Closed on Monday the 30th April 2012
We’re closed on Monday the 30th April 2012 and back in the office on Wednesday the 2nd May 2012. If there is anything that absolutely, positively can’t wait till we get back, please contact Maretha on +27 83 460 3397. She won’t mind too much.
GRID gets a One Show Design Finalist 2012
GRID has received a One Show Design Finalist for the Antalis Paper Loves Design Project. The Awards are in New York on the 7th May 2012.
One Show Design has become a highly-respected worldwide competition that’s unique in the industry for recognising excellence in design.
Cannes Lions Design jury gets a South African influence
Shelley Atkinson, executive creative director of Grid Worldwide, will be jetting off to the South of France come June 17 to join the Design Lions jury at the 59th Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. She makes up the team of 16 Design jury members from as far afield as Japan, Canada, India, Europe, USA and Brazil. The United Kingdom’s Bruce Duckworth is Design jury president.
Winner of a multitude of local and international awards, Atkinson has worked on brands from Brand South Africa and Airports Company South Africa to First National Bank and British Airways Comair. She was appointed ECD at Grid, South Africa’s most awarded branding and design agency, in 2011. Commenting on her appointment, Atkinson said “I am really excited to be part of this year’s Design jury. There have been so many changes in the communications industry in the last few years, I can’t wait to work together with judges from around the world to find the best work and discuss new ideas. It’s an honour for me and for South Africa which has never failed to punch above its weight on the international stage.”
On announcing the juries, Cannes Lions CEO Philip Thomas said, “Cannes Lions is a global event on a huge scale and it is therefore imperative that the people judging the thousands of entries are representative of this. It’s always exciting uniting exceptionally talented people from all corners of the world and watching them work together to set new precedents in the creative and communications industries.”
The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity runs from 17th to 23rd June.
Brand Council launched, promises 100 days of action
The Brand Council of South Africa (BCSA), which launched yesterday, Thursday, 1 March 2012, has set its first 100 days as a timeframe for measurable achievements, with chairman Sean McCoy of the HKLM Group describing the roll-out of its action plan as “aggressive and exciting.” Its identity was also unveiled, a bold stylised ‘zigzag’ emblem designed by Grid.
Some of the targeted interventions include launching a brand barometer and educational initiative, meeting with relevant government departments, securing funding, and holding events and workshops including supporting the hosting of the Icograda Annual Congress to coincide with WDC2014 in Cape Town.
In making public the BCSA’s framework for delivery, McCoy emphasised its commitment to action, saying that a key driver was the need to change from an industry body that had been focused on protecting its member base to an industry that had a higher purpose based on the benefits of its collective work.
“This requires focused energy and it will materialise in various business and social initiatives, including the development of intellectual property, supporting and guiding industry education, industry regulation and defining quality standards for excellence and compliance.
“An active catalyst”
“Brands create value and the Council was founded on the premise that the professional practice of branding can contribute distinctive, sustainable and long-term economic and social value to the nation. We aim to be an active catalyst for this growth – with the emphasis on ‘active’ – to ensure that we add value to business and society by developing our practice and creating a greater awareness and appreciation for its importance.”
The launch of the Brand Council coincided with Design Indaba week.
For more, go to www.brandcouncilsa.org.
BIZCOMMUNITY, 5 MARCH 2012
Portfolio Update
Please visit www.gridworldwide.com to see our updated portfolio.
The lights are on, but no one’s home
We’re closing from 24th December 2011 to 2nd January 2012.
If there is anything that absolutely, positively can’t wait till we get back, please contact Maretha on +27 83 460 3397. She won’t mind too much.
Top Black Businesswoman – Ashantha Thompson
Winning the Award as Top Black Businesswoman at the 2011 Metropolitan Oliver Empowerment Awards has been an honour and Ashantha believes that it recognizes Grid Worldwide Branding & Design’s empowerment efforts and reinforces their business philosophy.
Congratulations on being a winner in the 2011 Metropolitan Oliver Empowerment Awards (MOEA).
How do you feel about the recognition after awarded the Top Black Businesswoman?
