The Brand Council SA (BCSA) announces new board members for 2018.

It is with great excitement that the BCSA announces new members of their Board and management team, many of whom have a creative background and boast an impressive repertoire of achievements that have moved the marketing and advertising industry forward.

Joining the Board are Ebert Grobler (Boomtown), Isayvani Lungoomiah (Grid), Masego Motsogi (Grid), Terri-Leigh Cassel (Shift Joe Public), Ntombizamasala Hlophe (Yellowwood Future Architects), Ronell Kerr (Xfacta), and Nolitha Mkhwanazi (Yellowwood Future Architects).

Remaining on the Board from last year are Catherine Kruger (HKLM), David Wingfield (ABSA), Gaby De Abreu (Switch), Kendel Falkson (Blank Page Communications), and Mathew Weiss (Superunion). Additionally, Leigh Anne Acquisto (Liquorish Ink) will remain as Chairperson and Anli Grobler (Vega School) has been appointed Deputy Chairperson.

The Management Committee for 2018 will include Rhiannon Rees (Yellowwood),

Wade Moonsamy (Grid WorldWide), Amori Brits and Janeke Nel (HKLM); Nicholas Symmonds and Stephanus Naude(Grid WW).

Says Leigh-Anne Acquisto, BCSA Chair, “This new, varied complement of creative pioneers on the Board and in our management team is a first for our organisation in two years, and we anticipate a unique dimension and highly innovative thinking and strategy to come forth as we continue to represent the whole industry and deal with issues regarding how business is conducted and how the industry ensures sustainable quality and talent.”

These new welcome additions are expected to play an integral role in the organisation’s multilayered vision for the future, including their plans for students who will soon be entering the industry.

This is a vital component of the BCSA’s mission and will see a stronger emphasis placed on the Student Council arm of the BCSA in an effort to encourage and equip the brightest and best talent to enter the industry. Plans for the future to achieve these goals include introduce mentorship programmes, providing a platform through which graduates can improve skills and present their input and feedback, increasing the number of student events, and creating maximum opportunities for students so that they are ‘work-ready’ when they do enter the industry.

“It is vital that we actively and intelligently concentrate on including more tertiary facilities in the conversation around how we can effectively create greater transformation in the industry and improve talent development so that graduates are equipped to make a meaningful contribution of their own when they join the workforce,” says Acquisto.

Keeping to the tone of all things new for the BCSA, this news coincides with the announcement that the BCSA’s improved website is live.

Says Acquisto, “We are particularly grateful to HKLM for all their hard work to create a clean and fresh online platform through which we can distribute relevant information about our ever-evolving industry and announce upcoming events, such as our annual conference which will take place in June this year.”

The annual BCSA conference promises to be a significant event, where all members of the marketing and advertising industry are invited to attend.

“The Board is currently in the process of bedding down key speakers and finalising this year’s topic, so we encourage all members of the industry, from brand owners and architects to planners, researchers, and directors to keep an eye out for the announcement in the coming months,” says Acquisto.

The BCSA is a non-profit organisation that seeks to promote positive economic growth, support South Africa’s ability to compete on an International scale, and create consistent expressions and experiences for our brands. This is achieved by focusing on talent development, transformation, and most importantly, on developing meaningful strategic and creative solutions that will make an impact and mean something to the country at large.

 For more information about the BCSA or to become a member of the BCSA and join their journey, please visit brandcouncilsa.org to fill in and submit an application form.