The work behind the work: creating the conditions for creativity

Robyn Campbell has spent her career doing the things most people never see. She started in fashion design, moved through the early days of digital, led agencies, and now serves as Senior Vice President at Publicis Groupe Africa. She’s become an expert in the invisible work behind great creativity: building teams, shaping culture, backing people and protecting ideas long enough for them to become exceptional. In this conversation, Robyn shares how her definition of creative taste has evolved, why the hardest leadership happens behind the scenes, what separates good work from great work in a jury room, and the one thing about South African creativity she hopes we never lose.

2026-07-27T14:03:21+02:00July 27th, 2026|Categories: Editorial, Publicis Groupe Africa|Tags: , |

400 women, one room, and an unusual cohort from SA’s creative industry.

On 5 August, The Forum in Bryanston will bring together Nedbank’s Khensani Nobanda, MaXhosa Africa’s Lihle Ngxokolo-Nqini, Rachel Kolisi and Carla Venter, alongside a growing crowd from across South Africa’s advertising, marketing, production and creative industries. With tickets selling fast and only a limited number remaining, now's the time to secure your seat.

Corona. It’s Sunset Time.

To celebrate Corona’s belief that life is best lived beyond our screens, Boundless created a series of living posters that turned the setting sun into the brand itself. Captured at the exact moment the sun kissed the horizon over the city, long winter shadows stretched across the streets to create the silhouette of a Corona bottle, leading you to the sunset.

2026-07-22T08:56:06+02:00July 21st, 2026|Categories: Boundless Editorial, Editorial|Tags: , , |

Creative Circle’s Full Circle event is back

The Creative Circle Full Circle 2026, in partnership with Ster-Kinekor, hosts a selection of jury members, as they take the audience inside the jury rooms, through an inspiring showcase of the top trends, insights and award-winning work from Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

Sanaa Mothabisa shoots from the heart in intimate new work about the mothers who raise us all

Fresh off taking home Silver in the ‘First Series – Full Series’ category at the Young Directors Award in Cannes for VW, Sanaa Mothabisa’s and the team at Sanaa Films continue to build an impressive body of work. Sanaa's latest commercial for Infacare through LePub leans into one of his superpowers: sensitivity. Shot in striking black and white, the film reflects a director growing in confidence and craft.

2026-07-07T20:43:03+02:00July 7th, 2026|Categories: Editorial, Sanaa Films Editorial|

Playlists to pitches: choosing directors, earning trust and making memorable work

In this conversation, Zanele Kabane, M&C Saatchi Abel Associate Creative Director, shares what she looks for in directors, why trust between agencies and marketers changes everything, the ads she wishes she'd written, her complicated relationship with AI, and the unexpected hobby that's teaching her a surprising amount about creativity. Don't miss her shout-out to some of her favourite creatives doing work in our industry right now.

Live Updates: South Africa’s Winners & Shortlists at Cannes 2026

IDIDTHAT will be the first to bring you the Cannes Lions shortlists for South Africa as they are announced from the 11th – 26th of June 2026. Not only will we list those involved in creating the magic, we’ll also be showcasing the actual work that’s being recognised globally and link it back to the IDIDTHAT companies behind the work. This way, you’ll know exactly who the top creative minds to collaborate with are.

CANNES DAILY DIARY: Day 5 with Keri-Ann Stanton

Keri-Ann Stanton, Chief Strategist and Founder of KAMuses Group, reports back from the final day of Cannes in the best possible way. We all speak Cannes now. And Keri-Ann... we're all dying to know. Did the giant box of matches make it back to South Africa?

CANNES DAILY DIARY: Day 4 with Cameron Watson

In this diary, we get a two-for-one Cannes special from Accenture Song ECD Cameron Watson. From the nerves and pride of presenting ‘The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix’ to the Titanium jury, to Silver Lion celebrations, Saffa meet-ups, and the beautiful blur that makes Cannes feel like one giant, sun-drenched fever dream, Cameron's says it perfectly.

CANNES DAILY DIARY: Day 4 with Mariana O’Kelly

Former Ogilvy South Africa ECD and creative powerhouse Mariana O'Kelly is flying the South African flag on the global stage. Now based in Chicago, Mariana is the first Chief Creative Officer of DonerColle Partners, the alliance between Stagwell agencies Doner and Colle McVoy. If you've never had the pleasure of working with Mariana, this diary is a wonderful introduction to her brilliant, funny mind. South Africa misses you, ma se kind.

CANNES DAILY DIARY: Day 3 with Bridget Harpur

For her first Cannes Lions, Volkswagen Group Africa Head of Marketing Bridget Harpur navigates the heat (and rosé) like a seasoned professional. One thing that stands out for her is the South Africans. Competitors at home, one team at Cannes. Her diary is a reminder of what an incredible bunch of humans we are. Go Team SA 🇿🇦

CANNES DAILY DIARY: Day 3 with Tatiana Ndlovu

Nedbank Africa Regions Executive Head of Marketing Tatiana Ndlovu packs more into a single Cannes day than most people manage in a week. And we thought rosé on the terrace was exhausting. It's inspiring to see someone make the most of every opportunity this festival offers. If you've ever wondered what Cannes Lions really has to offer, this diary is for you.

CANNES DAILY DIARY: Day 2 with Gale Maimane

Darling Films director and Open Chair Lioness Gale Maimane is experiencing Cannes Lions for the first time, and by day two she's already learned some valuable lessons: always eat breakfast, walking is often faster than traffic, and the best conversations aren't always the ones happening on stage.

CANNES DAILY DIARY: Day 1 with Nkgabiseng Motau

In this edition of our South Africans in Cannes Diary, Think Creative Africa co-founder and CCO Nkgabiseng Motau takes us through a day of melting in the Cannes heat, chasing inspiration across the Croisette, and finding unexpected encouragement from Susan Credle, this year's Lion of St. Mark recipient. Along the way, she reflects on the power of human creativity, African representation and the moments that make Cannes unforgettable.

CANNES DAILY DIARY: Day 1 with Phiona Okumu

For this edition of our South Africans in Cannes Diary, Spotify Sub-Saharan Africa Head of Music Phiona Okumu reflects on her first Cannes Lions experience as a juror. Between moments of impostor syndrome, finding friendship in unexpected places, discovering the real Cannes beyond the Croisette, and squeezing in an early morning run along the Mediterranean, her diary is a reminder that some of the most meaningful parts of Cannes happen far away from the stages.