It is a great honour to be singled out of this Award amidst so many outstanding women. It feels overwhelming and I am very appreciative of the opportunities and support I have had through the years. I am aware that I am standing on the shoulders of giants as sacrificed and fought many battles for us to be here today. This Award inspires me to strive for greater heights in future.
Since your appointment in 2005, what do you believe has been Grid Worldwide Branding & Designs major drive for black economic empowerment?
Shortly after my appointment, CEO Nathan Reddy and I undertook a management buyout resulting in Grid being owner managed and 91 percent black empowered. Nathan and I have always shared a strong transformation philosophy and have walked a hard road to get to the point of owning our own business. Transformation is at the heart of what we do, whether in building powerful brands that all South Africans can be proud of, in giving of our time and skills for social responsibility or lectures to students, internship programmes, being active on industry bodies and in daily decision-making which has shaped Grid’s journey to date. For us transformation is not ticking boxes. It is woven into our philosophy of challenging convention on a daily basis.
Why do you think South Africa needs to acknowledge the leaders in empowerment?
It is important to acknowledge leaders who are passionate, brave, authentic and are genuinely committed to building a better South Africa. South Africa needs leaders who are role models that the youth can identify with. We need a critical mass of youth who are inspired and passionate to take up the reins and make a difference in business and society.
What influence do you think you have had on Grid Worldwide Branding & Designs in winning the amount of awards it has since your appointment?
We are really fortunate to have so much talent in our agency and to have attracted a great portfolio of clients that allow us to do great award-winning creative work. If I have to pinpoint my contribution, I would say it has been in having complete faith in our capability and supporting the team, despite the odds, stabilizing the business from infancy through implementation of policies and systems, and growing Grid together with our team to a medium size company, through careful management of people, resources and profitability. A lot of the awards we win measure business as well creative performance.
For Example, we recently won Finweek Agency of the Year which measured our growth in turnover, new business wins, industry contribution, CSI as well as creative awards, The nature of being an enterepreneur means I have to be an all rounder and drive a number of aspects at Grid, from initiating new business, nurturing client and supplier relationships, project planning, contracts, strategy, PR, managing finance and HR, not to mention troubleshooting on a daily basis. My responsibilities also include spearheading BEE initiatives, internship programmes, social responsibility initiatives as well as gender empowerment. All of these aspects contribute to a successful and award-winning business.
What are the main aspects of your organisation’s empowerment and transformation programme?
We are delighted to be in a position to actively transform our Country’s image and build national pride through the work we do on a daily basis. In the past year we have worked extensively on all 10 airports on behalf of Airports Company South Africa in readiness for the Soccer World Cup. Another noteworthy project involved us being commissioned by the International Marketing Council to conceptulise, art direct and manage the Brand South Africa imagery across all nine provinces, to showcase the various sectors of trade and industry.
Talent and gender empowerment
People are our main focus and we are always looking at recruiting, growing and developing black talent. A very important aspect to transformation is gender empowerment and Grid was thrilled to win the Top Gender Empowered Company in media last year at the Top Women Awards.
Corporate social responsibility
Through our corporate social responsibility programme, we have focused on the Khomani San community, which is South Africa’s last indigenous community, known widely as the Bushmen. Grid assisted in the pro bono branding of the community and its various emerging enterprises, which focus primarily on ecotourism, cultural heritage and related activities.
In 2009 Grid focused on creating a brand positioning and an identity. In 2010 Grid focused on bringing structure and branding on the eco tourism venture through an extensive singage and way finding system based on the new brands as well international safety guidelines. Another notable project we have been involved with is the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital. As we deeply for the cause, we incorporated it as part of our own corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Level 1 BEE
Grid is delighted to have achieved a Level 1 BEE rating on a QSE scorecard for the period. In line with the Department of Trade & Industry’s Codes of Good Pratice,
Grid was rated on:
- Ownership,
- Employment Equity,
- Preferential Procurent, and
- Socio- Economic Development.
We will continue to build on our efforts in the coming year by establishing our BEE committee, attending training on the BEE Codes in line with changes to the Companies Act and formulating our BEE policy. Our major focus areas will be skills development.
In one Sentence: what do you think is your organisation’s most important function as a leader in empowerment?
To borrow a well-known quote from Mahatma Ghandi, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world”.
What advice do you have for upcoming businesses to enhance their empowerment status?
