Half Full or Half Empty - What's Your View?

There has been a great deal written and said about the post Polokwane mood in SA. It seems to be the flavour of the day for the press, internal company emails and conversation topics at dinner parties - and with good reason. A quick look at the Zuma situation, the Scorpions, Eskom, the fuel price, the interest rates, the inflation rate, the food prices, the consumer confidence, the crime, etc. is enough to send many people packing for Perth.

Recruiting in the advertising and marketing industries is an excellent barometer of the economy. Advertisers and marketers represent the consumer mood in many ways. They are quick to pull budgets when the going gets tough and we are seeing the effects of this at the moment. People are more reluctant to move when the economy is tight, preferring job security to risk taking. Expansion and new projects get put on hold, while advertisers batten down the hatches and prepare to ride out the storm.

So are we optimistic about the future? You bet! For us the glass is half full. While business may be tougher, it gives us a great opportunity to consolidate our business - so that when the storm subsides (and it will), we will be better placed to shape our candidates' careers and add value to our clients. The natural business selection process during tough economic times dictates that speculators fall by the wayside and while there is drop off in quantity, there is a definite rise in the quality of the business in our sector.

We have noticed that the briefs we are receiving are much more specific in terms of experience and skill sets and that clients are less likely to employ somebody who has potential, preferring a more conservative approach, by appointing those candidates with proven track records and experience.

Remember that there is always oppportunity in adversity. It's what makes South Africa great. 

Industry leaders featuring in this month's newsletter are:

 GARY HARWOOD, Executive Creative Director and Co-founder of HKLM, Johannesburg - HKLM is South Africa's leading multi-disciplinary marketing services group.

 IVAN MOROKE, Group Managing Director of Yellowwood Brand Future Architects, a brand-led business consultancy in Johannesburg.

 JEREMY SAMPSON, Chief Executive of Interbrand Sampson, Johannesburg, part of the Interbrand Group, one of the world's leading branding consultancies.

 SONJA FAHN, Creative Director of BBDO, Cape Town, one of the country's leading through-the-line, full-service agencies.

 TESS SULAMAN, New Media Specialist, consulting as a Business Unit Manager to Amorphous. 

 GLYNN VENTER, Creative Director of Draftfcb, Cape Town, one of the country's leading through-the-line, full-service agencies.

Gary Harwood, Executive Creative Director and Co-Founder of HKLM.
 

1. As a youngster, what were the reasons that made you want to work in this field - what enticed you?

The opportunity to earn money doing what I loved and enjoyed.

2. How did you get in? Did you study for it or land up in it via other circumstances?

I studied Graphic Design at Wits Tech (now University of Johannesburg).

3. What studies do you recommend to anybody wanting to get into this field?

A degree in Graphic/Communication/Information Design.

4. What was your very first job?

I worked for a year in a very small studio doing everything from client service to design to finished art to print production. It gave me a good foundation.

5. How much was your 1st paycheck?

I have no idea, but it was not much.

6. Looking back on your path, is there anyone in particular who inspired you / was a great mentor to you?

Mervin Kurlansky from Pentagram (a South African graphic designer who made it internationally).

7. What do you think has made you one of the leaders in this Industry and being someone that inspires others?

A positive attitude, determination and hard work.

8. In your career - what has been your greatest achievement?

Helping and guiding other designers in doing great work and reaching their goals

9. Describe what a typical day is for you.

My days are never typical. I spend a lot of time in aeroplanes, working with different people from different cultures and countries and reviewing design work remotely.

10. What do you dislike about your Industry (if any) that you wish could be changed?

Free creative pitching.

11. Please define for all who reads this, what your definition of being "Creative" means.

Providing brilliant and appropriate solutions for our client's business challenges and opportunities.

12. Do you recall a campaign you worked on which was a turning point in your career?

Nissan annual report about 15 years ago. I shat myself when I was asked to present my ideas to the chairman and his board. I realised there and then that being an introvert would certainly hinder my career prospects.

13. What are the key frustrations in this kind of position?

Finding really talented people.

14. What do you do in your free time (when you get any) to blow off steam?

I try to play squash twice a week.

15. As a senior creative in the industry, do you think it's important to continue with a creative hobby in your spare time?

No. Being creative is a way of life. If it spills over into a hobby...great.

