How you Chommie? It’s been a while since we hung out. You, me and a wild idea. Thriving. Just like the old days.
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.
More than 200 people gathered for the first-ever South African Creative Showcase where 14 agencies and their clients presented the work they hope will make South Africa proud at Cannes Lions 2026. It was a rare and wonderful sight: competitors and clients all in one room, cheering each other's work on. A rare chance for the industry to come together and get behind Team South Africa.
Last night, at a packed Cannes Predictions Dinner hosted by IDIDTHAT in Johannesburg, South Africa’s 2026 Cannes Contenders were revealed live to the industry. And now you can view that work right here.
South Africa came out punching at The One Show Awards 2026, with local agencies, production companies, creatives, marketers, and brands picking up Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Merit recognition across a wide spread of categories. Go team SA! Congratulations to all the South African Pencil and Merit winners. Here’s the work that brought it home.
On Tuesday 19 May, the IDIDTHAT Cannes Predictions Dinner returns, bigger than before, bringing together agencies, marketers, and production partners for the live reveal of South Africa’s Cannes Lions contenders for 2026, as predicted by our judges. Make sure you secure a table for your team.
South Africa is showing up strong at the The One Show, leading the Middle East and Africa region with 48 finalists. From agencies to production and post, the work is cutting through for Team SA, and with every finalist guaranteed a Pencil or Merit, it’s already a big win.
Yes, we know Cannes is over… but we’re not quite done talking about it. Here’s your full roundup of the week: the complete winners table, the work, and the companies that brought it home. You’ve inspired us all and reminded the world (and ourselves) what South Africans are capable of.
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.
In South Africa, gun violence is so normalised it hardly makes the news. That’s why M&C Saatchi Abel and Gun Free South Africa decided to do something radical: propose a bulletproof playground. Biometric access. Panic buttons. 24/7 surveillance. All to protect kids from stray bullets while they try to, you know, play.
South Africa’s telco advertising is having a moment. M&C Saatchi Abel’s new brand platform for MTN, ‘Today We Make Moves’, is a rallying cry for more authentic, emotionally resonant work in the sector and it launches with an ad that does exactly that.
The 2024 Creative Circle Best of the Year winners have been announced, celebrating the work, the people, and the brands that continue to push South Africa's industry forward. As always, the winning work sparks debate, from purpose-driven campaigns to sharp insights, craft, and humour, ultimately, this work is a snapshot of where we stand as an industry. Here you can find all the winning work and talent behind the work, congrats you beauties.
This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by Verona Meyer, ECD at M&C Saatchi Abel and Mzonke Maloney, Director at Carbon Films. Congrats Directors, Thina Zibi and Thea Small, as well as DOP Josh Levi for your Best in Craft wins this month!
Want more than just a fancy stick man from your designer? You’ve come to the right showcase. This is all the best South African work in the category Design for 2024 awarded by the Loeries.
In this showcase we celebrate South Africa’s Best of Print & Print Craft in 2024 and feature the talent behind the work. Here we have gathered all the winners and the work in the Print categories awarded by the Loeries. Now you know who to work with next!
Lazola Gola’s latest Weetbix campaign is a perfect example of comedy having it's moment in advertising. Teaming up with M&C Saatchi Abel, Lazola brings his signature offbeat humor to the breakfast table, crafting a colorful, quirky, and memorable campaign.
As always, IDIDTHAT is bringing you the Cannes Lions action live, this year in partnership with Howard Audio. As of the 18th of June 2023, this page is your gateway to all things South Africa in Cannes. Right here you can check in to view South Africa’s shortlists, the work and the talented IDIDTHAT members involved in the work. We’ll be updating this page as results come in. Good luck and may the France be with you!
Welcome to the ‘Work to Watch’ winners showcase for the first quarter of 2023, awarded by the Creative Circle. Here you can view all the work by our IDIDTHAT members and the names behind the work. Congratulations to all of you beauties!!
Behold, behold! Feast your eyes on all the winning work that got attention at the One Show Awards. This year, The One Club for Creativity is celebrating The One Show’s first 50 years of honouring global creative excellence. And that’s us South Africa, proudly standing amidst the mighty pillars of ‘global creative excellence.’ Congratulations to all our local winners! You have caused our desert-like dry eyes to well up with tears of joy. Bravo!
The Creative Circle Best of 2022 is about celebrating all the finest South African Creativity from 2022. Here you can find all the awarded work and the talent responsible for creating the work...so you know who to call for your next project 🔥