Redefining branding with Ruramai Musekiwa.
Creatives, stand up and fight for your artistry to be recognised far beyond the forte’s of your stoep. Represent sat down with Ruramai “Rudo” Musekiwa, the creative director and brains behind BSN – the soon to be launched digital magazine. Here’s what she had to say. Who is Ruramai? Give us a short background of who you are and what you do for/at BSN? I’m a creative with a passion for the extraordinary. My background is graphic and web design, DTP , copywriting and fine art. I was born in Zim and spent a portion of my childhood in Australia before coming back to a vibrant and diverse SA, so my world view has been shaped by a colourful myriad of experiences. I am the Creative Director of BSN & Studio Rrr Design. I conceptualize and create everything related to BSN at the moment. How did BSN Magazine come about? Take us through the last 6 months of preparation? Brand Spankin’ N(YOU) has been a labour of love for the past 7 years. The idea to create a unique and inspiring publication was born in my internship days and it was quite a blurry concept back then. I would create random magazine cover designs and layouts conceptualizing a publication that changed shape and form over the years. I went through dozens of concepts, even had a Mxit interview with Zuko(our cover feature) in 2009 (laughs!), but I needed to fine-tune it further. I quit formal employment in July 2011 and my passion for brand architecture and the branding process grew. I think it was important to refine this concept from a cool artsy zine to what it is today; a fully matured magazine that is ready for take-off. The last six months have been interesting. A lot of late nights building the marketing strategy, designing teasers and promotional material, research, writing, reworking layout ideas, meetings, Sit-down and Skype interviews… It’s been a busy time and I think we all get to points where our passion and belief in what we’re doing is tested. I’m thankful for resilience and everything that reinforced my convictions and belief in this idea. Describe what is BSN? Brand Spankin’ N(YOU) is a movement driven by a passion for creative branding and telling inspirational stories about passion brands. Essentially BSN has two compartments; the publication (BSN magazine) and BSN Brand Architecture which encompasses brand coaching, branding workshops, creative solutions (graphic design, web design, illustration etc.) Who/ what inspired you for this project and what message do you wish to convey? It’s hard to pin-point one reference point of inspiration… I was and continue to be...
Comedians for MASS HYSTERIA “hahaha”
Comedy festivals are known to have the best of laughter, and yes we agree. This one promises to be even better than all comedy festivals you’ve attended. We recommend it, from the line-up we suggest you carry your tissue box just in case you LOL so much you end up tearing all over your face. I’m sure you’re familiar with these names after the jump, prepare to be laughing till you get carried out with more laughter hahahaha. With police shooting innocent people, Presidents building funfairs for fat ladies, Rhinos lying dead on the road back from Mangaung and legless runners shooting people in the toilet – let’s face it, when you read the papers today, it’s hard to believe that the country isn’t being run by a bunch of comedians already. Isn’t it time you voted for a better class of leadership? From their phenomenal success in 2012, your comedy cabinet is back: with one or two changes (floor crossing is allowed in Parliament, you know…) Mass Hysteria 2013 – if you don’t laugh, you die. Following on from 2012, witness the triumphant return of one of the nation’s sexiest and most provocative stand-up shows ever, Mass Hysteria – Viva Haha, Viva! Come see the new national leaders of our country take to the stage and give you something to really cry about. With laughter, that is… Watch them effortlessly tear the government a new one, poke fun at themselves and come down hard on current events. Casper De Vries, Nik Rabinowitz, Joey Rasdien, Chester Missing, Ndumiso Lindi, John Vlismas, Tumi Morake, Mpho Popps Modikoane and Kurt Schoonraad together for the first time ever, are guaranteed to cause Mass Hysteria. Check Computicket listings to see which of these Ministers will be coming to your area. With a production by Whacked™ Special Project, this show promises to be the most beautifully produced stand-up show of the year, a cast of headliners in their own right joining forces to make you laugh so hard, you’ll forget where you are… Mass Hysteria – Funnier than Parliament. CPT: Grand West Arena: 16th & 17th August 2013 JHB: The Teatro, Montecasino: 28th – 31st August 2013 PE: The Convention Centre: 7th September 2013 Bookings Through Computicket. www.computicket.com SOCIAL MEDIA: PRODUCTION Mass Hysteria Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MassHysteriaComedy Mass Hysteria Twitter: https://twitter.com/masshysteriaSA Suggested Hash tags: #FunnierThanParliament #ComedyParliament #ComedyMinisters Let’s go Represent there and come back with great pictures to show We Where...
