Johannesburg – August 2018: Kent Gush Properties, well known as a leader in real estate sales and marketing in Gauteng, is extending its reach in the property industry with the establishment of Kent Gush Letting, headed by Shaun Groves. Although Groves’ entry into the property industry was fortuitous rather than by design, he has earned an excellent reputation working with South Africa’s most prominent property agencies, including the likes of Pam Golding and Lew Geffen Sotheby’s. “I started playing with property portfolios after some of my golf partners, many of whom were executives, saw what I was doing on my own portfolio and asked me to do the same for them,” he says. The property bug bit, and it wasn’t long before Groves left a career in the telecommunications industry to work at a small rentals company. From there, he climbed the ranks in several of South Africa’s major firms. The association with Kent Gush Properties is a boon to both, Groves comments. “We noticed our common synergies immediately after meeting.” Indeed, the partnership has proved fruitful just two months after its establishment, with Kent Gush Letting welcoming Bain & Company, Boston Consulting Group and the VW Group as clients. Kent Gush agrees that the new venture adds a fresh dimension to the group. Kent Gush Properties was established in 2009 after Gush and his wife and co-manager Raquel had amassed several years’ experience working on some of Gauteng’s most prestigious sectional title developments. Their vision was to create a specialised boutique agency, offering consulting, marketing, sales and administration of residential estates and top end Sandton CBD addresses. To date, their clients have included such sought-after Sandton addresses as Metropolis on Park, Central Square, Embassy Towers and Katherine & West, as well as lifestyle developments Steyn City and the Eye of Africa along with other luxury developments in Sandton and Hyde Park. This is the first time …
Launch of the 7% Tribe
If you’d like to play a role in advancing women empowerment in South Africa, the launch of the 7% Tribe is an event not to be missed. Inspired by the insight that only 7% of executive directorships in South Africa are held by women, the 7% Tribe is a movement which aims to equip women with the skills and networks they need to get ahead in the workplace. The launch gala dinner, taking place at Steyn City, includes a gourmet dinner; an opportunity to network with formidable women from an array of South African business sectors; plus the chance to participate in an informative debate on women’s issues. It’s the first of many events which will give South African women the tools they need to get ahead. Tickets R2 200 each (or R25 000 for a corporate package, including a table of nine) from Computicket https://online.computicket.com/web/event/seven_percent_tribe/1239890888/599713066 or find out more about how to join the movement, contact www.sevenpercenttribe.com When: 31 August Where: The Shed at Steyn City Time: 6pm Dress: Elegant CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
BESA Leadership Academy’s inaugural golf day a stellar success
Johannesburg, June 8: BESA Leadership Academy was thrilled to join forces with the prestigious Eye of Africa Golf and Residential Estate to host its very first golf day on 8 June. The event – which featured 25 four-balls – was an exciting occasion, not just because it gave prospective parents and learners an opportunity to meet BESA’s dynamic staff and learn more about the school, its unique culture and forward-thinking approach, but also because experienced and beginner golfers alike had a chance to test their skills on a course that is fast becoming one of the most sought after in Johannesburg. Says Clint Preddy, Managing Partner at BESA Leadership Academy, “We were thrilled to work with Eye of Africa to host this exciting event and raise in excess of R30,000 for a new aircon system for our auditorium. Since the estate is but a stone’s throw from our school, it was an obvious partner of choice as we set out to share our learning philosophy with a wider audience. Eye of Africa also shares our outlook on the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle, and incorporating such activities as part of family time. We were pleased to see facilities like their new MTB trail which promote this, as we believe it is central to raising young people who are physically, emotionally and mentally equipped to face the challenges of the future.” Established in 2010 with just 45 learners, BESA Leadership Academy now accommodates 150 students in grades 8 to 12. The school is known for its personalised approach to education, with every staff member engaging to bring out the best in learners so that they can grow, develop and excel. The development of leadership skills and problem- solving abilities is central to the school’s philosophy and, although academic achievement is, of course, critical, the school aims to provide a holistic education that equips children to follow their dreams. With this in mind, there is strong emphasis on helping children develop empathy and respect …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
BIC® turns dreamers into winners
BIC® has given away R35 000 in cash prizes to various schools as part of its annual education roadshow. Now in its seventh year, the BIC® School Roadshow - implemented and managed by Zinto Marketing Group – is part of an initiative to provide assistance nationally, to schools hampered by a lack of resources. In 2017, the BIC® School Roadshow focused on the KwaZulu-Natal region, the theme - If you can dream it, you can be it – allowed the brand to use the event as a platform for inspiration and motivation. Key messages included the importance of planning for a career, respecting parents and teachers, taking action against bullies and helping others – and, of course, the role of learning as learners strive towards their big, exciting goals. This roadshow targeted 150 primary schools in KwaZulu-Natal, reaching 80 000 learners. One of the chief mechanisms used to raise awareness around the roadshow was a colouring in competition, with R35 000 in prizes up for grabs. Six winners, earning R1 000 each, were selected from various categories namely Best Foundation Phase Student, Best Senior Phase Student, and Teachers, with prizes awarded for the most entries as nominated by their learners in each school. Prizes were also awarded to the school with the most entries and, in the spirit of helping others, the winning school was able to donate R10 000 to a lesser resourced school of their choice. This year’s winners included: Kenville Primary School • R10 000 for the school with the most entries • Mrs Zehrah Floris - 2nd place winner of R3000 Sea Cow Lake Secondary • R10 000 for the school Parsee Rustomjee School • Mrs A Hardin – 1st place winner of R5000 • Mrs S Jokhoo – 3rd place winner of R1000 • Keeshin Ganess – (learner) winner of R1000 Rose Heights Primary • Zakiya Vally (learner) - R1000 winner • Sanam Maharaj (learner) – R1000 winner Rydalvale Primary School • Arian Kaithoo (learner) – R1000 winner Ays Memorial Primary • Ria Ann …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
