Dear Advertising
How you Chommie? It’s been a while since we hung out. You, me and a wild idea. Thriving. Just like the old days.
South African Creativity Showcase
LAST TICKETS AVAILABLE. On 4 June, the ACA and IDIDTHAT.co team up, with the backing of the Creative Circle, to host a special South African Creativity Showcase - a celebration of the work our industry is taking onto the global stage.
Boundless announces the appointment of Fran Luckin as Co-Chief Creative Officer of the whole world
Fran Luckin, one of South Africa’s most celebrated creative leaders joins Roanna Williams to help Boundless continue its completely madly ambitious and deeply committed pursuit of the world’s most loved ideas.
South Africa’s brightest young creatives head to the global stage
Ster-Kinekor, the official South African representative of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, in partnership with Heineken® Beverages is proud to announce the winners of the Cannes Young Lions South Africa 2026 competition.
Liesl Lategan-Kyriakou selected for Cannes Lions See It Be It 2026
Big Cannes Lions news: One of the most sought-after Cannes programmes ‘See It Be It’ just dropped its 2026 cohort, and a South African name made the cut. Congrats Liesl Lategan-Kyriakou, founder and executive producer at Spitfire Films.
IDIDTHAT IS LOOKING FOR A UNICORN. Content, Design & Social
WE’RE HIRING! IDIDTHAT IS LOOKING FOR A UNICORN. Content, Design & Social - ONE person who does it all! Are you design-brained, social-media-savvy and slightly unhinged? Because we're looking for someone who makes beautiful things on the internet [...]
IDIDTHAT HOUSE 2025 Gallery, Loeries Fringe Day 2
(See all this pics) Day 2, 10 October, IDIDTHAT HOUSE was back in full swing. We kicked things off with brekkie rolls, Bloody Marys, and coffee strong enough to power another round of inspiring panel chats, with POPCO keeping everyone cool in between. Then came the IDIDTHAT HOUSE Party. An exclusive party for those who got the nod from our incredible production partners, and wow, did you show up. Massive love to everyone who joined us, laughed with us, and made it one for the books. We had the absolute best time with you.
IDIDTHAT HOUSE 2025 Gallery, Loeries Fringe Day 1
(See all the pics) Day 1 at IDIDTHAT HOUSE was everything we dreamed of, old friends, new faces, industry-shaping panel chats, and big laughs. This is why we love this industry. Thank you to all our Brand Partners, Production Partners and guests for making this Loeries Fringe such a success. See you next year!
Box Nation takes South Africa’s homegrown motorsport, spinning, onto the global stage
Heritage is not just about those cultures we inherit but also those we create, the ones that rise from our streets and become part of our national identity. One of the most powerful of these is spinning, South Africa’s first homegrown motorsport and ‘Box Nation’ is turning this township-born sport into South Africa’s next global cultural export.
SOUTH AFRICA AT CANNES: Day 5 by Pete Case
As the curtains close on Cannes Lions 2025, Pete Case, CEO and Creative Chairman of Ogilvy South Africa, shares a final day full of reflection. From his time judging Creative Strategy to stepping on stage for Titanium, Pete wraps the week with insights on the power of creativity, a toast to South Africa’s wins, and a reminder that what we do, and who we do it with, really matters.
SOUTH AFRICA AT CANNES: Day 5 by Carl Willoughby
Okay, so Carl Willoughby may have technically written about more than just Day 5, but when the reflections hit this deep, we’ll allow it. As CCO of TBWA\Hunt Lascaris South Africa, Chairman of the Creative Circle and a first-time Cannes juror, Carl captures the full emotional arc of the festival: from intense jury rooms to late-night inspiration, powerful panels, and South African pride - all wrapped in the beautiful messiness of being human in this industry.
SOUTH AFRICA AT CANNES: Day 4 by Steph van Niekerk
It’s Day 4, and Steph van Niekerk is serving 25,000 steps. As Executive Creative Director at TBWA\ Hunt Lascaris, Steph reflects on what really matters at Cannes: from Droga’s wisdom to Shonda’s brilliance, to the pride she feels for her fellow South Africans. Spoiler: she loves us, and boy, do we love her!
SOUTH AFRICA AT CANNES: Day 1 by Khensani Nobanda
Every day this week, we’ve asked one or two brilliant South Africans at Cannes to report back from the frontlines of Cannes Lions. First up, it's Khensani Nobanda, Group Executive for Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Nedbank, who’s kicking off our coverage with a high-energy run and some even higher creative takeouts.
SOUTH AFRICA AT CANNES: Day 1 by Mike Abel
Every day this week, we’re handing the mic to a different South African at Cannes Lions 2025. We’ve asked them to capture one day, however they experienced it, in their own words. First up is Day 1 with none other than Mike Abel, Founder & Executive Chairman M&C Saatchi Abel & Group SA, here to give us a taste of his first day of Cannes, South African style.
Marketer Spotlight: Behind the Craft with Bridget Harpur
Bridget Harpur, VW South Africa’s Head of Marketing, is all about telling beautifully crafted stories. Bridget proves what’s possible when marketers fight for the craft and that’s exactly why we need more of her. Case in point? The VW Tiguan ‘Life on the Mind’ commercial, which snagged Best in Craft for Direction and a Mention for VFX in IDIDTHAT’s monthly Craft Awards last year. Here’s 5-minutes with Bridget Harpur.
Director Bevan Cullinan mines comedy gold for Spar’s viral Christmas campaign
When it comes to comedy in advertising, few directors in South Africa understand the craft like Together Films’ Bevan Cullinan. His latest Christmas commercial for Spar, created with TBWA Durban, is packed with British humour, hilarious local insights, and viral appeal, the 3-minute spot is a comedic gem. Go Bevan!
Fell + Company, from concept to screen, an agency and production company built for today
Fell + Co is a creative agency that offers full-service production and post under one roof, delivering faster turnarounds, smarter budgets, and personalised service. Head of Relations Kirsten Gerber says, “We don’t sell products; we tell stories about people who do.
Live Updates: South Africa’s Winners & Shortlists at Cannes 2024
As always, IDIDTHAT is bringing you the Cannes Lions action live, this year in partnership with LITTLEBIG. As of the 17th of June 2024, this page is your gateway to all things South Africa in Cannes. Right here you can check in to view South Africa’s winners and shortlists, the work, and the talented IDIDTHAT members involved in the work. We’ll be updating this page as results come in. Also, head over to our Instagram and Facebook for more coverage. Good luck and here's to championing South African creativity on a global stage. Go Saffas!
Meet South Africa’s Cannes Lions Judges 2024
Being selected as a judge at Cannes is a massive achievement. It’s a testament to the respect the industry has for you on an international scale. We know that while a lot of us will be basking in the glitz and canapes Cannes has to offer, these judges will be toiling away in dark rooms, sifting through all the entries to identify the most outstanding work the world has to offer. Not to mention the Cannes Lions Shortlist judges who already had to work overtime and in between their own pitches back home! We see you, and we salute you.
‘A nimble bunch of over-achievers,’ it’s about time you meet LittleBig
Established in 2003 LittleBig is a full-service video production and activation company that, we think, has been flying under people’s radar for far too long. It had us baffled that these guys were bringing home top international awards for South Africa over the past few years (hello Gold Cannes Lions) yet we weren’t seeing their name in the headlines. So, we made a point to get to know the team and find out more about what they do behind the scenes to get onto the main stage at Cannes.