Let's Talk Digital

Our guest this week is MD of iProspect, Clare Trafankowska and Head of Measurement Council IAB SA. According to Clare we are at the precipice of measurement and data and if we don’t act now, businesses will not be sustainable in the future. Marketers and business needs to speak the same language if marketing is going to progress along the measurement maturity curve. More importantly, leadership, organisation structure and culture are critical enablers to drive progression in measurement maturity. Clare takes us through the changing ecosystem and some of the visible challenges being experienced in the industry and offers practical steps required to get started. Sometimes all it takes is brilliant basics, with a strong foundation to set the wheels in motion. Webpage · Instagram Page

In this episode, we'll be tackling the subject of Augmented Reality or AR as we know it and how brands can tap into the AR space in creative immersive engaging experiences. I am talking to two leading experts Johan Walters, a Digital Marketing and Augmented Reality Professional. Johan has worked with both Agencies and Brands over the last 10 years to adopt AR into the Marketing Mix and Chris Holton, a product leader with experience working at a number of startups helping to drive product development and growth.

Chris joined Zappar, a UK based technology company specialising in augmented reality and computer vision, over 6 years ago. Augmented Reality allows users to experience the real world in an enhanced 3D version wherein one can find interactive digital elements. An AR app will facilitate visual, auditory, and other sensory interactive information in real-world ecosystems to enhance the experience for users. We will be demystifying AR and some of the jargon associated with it, how it can be used to build on your Metaverse strategy and connect with customers in a more meaningful way. Webpage · Instagram Page

Today I am talking to one of my favourite humans in the digital space. She is currently Senior Client Partner of Tik Tok for Business at 365 Entravision Digital who was awarded the exclusive contract to represent Tik Tok in SA. She has a solid 12 year experience in digital media, sales and innovation having worked at Ad Dynamo with brands such as Twitter & Spotify. Tik Tok is a world of worlds where everyone finds their space. Listen out for interesting insights and ways brands can start tapping into the power of Tik Tok.

Today we continue with the conversation with my next guest Nomonde Ngxola. Nomonde is a seasoned IT Executive with a career that spans across the Consulting (Accenture) , Systems Integration (Dimension Data), Telco (Vodacom) and Specialist Banking (Investec) industries. She currently assumes the role of Country Manager for MicroStrategy South Africa, is a Business Partner to Anthill Capital Private Equity Investors, sits on the board of Mamor Capital, Sapient Soweto and Isandla Senhliziyo. Digital transformation starts with leadership and we will be chatting about some of the ways leaders can drive the narrative and take their people along the journey of digital transformation. Webpage · Instagram Page

This week we talking to two leading South African experts Wendy Case & Johan Walters from Incubeta on the topic of digital marketing maturity. Digital Marketing Maturity is a new set of marketing capabilities which is centred around tech, data, creative, analytics and measurement. The four stages of maturity are nascent, emerging, connected and multi-moment. Companies leading the way in multi-moment marketing are better able to respond to changing market dynamics and were 2X more likely to grow their market share over a 12-month period.

In the midst of the changes taking place, there four specific accelerators that stand out as the principal drivers on the fast track to maturity today:

• Building a virtuous cycle around first-party data

• Developing a true end-to-end measurement capability across channels, using predictive models

• Setting up agile performance loops based on a test-and-learn approach

• Securing access to new skills and resources

The starting place for organizations is do the DMT online assessment to take stock of where you are in the journey and then crafting a roadmap for the future.

It’s free tool for brands: https://digitalmaturitybenchmark.withgoogle.com/en/advertisers/ Webpage · Instagram Page

In partnership with Futuretech Media, we coming to an end to our Women's series with our guest Zumi Njongwe about her journey as a leader and how she views digital transformation from a media perspective.

Zumi is passionate about being a champion of the African story and leads from the Heart. She believes that self-introspection is the fundamental basis of growth. She says, "If you want to grow and innovate, push yourself to the edge of possibility, there's nothing like working across different markets. It build your character and social skills and humbles you in the process." She has been mentored by strong women and men who have shaped her leadership style, values and passions through the years. Being surrounded by like-minded and across different spectrum of the business allows one to grow exponentially. Zumi goes on to share how Nestle is transforming digitally and some of the unique capabilities they are building to be future ready. Webpage · Instagram Page

In partnership with Futuretech Media, we are continuing our women’s month series with our next guest Shihaam Abrahams Client Lead at Carat about her journey as a leader and how she views digital transformation from a media perspective.

As a digital leader, Shihaam operates in organised chaos. We have to learn to adapt and adjust to the changing environment in which we operate in. She says "I have been fortunate to be mentored by some strong female leaders who have taught me about resilience and leading from the back." Shihaam plays an active role in nurturing and growing the talent pool in South Africa. She has a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to share with other leaders. To quote Sheryl Sandberg COO of Facebook, "In the future there won't be female leaders, there will just be leaders." Webpage · Instagram Page

In celebration of Women’s month in SA, I will be chatting to some kick-ass awe-inspiring female digital leaders within the advertising industry in the coming weeks to share their incredible stories with us – their challenges, victories, & their journey to success. This series is being sponsored by Futuretech Media providing next generation technology solutions. My first digital leader is Lana Strydom Executive Head of Digital, Content and Social Marketing at Vodacom. “Digital marketing is the perfect balance between art and science. It has real business outcome.” Lana shares with us her leadership journey to date, tips on how to own your space as a female leader and tapping into her passion points. Vodacom has been 1st to test and learn when it comes to marketing automation, bringing media in-house and now with an investment in CDP. This is mainly due to Lana's relentless pursuit of digital excellence and raising the bar on digital marketing in South Africa. Webpage · Instagram Page

Our guest in this week’s podcast is Tymon Pinto, Creative Strategist at Ad Dynamo, talking to us about the Metaverse, Web 3.0, Blockchain, AR & VR and all things digital. He also covers some of the ways brands can start to tap into this space to start building a presence and learn to understand the metaverse. Last year we saw the launch of Africa’s first metaverse called Africarare, 3D virtual reality immersive hub set in Unbuntuland . It houses a metaverse marketplace that showcases African art, and provides a platform for businesses and artists to display their offerings. 149 plots of Ubuntuland sold out in less than eight minutes after being released for sale with MTN being the biggest investor of virtual land. So it’s here on our continent, let’s try and figure this out together. Webpage · Instagram Page

Audrey Naidoo in conversation with Tymon Pinto