Elizabeth Mokwena is the first guest who is in charge of the marketing function of a FMCG/CPG business that is the scale of a major multinational like Unliver to be featured on The CMO Corner. Elizabeth Mokwena is the Executive Marketing Director at Unilever for the Home Care division in Southern Africa. She is also the Chairperson for the IAB Bookmark awards - the foremost leading digital marketing awards. She described her work as ‘giving global brands an African passport, while giving African brands global exposure’ and has a passion for nurturing the next generation of African brand builders.‘I believe in the power of creativity to change the world,’ said Mokwena. ‘Digital innovation compounds the possibilities of doing this faster, more cost-effectively and with scale. I think 2025 is a redemptive year for our industry and I am honoured to assist the IAB South Africa and the Bookmarks in identifying and celebrating digital work that has had a measurable impact. I am confident we will raise the bar for South Africa’s digital work. Excellence is the standard.’ said Mokwena.

Sylvester Chauke, is what I define as a maverick in the brand, marketing and communications world globally. Chauke has led one of the biggest agencies that has come out of the African Continent. As the founder of DNA Brand Architects, the agency has created a much-needed voice in the PR landscape in Africa. DNA boasts an impressive haul of accolades, including ICCO World’s Best, PRISM Large PR Agency of the Year (2021, 2022, and 2023), IABC Best of the Best, and a spot on Adweek’s Top 100 Fastest GrowingAgencies in the World in 2023. Sylvester’s vision continues to challenge the industry with bold, culturally resonant storytelling. With a trophy shelf that’s anything but bland, Sylvester has been named CNBC All Africa Young Business Leader of the Year and serves on several influential boards,including the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Advisory Council, theUniversity of Johannesburg Advisory Council, and the SA State Theatre. He’s a TEDspeaker and authored the unapologetically inspiring Stand Against Bland.Driven by a fiery passion for creativity and transformation, Sylvester championsAfrican excellence—not as a distant dream but as a dynamic, living reality. For him,creativity is more than an art; it’s a force that shapes how we see the world and howAfrica tells its story to the world.I hope the interview is helpful and something you can enjoy!

In 2024, The Odd Number won the prestigious Loeries Independent Agency of the year award. Founded by Sbu Sitole and his partner and childhood friend Xola Nouse this agency has worked and shaped some of the leading brands in just a space of 10 years. Sbu and I reflect on his journey, the journey of The Odd Number, and the work they have managed to execute in the industry. Sbu Sitole is the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Director of The Odd Number, South Africa’s Agency of the year 2017 and 2019 respectively. Since it’s founding in 2015, The Odd Number has consistently won awards in all South Africa’s major award shows including The Creative Circle, the Loeries Awards, as well as the Pendorings Awards - most recently ranked 2nd most awarded agency to feature in the show. In 2018, Sbu was voted most admired Executive Creative Director in Johannesburg, and second most admired Executive Creative Director in South Africa 2019, in a local poll amongst South African Creative leaders. Most recently The Odd Number won its first 4 One Show Merits, becoming the first 100% Black Owned Agency to ever garner this accolade. The Odd Number, is currently at second place in the Creative Circle Rankings. Sbu has recently been appointed as Chairman of the Loeries Africa Middle East, as well as judged major international award shows including The Cannes Lions, The Dubai Lynx as Jury President and The One Show Awards.

X3M Ideas is the first West African agency to win a Cannes Lion. We talk about what it took to do that, how the new media of today will be the old media of tomorrow or the next 6 months and how meeting the consumer where they are will win your the intangible award of being their most loved brand in their hearts.