Pat on Brands Podcast

This week, Pat and Mpumi share the latest from the Super Bowl, how valuable a platform it is for marketers and Rihanna’s surprise announcement there. They then touch on the latest news about brands, such as Burger King, and unpack their latest promise to the consumer. The first ever Advertising Week Africa is happening this week and Pat and Mpumi try to understand the impact it will have on the continent and the industry. Lastly, a much-needed candid conversation, about the state of the state brands that is South Africa and how it is not being looked after, is then had. The recent gunning down of AKA can be a representation of how things in South Africa are just going downhill, and the lawlessness is getting out of hand.

For this episode, Pat and Mpumi sit down with Nthabiseng Matshekga, the Executive Head of Group Marketing at Nedbank. We kickstart this episode with our Brand News segment – we touch on SABC’s streaming platform, a new entrant in this fast-growing industry. Second to that, we discuss one of the agile large corporates, Checkers. We looked at their print media advert that was published in the UK and Australia and how it kicked up dust with its boldness and unpacked what the campaign aimed to achieve.

The dialogue then dives into Nthabiseng’s journey as an accomplished marketer who first started in the Economics and Statistics industry. Out of curiosity of human behaviour and thinking she ventured into the marketing industry and transform the landscape.

Pat and Mpumi get to learn of more about the guests’ notable wins - she was involved in the calorie conversion programme, which changed the way the communities looked at the food and nutrients that pets need. It was shown to these communities how cost-effective buying pet food would be instead of just feeding them left overs.

For this week’s episode, Pat and Mpumi sit down and dive into the PR world with Njongo Mato, a specialist in Public Relations. The conversation goes deep into some of the inner workings of the industry.

The first aspect discussed is the meaning of PR. Thereafter, our hosts and guest touch on how the younger generation thinks achieving success is easy and that it can be attained by skipping steps. It seems as though the upcoming youngsters don’t care about their craft.

To close off the discussion, they touch on working with social media influencers and question whether brands that invest in them are actually getting any value in return for that investment. Since prices are seemingly freely decided by the influencer themselves, the question of whether the industry should be somewhat regulated rises. There is much more to uncover in this episode.

In this candid conversation, our hosts Pat and Mpumi begin by highlighting how they have hit the ground running, already striving to complete their goals for 2023. The conversation then presents some intriguing questions and discussions.

The first question raised is, “Are we our ancestors wildest dreams”? (referring to the Generation joy campaign). In answering the question, Mpumi touches on how her grandfather almost envies how lucky Mpumi’s generation is to have all the opportunities and success that were not available to his. The two then go on to discuss the rationale behind the wording in it and consider how a differently a message can be taken from place to place.

With the collaboration between Nike and Netflix, our hosts discuss the genius in timing of the collaboration. This is especially in the South African context. Pat mentions that with loadshedding affecting every aspect of our lives, this allows the consumer some freedom in enabling them to exercise while at home with downloaded episodes. Other effects of loadshedding are chewed over, giving perspective on how that one problem has a ripple effect.

Pat concludes the discussion with an interesting question, “How will AI affect the marketing industry and its jobs”? Realising how fast the technology is improving, he explains how people must be better than the machine to not get replaced by it. Mpumi responds by pointing out that humans are built to adapt, so we can adapt to this too. There is way more to unpack in this episode

In this episode, our hosts begin by reflecting on their holidays. Then, to kick off this new chapter in conversations around marketing, Pat Mahlangu and Mpumi Satsha look forward to the upcoming marketing trends for 2023.

The first trend the hosts touch on is the investing of brands in the metaverse. Since VR has become widely popular, the gigantic social media company Facebook decided to be a trailblazer and create their own virtual world. Before you knew it, global superstars jumped on it and companies had bought land in that world. It seems like that trend of investing time and resources into this platform will likely continue.

Employee Advocacy is now a big factor in the marketing strategy of big brands. As Pat mentions, the companies have realised this element is important because its where the customer gets in contact with your brand. That means that if people who are part of your business don’t spread good word of mouth about it, then you are quite likely to lose a large part of your customer base.

