Marketing Masterclasses

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.