Think deeply about your transformation objectives and put a policy in place to guide decision-making. Empowerment affects every area of your business from shareholding, recruitment, training, suppliers, internship programmes through to social responsibility. Develop a BEE committee within the company and empower people to tackle the various portfolios and become champions of transformation.
Does winning the Award directly enhance your internal management support for effective transformation?
Our management has always been supportive but the Award is recognition of our efforts and reinforces our philosophy.
Does winning the Award directly influence the external client assessment of your credibility as a BEE supplier or partner?
It is too early to tell although I have no doubt that it will have a positive influence.
What do you expect when the B-BBEE Codes are revised as indicated at the April 2011 meeting between the B=BBEE Advisory Council and President Zuma?
More emphasis on the empowerment of women and black ownership.
Was there a moment in your career that was most satisfying or when you thought this makes it all worthwhile?
The highlight of my career of career was hen we brought home South Africa’s first design Lion from the Cannes Design Awards in 2008, but this has been topped by being named the Top Black Businesswoman in South Africa 2011.
Do you think there are certain skills that make you a natural leader in South African business?
I feel that I’m still in a process of discovery so it’s difficult for me to answer this. Finding your true north as a human being is a lifelong journey. If I have to pinpoint some things I consider important, it would be around being authentic and remaining true to a strong value system. Persistence is underrated…you have “to give it horns” even when the odds are stacked up against you. Being open to learning, sharing and exploring new ideas is very fulfilling for me and I am happy that I an in space personally and professionally to do that. In business, many women try to ape men to the detriment of realizing your true potential as a businesswoman. Women have the opportunity to celebrate their femininity by bringing more warmth, grace emotional intelligence, diplomacy and unconventional thinking to the boardroom table. It’s beyond the textbook and it’s beyond traditional ways of doing business. I do believe these qualities can set you apart as a natural leader.
Slow, slow, quick, quick
Grid has been on an awards go-slow since last year. First its SLOW Comair Lounge campaign won a Grand Prix at SA’s Loerie Awards in 2010. Then it won a silver Pencil at the One Show Design Awards in New York.
But these are about the only times Grid was not racing ahead. And now it has won the 2011 AdFocus Branding & Design Agency of the Year award – its third success in five years – after a period in which the agency and its staff notched up a string of successes.
MD Ashantha Armogam was named 2011 Black Businesswoman of the Year and listed among SA’s top six young women entrepreneurs. The Agency itself won black and gender empowerment awards and achieved a level 1 BEE rating. At the 2010 Loeries, Shelley Atkinson was ranked the country’s top creative director, while Jean du Plessis and Paul Hinch topped the design rankings. Grid was ranked the top communication design agency and was first overall among all small agencies.
The agency won 47 of 53 pitches for which it entered. Increasing revenue by 80%, it added some big names to its list, including FNB, Internet Solutions, Nando’s, BP and Edcon.
Other new business came from SA Tourism, Liberty Properties, Tiger Brands, Castrol, Chicken Licken, Investec and ACSA. In total, the new business was over R27m in revenue.
Grid, founded in 2004 by CEO Nathan Reddy, has always worked on the premise that design can change society and people’s lives. One of the projects of which Armogam is most proud of, is the work with Brand SA, showcasing the country’s culture, scenery and industries.
There was a strong line-up of finalists in this category, including HKLM, HDI Youth Marketeers, Zanusi and ODC. The runner-up was Interbrand-Sampson after a year in which revenue grew 44% to the best in the agency’s history. Thanks to its strong growth across Africa, revenue has increased 750% since 2005.
Last year has been one of the highlights. Late in 2010, the agency won the account to re-brand Kenya. Around the same time, it won 90% of major brand pitches in East Africa. Closer to home, it developed Absa’s new brand strategy. And there was a flood of new business, including Tsogo Sun. Nedbank, MNet, Goldfields, Eskom, Deloitte, De Beers, Boschendal, Adcock Ingram and Unilever.
In April this year, the group absorbed Veejay Archary’s Black branding agency, though the deal was described at the time as “a merger of equals.” Black also had operations elsewhere in Africa, adding impetus to Interbrand’s desire to be the Pan African authority on branding and design.
