I Create We Create.
It is not everyday in South Africa where you come across young people gathering to foster a new way of living and successfully giving it their all to achieve their goals. Recently we teamed up with the feisty and talented Thinz who attended the #ICWC2013 conference held in Newtown to bring us up to speed, in her own words.This is what she observed, a good article for creatives at large.
The transformation debate in the South African creative industry is one that’s going to go on for a long, long time. What a pleasure it was then to see one (of many) individuals who’s decided to take it upon himself to contribute towards turning this situation around.
Banele, a guy we consider to be the epitome of a hustler here at the Represent offices, literally had to pull rabbits out of hats to put together what we consider to be the most inspiring workshop we’ve had the pleasure of being invited to.
SJ
Boden
Having identified a gap (the size of the rift valley) between creatives with skills to offer and creative agencies desperately in need of talent, he facilitated an event that brought the two parties under one roof.
On a cold winter Saturday morning, in a venue so nondescript it has to be one of Joburgs best secrets, the 1st of many I Create We Create events got underway. Hosted by a guy who – in my opinion has to be the funniest comedian right now – Donovan Goliath, the room began to buzz with inspiring speaker after speaker as creatives from a wide range of disciplines – photography, graphic design and writing – absorbed inspiration for how to make it in the dog-eat-dog world of living your creative dreams in the city of gold.
All the speakers had nothing but gems to contribute. Sarah Jane Boden of SoulProviders started the show by sharing her learnings from being a small and growing content business.
Shy-guy (he said it) Green Robot CEO Kgomotso Mautloa told his story of a start- stop journey to the top. A story that inspired many young people who could identify with him because he’s young and, like many of us, was at some point overwhelmed with the feeling of being directionless in his life.
Then there was copy guru Mbulelo Nhlapho who blew everybody away with his portfolio of creative work that has cleaned up at awards shows across the globe. We often never take the time to think that behind the great advertising messages and stories we see out there, sure there’s the brand they represent, but behind it there are actual people who graft for hours, stretching their brilliant beautiful calculating and manipulative minds, and I say this with the utmost praise – I know, twisted right?
Kgomotso Tabane from Play Energy Drink shared riveting case studies around the Play Design of a hero campaign featuring creative mavericks like DJ Kenzhero and blogger and photographer Max Mogale.
Paul Warner
And last but definitely not least, the show-stopping presentation by Ad game genius, the outspoken Metropolitan Republic CEO Mr Paul Warner… Listening to him speak was an exhilarating rollercoaster ride, shooting from the hip. If there was one peace of advice that I’m sure is still ringing in the attendees’ ears is “I’m living proof that you don’t need an education” and “ Work like a son-of –a-**** and pass it back.
Tshepiso Nkuweng
Not to sound preachy but the ICWC event was proof that hard work and perseverance eventually bears fruit. All the knocking on doors, cold calling, endless proposal writing finally paid off in the most inspiring, most beautifully organised creativity workshop. Did we mention that they even served lunch? Lol, (trust me it makes all the difference) and they had a band (The Jazz Cats) and a comedian (Tshepiso Nkuweng) to entertain. As Represent and SoulProviders we’re so proud to be associated with an event of such caliber and are looking forward to more of these events (and more lunches) going forward.
Jazz Cats
To creating, here, here.
Quotes to use
Sarah-Jane Boden: “Always over deliver and meet deadlines” “Drive your skorokoro ‘for as long as you need to”
Kgomotso Mautloa: “Don’t look down on flyers, they pay the bills”
Mbulelo Nhlapho: “Creativity is not a 9-5, I’s a way of life”
Kgomotso Tabane: “Creativity is about tenacity, you set a goal and do whatever it takes to make it happen”
Paul Warner: “Don’t be a greedy f*#$%!!!
