IDIDTHAT Creative News
The stories shaping our advertising, production and marketing world. We cover the work, the craft, and the humans behind it, without the boring bits. Want us to tell your next story? Let’s talk.
What the hell did Fausto Becatti feed this Pick n Pay ad?
We caught up with Bioscope director Fausto Becatti and Executive Producer Daniel Kaplan to go behind the scenes of their new ad featuring the Springboks, the one that had us asking, "Woah, is that a Pick n Pay ad?"
Why producers keep calling Cherry Picked first (and why Cape Town should too)
Founded by Cherise Haskins, Cherry Picked Locations has become one of Joburg’s go-to location agencies over the past decade. Now, after building a growing portfolio of locations in Cape Town, Cherry Picked is bringing that same hands-on approach to the Mother City.
Before Creative Circle’s Full Circle: Inside the jury room with Jabulani Sigege
As we gear up for Full Circle, we asked Cannes Lions 2026 Audio & Radio juror Jabulani Sigege to share a few reflections from inside the jury room. From what separated the winning work to why South African creativity is uniquely positioned on the global stage, here are three lessons he brought home from Cannes.
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.
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.
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.
Director Jason Fialkov makes Carbon Films home
Director Jason Fialkov has rejoined Carbon Films after several years working independently. The move reunites him with the team behind some of his most recognised work. And while there were plenty of practical reasons for returning, Jason sums it up by saying, "I miss the family."
Spitfire’s director AK put Joburg’s new virtual production studio, VRtuosus, to work
Spitfire’s Director AK recently used the new VRtuosus studio in Hyde Park on a shoot for Profmed featuring Springbok prop Ox Nche, becoming one of the first South African commercial directors to put VRtuosus through the real test.
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.
Grid Worldwide returns to it’s independent edge
Grid Worldwide is independent again and it thinks the timing couldn't be better. After 16 years as part of TBWA\SA, Grid Worldwide has completed a management buyout, officially returning to full independence from 1 June.
Expect the unexpected with Robot’s Ayanda Duma, new work
Robot director Ayanda Duma has a habit of finding the version of a story you didn't know was there. Her latest work for Meow Meow Woof and Mukuru blends genres, humour and beautifully observed human moments into a film that feels unmistakably like Ayanda.
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 Fran Luckin
Boundless Co-CCO Fran Luckin's words never let us down. She shares the quotes and convo's that stuck with her, from creativity and career growth to why the Red Hot Chili Peppers may have cracked the code on long-term creative partnerships.
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.
CANNES DAILY DIARY: Day 1 with Jabulani Sigege
For day one of our South Africans in Cannes Diary, Machine_ Group ECD and Cannes Lions Audio & Radio juror Jabulani Sigege gives us more than a single day and we’re not complaining. He takes us through his first few days in Cannes, from arriving on the Croisette and settling into jury life to the responsibility of helping award the world’s best work.