Last year’s winner, Switch, was also in the mix, but was always going to find it difficult to repeat its World Cup-fuelled performance of 2010. Nevertheless, it picked up several leading accounts, including McCain and Famous Brands, and improved revenue by 25%.
FINANCIAL MAIL, 25 NOVEMBER 2011
– Writer DAVID FURLONGER
ADFOCUS Event
The event, at The Arena Royale theatre in Broadacres, Fourways, was filmed by Summit TV for broadcast on Friday 25 November, at 9.30am and 4pm.
Wake up and buy the coffee
No matter how hi-tech and modern our world becomes, human beings will always be stimulated by the smell of coffee in the morning or the aroma of freshly baked bread. No matter how much the world changes, people will always be sensory beings who are moved by tangible experiences.
People have often asked me whether design is still relevant in today’s world. I struggle to understand the question. What’s changed? Is it how we interact with each other? In some cases, yes. Is it how brands interact with consumers? In some cases, yes. But let’s not forget what hasn’t changed – a human beings fundamental need for real, meaningful connection. Great design is here to stay because man’s desire to be moved and inspired will never change.
Great design doesn’t work in isolation. It considers the world it lives in and adapts accordingly. In today’s world, with a proliferation of brands, there are thousands of products, experiences and services all screaming “pick me, pick me”, and design can play an important role in differentiation.
Digital – scary monster or just another instrument?
The new buzz word is digital. Marketers have a belief that if you’re not in it then you will be left behind. What nonsense, just because there’s digital, it doesn’t make everything else obsolete. Don’t be intimidated by digital. Digital is just another key instrument in the great orchestra of communication. It allows more people to listen to your music. So now you have a greater audience what do you do with it?
To create an iconic brand all the touch points must work together. Take a movie like Avatar, it took many different disciplines working together to create greatness. In the same way, collaboration between all the elements in communication creates iconic brands. Don’t be afraid or territorial if you want your picture to be a box office hit, use the best, and when I say ‘best’ I don’t mean a wannabe designer, an in-house digital person or a moonlighting writer, you get the point. And at the heart of it all, remember, it’s still about great story telling, brought together beautifully. Close your eyes and listen to the music.
Is logo a ‘no go’?
There’s another debate currently doing the rounds; is the logo dead and should it be replaced by brand visual language? There seems to be a trend that brands want to almost create a pixel on a page and the consumer must guess which brand it is. In my opinion, the logo will never be dead. Long live the logo!!! In the future I believe a logo will take on more meaning because there are so many platforms that a brand must participate in. Intelligent brand ID designers will have to understand how pixels work in the most reduced size on a mobile phone as well as how to create impact on a billboard. The logo will create the consistency. Like all elements of communication, a logo is just one part of a total brand experience. Take, for example, Google, is it a great logo? Whether it is or isn’t, it is not the brand, the brand is made up of experience, reputation, and so much more. All the great principles of good design will always be relevant, designers just have to adapt to the changing communication vehicles.
So what makes me like a particular brand? I can tell you it’s not because I saw a great video about it on YouTube. Just as easily as I am affected by the video, I can also be impacted when the next week, I go into the same brand’s store and experience bad service or dodgy products. From hero to zero in 3 seconds. Brands need to design experience into all their contact points. These experiences should be carefully designed so you can’t put your finger on any one thing, all you know is that the overall experience has left you feeling good about the brand. People are becoming increasing more aware and consumers are demanding more from their brands. There is a consumer online watchdog brand in New York called YELP!, that is brutally honest about the total experience. If you visit a restaurant and, for some reason, have a bad incident, in a matter of minutes that experience is circulating and doing damage. The composition of the brands “music” is therefore so critical.
The world is changing at a rate that many people, especially brand custodians, find intimidating. But if you delve deeper, you’ll realise some things will always stay the same. As human beings we still want very human experiences, we still want a voice and we still want to be heard and understood. Brands that understand and embrace this basic simple truth will find the future an exciting place. Because no matter what amazing innovations get developed, not even the geniuses at Apple can compete with the smell of freshly percolated coffee in the morning.
FINANCIAL MAIL, 25 NOVEMBER 2011
– Writer NATHAN REDDY
gridworldwide 