Mpumi touches on one of the most fascinating aspects of the influencer marketing strategy: how businesses are now looking at micro influencers to help their brand, as well as becoming smarter and more strategic with the influencer approach. It is also worth noting how Mpumi predicted the rise of nano-influencers. For any new trends or news in marketing, you can always be sure that the POB podcast has got you.

It is often said that one’s younger days are a time for learning, starting from the bottom and building the foundation for the rest of their life. The guest for this week took that message to heart and absolutely ran with it, aiming to build more than just a foundation, but a legacy.

In this week’s epidsode, Pat Mahlangu and Mpumi Satsha are joined by Marko stavrou, who began his entrepreneurial career at the tender age of 13 when he started selling sneakers. The conversation revolved mainly around navigating the business world as a young business owner, his inspiring story behind choosing to go into business and his success. The now 18-year-old fourth generation Cypriot is a full-fledged entrepreneur who runs a consulting company called Stavrou Consulting and another called Hustlers Global. Another amazing achievement Marko has under his belt is how he ran his own podcast in his early teen years and even got it to top 10 on apple podcasts.

The young entrepreneur felt that when he entered the business world as a young business owner, that he was isolated and inadequate. That led to spending endless amounts of resources on courses and coaches while trying to learn how to build a sustainable and successful business. Hustlers Global was built to solve this problem when it was founded, with the aim of helping Gen Z small-scale business owners to be able to scale their businesses and to be part of one of the largest Gen Z business communities in the World. The content from the platform has already reached over 30 countries around the world.

Both the younger and older generations will get to learn from this episode as the young entrepreneur highlights the important foundation of starting a business, such as having a unique skill you can offer and a network of people one can work with to begin with. Answering a great question from Pat, Marko talks about his experiences with speaking with actual billionaires (even American ones) and what he saw was common between them. An incredibly insightful episode.

 The curtain is fast closing on 2022 and rather than just carrying on with business as usual, reflection is a key tool to use at this time, especially as an entrepreneur. This is the core of the conversation that our hosts Pat Mahlangu and Mpumi Satsha engage in for this week’s episode, a sincere and open dialogue where they look back on their past year and reflect profoundly.

The first element is a much needed one when reflecting, which is the biggest lessons that the two pioneers have learnt throughout their 2022. Pat highlights how he has learnt that you create your own luck at times by acting on your burning desires and not just sitting around waiting for things to happen. Another lesson close to his heart was how he learnt that no matter how many people stay with you in your business journey or leave, the show must go on. Mpumi adds to the conversation with a lesson that everyone can relate to, she has learnt how to be comfortable in her own skin. The CEO of Lenala Beauty also learnt that since she is about to leave her 20s, her period of constant learning is coming to an end. She will now have maturity to handle the adversity of the business world.

The discussion becomes filled with heart as they speak about their lows too, with Mpumi opening up about how she felt a failure as she hadn’t achieved what she wanted to in a position she held. A little bit of light then shines through as its highlighted that losses and lows come with the package, but in the long run they can be blessings.

The dialogue then goes a positive note: their highlights for 2022. Both have extremely exciting announcements that must be heard. Pat speaks on something beautiful, how the YOBAs were an incredible achievement that touched both his aunt and uncle, and other business too. It really affirmed his vision was valid.

To close off, our hosts speak on their futures and that of their brands, with Lenala Beauty’s ultimate direction being highlighted. There is more to learn from this episode of reflection. It could be the beginning of a series of many more like it.

On this episode Pat and Mpumi catch up with Nandi Jiyane, community builder and founder of the award-winning Women Leaders South Africa - a movement for high impact women to connect, inspire and empower each other.  Nandi has always been an enthusiast of building women of substance and believes in challenging the status quo when it comes to women's rights and their place in our society.

Highlighting women's month and what it means to be a woman in South Africa in this episode you will learn:

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Links mentioned in this episode

Women Leaders South Africa – Empowering Women through leadership and mentorship (womenleaderssa.com)

YOBA Winners - Pat on Brands

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