In this episode Stacy and Sena delve into the critical subject of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), drawing insights from Kantar's Brand Inclusion Index. They’re joined by Zinzi Mgolodela, Director of Corporate Social Justice at Woolworths, and Amit Nanoo, Human Centric Growth Strategist at Kantar, to discuss the importance of authentic representation and inclusion in brands. They discuss how when it comes to DEI for brands, it shouldn’t be about how they show up in marketing and campaigns, but instead how inclusivity is baked into all business practices. The conversation highlights the challenges, but more importantly the opportunities that brands encounter in navigating backlash. They also talk about how purpose-driven brands resonate more with consumers and emphasise the commercial value of inclusivity.

Chapters:

06:05 - An overview of the Brand Inclusion Index

12:25 - Woolworths' focus on inclusion

17:05 - Risks vs opportunities in DEI

20:02 - Navigating backlash: opportunities for brands

28:55 - Building authentic inclusion in brand strategy

31:23 - Economic inclusivity: making brands accessible and offering value

36:18 - The commercial case for inclusion

* This episode was produced Laura Rapson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Future Proof Mzansi, hosts Natalie and Sena discuss how South Africans are finding creative ways to make their money go further, particularly in light of rising costs of living. They explore the concept of 'value hacking' where consumers seek to maximise value from brands through rewards programmes and strategic spending. They’re joined by Kelly Goldsworthy, Head of Live Better Rewards at Capitec and Renissa Gounden, Director at Kantar, to discuss how brands can adapt to changing consumer needs. The delve into the importance of data-driven decision-making, and the shift from traditional loyalty programmes to offering meaningful value through brand collaborations and ecosystems. The episode highlights innovative approaches by brands like Capitec and emphasises the need to remain relevant and responsive to consumer demands.

Chapters

06:29 - Understanding South African income dynamics

07:45 - Creative spending adjustments

11:04 - The toolbox of value hacking

12:52 - Capitec's Role in Value Hacking

15:25 - Trends in saving, spending and using loyalty cards

18:35 - Choosing brand collaborations

21:03 - Leveraging technology and gamification

23:58 - The evolution from loyalty to rewards

26:05 - Advice for brands on how to stay in a consumer’s repertoire

28:25 - Surprising insights in the rewards space

32:03 - Final thoughts and brand recommendations

* This episode was produced Laura Rapson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Sena is joined by her colleague Tesh to hear from Brent Lindeque, one of South Africa’s most loved influencers. Before diving into the importance of influencer marketing, Brent tells our hosts all about how he came to be known as the Good Things Guy - sharing his journey from starting a viral social media trend, to becoming a leading voice in good news and influencer marketing.

They discuss the importance of value alignment when partnering with brands and the role of influencers in shaping consumer behaviour. Brent highlights the importance of giving influencers creative freedom to maintain authenticity and follower trust. The conversation emphasises the significance of relationships in business, the need for transparency in sponsored content, and measuring campaign success based on client goals.

Chapters:

03:38 - Brent Lindeque's Journey as the Good Things Guy

06:46 - Aligning Brand Values with Influencers

11:35 - The Importance of Authenticity and Disclosure

13:40 - Debating the Term 'Influencer'

16:26 - Building Successful Business Relationships

21:53 - Measuring the Success of Influencer Campaigns

25:42 - The Impact of Influencers on Brand Success

* This episode was produced Laura Rapson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.