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. 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,...
Nice girls with a touch of naughty – that’s what a Pure Romance girls night is all about.
“A what party?!” My friend asked, barely disguising the horror in her voice. This was after I invited her to what I referred to as a dildo party. Needless to say her answer was a resolute “No thanks!” & I wasn’t really surprised. You see my friend, like many ‘nice’ & ‘proper’ young-ish women out there – myself included, is a tad prudish. Had I invited her to a day of pure romance, & girl chat on the other hand, she might have actually considered it. Incidentally, Pure Romance is the name of this brand of ladies parties which my mischievous friend hosts, and it lives up to its name. With a 30 year history of classy bath, beauty & bedroom accessories, Pure Romance was designed to bring out the inner naughty in every woman. The parties , more like intimate gatherings are held in the comfort of your home with your closest friends. The hostess – my friend whom I’ll refer to as P – you choose what it stands for, will introduce you to the various deliciously scented lotions & luuurve potions. Careful where you go afterwards because they’re said to contain pheromones, which give you irresistible come-hither powers. With product names that range from the innocent Kiss & Tell, to the more daring Tickle & whip & Up all night, there’s bound to be something for everyone. If you’re still too shy to place an order for the more ‘risqué’ accessories, you can always contact P later on & she will handle your requests with the utmost discretion. “Like everything worth having, there has to be investment made” says P. “You want a thriving business, you put in the hard work; you want a hot body you work out; you want a great sex life, you kindle the romance” Whether you’re organising a friend’s bachelorette, or hosting a basic girls night in do give my girl a call. Not only will you have the time of your life but you’ll give your girlfriends, their boyfriends/ husbands /partners an experience they’ll never forget you for. For bookings visit Pure Romance (so much for the mystery around her name) 🙂 Or give her a call on 083 923...
Justin Mpheu in need of your help.
Justin Mpheu is a youngster who has been sponsored by The Tsepo Trust and has just graduated with a Diploma in Nature Conservation. He is now studying for his degree in Nature Conservation, his special interest being “Wetlands” Linda Raaff has been able to get him an internship with the Ezemvelo Game reserve through the Maharishi Institute. This is a wonderful opportunity for this young man who came from nothing but despite obstacles has carried on searching for his dreams. His biggest challenge now is to provide for himself as he takes on this internship. He will need his own tent, bedding, etc as he will be working in the bushes. We are asking for anyone who could assist him with donating either a sleeping bag, blankets and/or toiletries like deodorant, shaving cream, etc to help Justin. Currently he has no financial backing from his family. If you can assist please contact: Gayle Dismore (011) 475 5372 – 082 800 5440 PS: The Tsepo Trust is a charitable trust registered in terms of the Trust Property Control Act, number IT 9460/02 comprises of a small group of private, caring people (about 25 people although this fluctuates annually) who annually donate funds for the purpose of uplifting needy and previously disadvantaged citizens of our Country who demonstrate promise and ability, and with the help of the like minded donors of the trust, could go on to make a real difference in our Country. Translated, TSEPO means “hope” and it is “hope” that the donors seek to foster in our...
Let us laugh with Tumi Morake…
Feel it she is here! Tumi Morake that’s who, known for her comedic acting and now stand-up comedy, Morake, along with three of her comically correct comrades, will take over each Wednesday night’s Carnival Comedy Sessions for the next six weeks. Morake’s comedy has been described as in your face and slightly provocative. But she’s funny, isn’t that the whole point? As one of South Africa’s most respected comedians, Morake, majored in performance and writing, focussing on the comedy. It’s no wonder standing up is no laughing matter for her. Asked what can be expected from her at Carnival Comedy, Morake says “Come and hear first-hand how being 20 kilograms too light to be first lady inspired me to explore other talents!” During each six-week tenure of Carnival City’s Carnival Comedy Sessions resident comedians are given the opportunity to own all aspects of the show from the guests they invite to join them to imaging, design, set and lighting of the show. Where…? Comedian Tumi Morake (and friends) Date Every Wednesday from 01 May to 05 June 2013 Time Doors open at 19h00, show starts at 20h00 Venue Mardi Gras Theatre – Carnival City Cost R80.00...
We will be back!