16. Do you keep a visual diary?

Yes, in my head, but not a physical one.

17. Do you have a blog?

No

18. Your view on Facebook - great networking or waste of time?

Great networking tool.

19. Your favourite gadget at the moment?

A pencil.

20. Best advice you ever received in the workplace?

Listen before you speak.

21. Best advice you can give anybody who wants to be successful and achieve what you have achieved.

Be a force of positive energy.

JOHANNESBURG

MILLICENT BANDA - MVP Manager at AA
BUSI NTSHANGASE - Consumer Insights Manager at SAB
LIANA BARNARD - PR Manager at LG
LINDA OLIPHANT - Sport Brand Manager at SABC
ANITA VAN STADEN - Account Manager at Kapela Publications
JASON LEVIN - Managing Director at HDI Youth Marketeers
JABULILE KOAPA - Copywriter at Lowe Bull
JULIE SANDERSON - Traffic Manager at Lowe Bull
CAROL AVENANT - Strategist at Yellowwood Brand Future Architects
NICKY STEEL - Senior Strategist at Yellowwood Brand Future Archeitects
LORI LEVITAN - Strategic Brand Group at HKLM
GEORGINA MIDDLETON - Strategic Brand Group at HKLM
NIELS VON EISENHART - Strategic Brand Group at HKLM
PUMLA PHAKATHI - Account Executive at JWT
ANGELA GOUGH - Copywriter at JWT
DAVINA WERTHEIMER - Business Unit Director at JWT
FREEDOM MASIBA - Copywriter at JWT
JARED LINDER - Edit Suite Operator at JWT
NATASHA KING - Account Executive at JWT
NOKUTHULA RADEBE - Junior Strategist at JWT
TSHEOLOFELO MODISANE - TV Producer at JWT
TUMI MASILELE - Account Manager at JWT
SAREL DELPORT - Art Director at JWT
THATO MOFOKENG - Print Production Assistant at JWT
SUE MOKGOSI - Assistant Maketing Manager at Oracle Airtime Sales
CLAIRE OTHENIN-GIRARD - Group Account Director at Proximity
KIM ROOS - Senior Account Director at FCB
BRENDAN FICKS - Business Development Manager at Ster Kinekor
MICHAEL VOSLOO - National Sales Manager at ComutaNet
X'ANTEL BOTHA - Promotions Co-Ordinator at ComutaNet
SILINDILE MALINDI VILAKAZI - PA (Sales Support) at ComutaNet
MPUMELELO MABASO - Junior Art Director at The Gate
SHARON McNAUGHTEN - Traffic Manager at Traffic Integrated Marketing
BIANCA COUTO - Senior Designer at Traffic Integrated Marketing
JACO MEIRING - Online Marketing Leader at Investec
FEZILE MAZIBUKO - Brand Manager at Discovery Life
JEREMY DEVAR - Senior Research Executive at Millward Brown
JAINITA KHATRI - Middle Market Segment Manager at Coke
LAUREN CASTELYN - Marketing Manager at Novel
LLOYD NYESVU - Account Manager at The Fire House
WAYNE OLWAGEN - GM Client Services at Adwork Limited - Nigeria
MABUSI (VICTORIA) NYUSWA - Traffic Manager at The Republic Media
SEAN FREW - DTP Manager at Switch Branding and Design
AYANDA DLADLA - Graphic Designer at Zonke Ignition
KRIS NATHAN - Senior DTP Operator/Finished Artist at Cross Colours
MICHAEL LOUW - Design Director at HKLM - Dubai
KIMESHNIE PILLAY - Conference Producer at IQPC
NATALIE HUDDLE - Conference Producer at IQPC
JANET MOLEKWA - Account Executive at Fox Publishing

