Listen now and learn from one of South Africa’s leading marketing voices.
Marketing isn’t about making ads anymore, it’s about being part of the culture.
In this episode, we chat with Natasha Maharaj, Global Brands Director at The HEINEKEN Company, about her 20+ year journey in the industry and how she’s stayed ahead of the curve.
Natasha shares why she believes we need AI along with human touch to create truly powerful marketing and how letting go of control can spark even greater creativity.
“It’s not how fast you drive, it’s how late you brake.”
That’s just one of the perspective-shifting insights Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman of Ogilvy UK, drops in this Marketing Masterclass with Jon Ratcliffe.
From the overlooked power of long-form copy to why YouTube has become the world’s customer support hotline, Rory unpacks the quirks of human behaviour, the role of creativity in an AI-driven world, and why occasional failure is proof you’re trying hard enough.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
Why efficiency metrics can’t replace true creativity
How breakthrough ideas often come from lucky accidents
Why video has become the dominant way people solve problems
The future value of human ingenuity in the age of AI
Witty, surprising, and packed with perspective-shifting ideas from one of advertising’s most original thinkers.
Lay’s Brand Manager Aboobaker Hassim joins Loren and Kele to unpack what marketing means in 2025, from sports partnerships to social media, and from career pivots to the future of AI.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why storytelling is the true power of marketing
How sport and food create shared cultural moments
The career advice that shaped Aboo’s path
What’s working (and not working) in today’s digital landscape
Aboo's curiosity about AI and what it means for brands
The influence of culture in creating effective localisation strategies
A candid, inspiring conversation on values, creativity, and building brands people truly connect with.
Part 3 of 3 from our Speaker Series, recorded live in partnership with Red & Yellow Creative School of Business.
From Unilever to PepsiCo and now Growth Director at RCL, Le-Anne Bartman Engelbrecht has built brands, led categories, and broken the internet with some of South Africa’s most viral campaigns.
In this episode, she shares lessons from running billion-rand businesses, why culture must be a lived experience, and the hard truths about ROI, innovation, and staying relevant in a two-second TikTok world.
Her mantra? Done is better. Hard work beats talent.
Marketing in 2025 demands agility, authenticity, and impact.
Revlon SA’s Heather Goate shares her insights on short-form video, the creator economy, AI in marketing, and the career mindset that will set you apart.
Packed with global brand experience and practical takeaways, this is a must-listen for marketers who want to stay ahead.
Your brand isn’t the hero, your audience is.
In this episode of Marketing Masterclass, we sit down with Tom Fenwick-Smith, Senior Conceptual Creative & Strategy Social Lead at VodafoneThree, to explore what it really means to be social-first in today’s world.
From feature films to TikTok, Tom’s journey shows how bold ideas, creator partnerships, and a willingness to take risks can transform brands.
He shares:
Why creators are key to building brand authenticity
How to sell risky ideas to risk-averse people
Why network sideways is career-changing advice
How to turn your quirks and “weird” into your greatest USP
Packed with insights on creativity, social strategy, and brand building, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the future of marketing.
In this episode of Marketing Masterclasses, Declan and Rebecca sit down with Liezel Swiegers, Marketing Manager at Naked, the AI-driven insurance disruptor.
Liezel shares her journey from Takealot to Naked, the lessons she’s learned building a brand that stands out in a saturated industry, and why the Naked Difference is reshaping customer relationships in insurance.
Expect insights on:
How to create content people want to share on social media
Why building in-house creative capability can be a superpower
The hardest challenges in measuring marketing ROI
Leadership lessons and advice for future marketers
Her personal mantra: get off the beaten track
A fresh, future-focused conversation that blends creativity, strategy, and authenticity.
Part 2 of 3 from our Speaker Series, recorded live in partnership with Red & Yellow Creative School of Business.
William Battersby knows what it takes to turn a homegrown idea into a global success. As CEO of BOS Brands, he’s led the transformation of a proudly South African iced tea into an internationally recognised brand.
In this conversation with Verusha Maharaj, MD at Red & Yellow, William shares the lessons he’s learned from building brands across London, Cape Town, and beyond. From navigating the balance between storytelling and sales, to shaping company culture, to why innovation and authenticity are non-negotiable, this episode is packed with insights for students, marketers, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in purposeful business growth.
Listen in as William reflects on leadership, global expansion, and why your brand, not your product, is your strongest defence.
Part 1 of 3 from our Speaker Series, recorded live in partnership with Red & Yellow Creative School of Business.
From Unilever to her current role as CMO of Spur Corporation, Vuyokazi Henda’s story is one of courage, care, and conscious leadership.
In this episode, she shares her journey across global and local brands, the lessons she’s learned about resilience and purpose, and why she believes in leaving the world a little softer. We dive into the power of discovering your gifts, choosing your arena, and leading in a way that builds both people and brands.
Vuyo also talks about the future of Spur, how brands can stay relevant in a digital-first world, and the balance between heritage and innovation.
An inspiring listen for anyone who cares about leadership, marketing, and making an impact that lasts.
"When one of our campaigns performs well, it’s not just numbers on a graph, it’s jobs being created and food on the table.”
In this Marketing Masterclass, Caterina Toffoli-Metcalfe (Head of Design at Sweepsouth) shares how purpose-driven creativity and people-first leadership shaped her journey from Yuppiechef to Pernod Ricard, and why authentic impact matters more than ever.
🎧 Listen for insights on:
Why culture is built in small daily actions, not one-off events
How to lead with energy and empathy
Balancing creativity, structure, and purpose