CAPE TOWN

SANDY IMMELMAN - Subscriptions Marketing Acquisitions Manager at Ramsay, Son and Parker
PAUL REYNELL - National Maketing Manager at Media Nova
EZELNA JONES - Marketing Manager at Nando's
JANINE FERNANDEZ - Assistant Brand Manager at Estée Lauder
JOHN GONCALVES - National Sales Manager at Half Minute Media
SALLY-ANNE JERVIS - Office Manager / Project Manager at Half Minute Media
MICHELLE SWINDALE - Advertising Sales Manager Woolworths TASTE Magazine at New Media Publishing
TANYA KEYZER - Advertising Sales Executive at Cape Media Corporation
IGSAAN SALIE - Content Editor at MWeb Connect
ZAID KRIEL - Staff Writer at Cape Media Corporation
MELANIE McGREGOR - Advertising Sales Executive at Heart 104.9fm
CLAIRE MILLER - Graphic Designer at Inspiration Advertising
MICHELLE ALEXANDER - Graphic Designer at Media Nova
ERNST LASS - Flash Designer at GSDH
ALEXANDER NERIUS - DTP operator at Union Swiss

Leratong, the little school we have chosen to assist, really needs your help!

We don't usually ask for money and although really grateful for the help of donations in the past in the form of clothing and toys and items for sale for their second hand shop, the reality is -  that it is money that is really needed and this month we are asking for donations, big or small. R200 will feed a child for a month and there are a 160 children to feed each and every month. Your donations can be directly deposited into their bank account:

First National Bank, Bramley - 252 105,
Account number - 503 000 125 02.
Their registration certificate number is 002298
Account name: Alexandra Learning Pre-School Centre

PLEASE PLEASE HELP!

PenQuin International
Suzuki Auto South Africa has appointed marketing solutions company, PenQuin International, as its local through-the-line advertising agency.

RedCube Agency
RedCube Agency, the brand public relations agency, has been awarded the Lipton PR
account. RedCube will focus on Lipton's new "Turn Over a New Leaf" Campaign.

TBWA\HUNT\LASCARIS Cape Town
TBWA\HUNT\LASCARIS Cape Town has won the Cape Town Routes Unlimited (CTRU) account. CTRU is responsible for marketing Cape Town and the Western Cape as a tourist destination.

Total Media
German-based tap and shower company, Hansgrohe, has appointed Total Media to handle its public relations campaign in southern Africa.

DDB
DDB South Africa has won the Wrigley's, Symantec, OKI Printing Solutions and Boehringer Ingelheim account.

Dear Mama

My recruiter recently sent me out on an interview for THE most fabulous position. I thought the interview was going really well and when the Creative Director asked me how much I wanted to earn -  I took a chance and added an extra R2000 over what I had originally discussed with my recruitment agency.

After the interview, when I chatted to the recruiter, she seemed really upset that I had done this. Surely it's my career and I should always try to get the best salary possible? I didn't get the job, even though it really seemed as though they would offer it to me in the interview.

Was I in the wrong to up my salary expectations?

Disillusioned

Hi Disillusioned

You are, of course, free to discuss whatever you think is appropriate with a potential employer, but it is, in our experience, best left to the recruitment agency to do the negotiations on your behalf.

We have been briefed by the client with specific criteria - and salary is usually high on their list. We present you to the client in accordance with the specifications of the brief and your salary expectations -  as discussed with us at the interview.

To throw a salary curved ball at the client during the interview can easily derail the process. You may get away with this from time to time, but you run a serious risk of not getting the job.

Regards

Mama

Eyes now wide with interest, he responded, "No kidding. I'm in client service too. Which ad agency are you with?

Pro Select, headed up by Andrew Knight. Give him a ring on 011 875 4311 or email him - andrew@proselect.co.za

FindersKeepers, headed up by Pia Mitri. You can contact her on 011 883 3663 or email her - pia@findkeep.co.za

Thank you for your responses to our mini survey conducted in our March newsletter. I really do value your input and will try and accommodate your requests as far as possible.

Congratulations to JACQUI GRIGG, the Buying Director of Media Edge, Johannesburg, who wins a day at Skin Sense Day Spa for the ultimate pamper worth R2000. Thank you, Kerryn Hayes, for sponsoring this generous prize. See their website - www.skinsensedayspa.com

The three lucky winners who have won a year's subscription to a magazine of their choice are:

JOCELYN DUFF, Channel Strategy and Training Director of Nota Bene, Cape Town.
GAVIN MEEK, Creative Director of POD Communications, Johannesburg.
DIDI KOLANE, Account Executive at Jupiter Drawing Room, Cape Town.

Please phone me - 011 883 5404 or drop me an email - brenda@adtalent.co.za - to claim your prize.

"Here is a simple, but powerful rule: Always give people more than they expect to get."

Until next time......

Brenda