What the Next Generation Youth wants from a brand
In South Africa, approximately half of the population is under the age of 25. Due to the size and buying potential of the youth market, the segment is of great significance to brands planning to stimulate new demand and reach and engage with a highly diversified collective of young sub-cultures. Miguel Correia of The Zinto Marketing Group comments, “Research conducted by our team of field marketers indicates that South Africa’s youth want authentic, meaningful experiences and interact with real people in their homes and communities. For this reason, youth marketing has become more about engagement and dialogue and less about pushing product information and talking at them. We realised this trend and adapted our approach and marketing efforts to keep pace with youth culture through active and dynamic engagement and carefully constructed, interactive promotional drives.” Brand activation can be used to create new approaches and unexpected, chance encounters between brands and young consumers. An experiential showcase gives youngsters the opportunity to interact with (and be part of) the consumer journey. Correira highlights trends for marketers to consider when targeting the youth market in South Africa: Participatory culture The evolution of consumer to creators and disseminators of information means the youth view themselves as extensions of important and popular brands and that they have played a role in creating connections and forming perceptions of well-known brands. The interaction is personal, and rather than imposing product information on them, they expect brands to facilitate authentic connections and real experiences. Truth seekers Real relationships are important to the youth and brands’ consumer promises must be perceived as open, honest and transparent. With an abundance of brands, communication and touchpoints competing for their attention, the youth is growing increasingly sceptical of advertising and media messages and marketers’ …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Understanding and engaging the stokvel market
The term stokvel originated from local stock fairs in the Eastern Cape in which five to 50 members of colleagues, family and friends pooled resources to trade livestock with English settlers. Today, the stokvel acts as a saving society where money is collectively shared in agreed amounts among members belonging to the same shopping basket. A weekly, bi-weekly or monthly contribution makes up a joint investment ‘kitty’ where savings are generated for the benefit of the group. The money is used to pay for everything from burials and celebrations to school fees and groceries. This method has a very effective way of ensuring that low-income consumers are getting bang for their buck and that their hard-earned cash is buying them quality and quantity at the best possible price. Understanding stokvels A stokvel can be started by anyone from the community but members are usually carefully selected by invitation and based on honesty, openness and trust. The underlying thread is conviction that all selected members will reinvest their monies once they have received their pay out. The accumulated money/savings are drawn by members in rotation or in time of need. Stokvels can also act as an informal 'banking industry' where members deposit money into a savings brokerage while still being able to take out loans at an affordable interest rate. Reaching the stokvel market The stokvel market represents a place in which all purchases are made under great scrutiny by opinion leaders who have the buying power and influence to sway the purchasing choices of a larger group of consumers. To get opinion leaders to buy in, marketers need to use (create if necessary) communication channels that respect and incorporate traditional South African thinking and values, reaching consumers on a more personal level. A method that has proven to be very effective to this segment of the market is experiential marketing and/or brand activation; the consumer’s real experience of …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Main market purchasing patterns, behaviours and influences
The main market, both in urban and rural communities, is predominantly influenced by communal perspectives entrenched in meaningful conversations, powerful storytelling, personal experiences and word-of-mouth interactions. These perceptions build interchangeable relationships that can shape positive brand sentiments, and influence consumers’ product choices, purchasing decisions and consumption patterns at the base of the pyramid (BoP). Word-of-mouth As a large percentage of this market segment has limited access to social media and digital communication platforms, they rely heavily on product referrals from trusted community leaders. Family members and close friends are highly influential when selecting which brands to purchase and they can be convinced at any point in the marketing funnel to switch their buying patterns. Through face-to-face interactions, marketers can reach this audience on a more personal level and create word-of-mouth referrals. This positions brands at the forefront by gaining a large share of voice and is invaluable because low-income consumers tend to prefer products they perceive as industry leaders. Stokvels The stokvel acts as a saving society in which money is collectively pooled in agreed amounts among members belonging to the same investment basket. It represents a market place in which all purchases are made under great scrutiny by opinion leaders who have the buying power and influence to sway the purchasing choices of a larger group of consumers. Premium brands are purchased in bulk from wholesalers and significant savings are made as customers receive more goods for their cash than purchasing directly from retailers in their individual capacity. This method has a very effective way of ensuring that BoPs are getting bang for their buck and that their hard-earned cash is buying them quality and quantity at the best possible price. Price sensitivity Lower-income earners are extremely price sensitive due to their …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Collaborative initiative addresses business development and the unemployment crisis
Unemployment and lack of business skills are proving to be major drawbacks in advancing the economic well-being of the country noting that unemployment is at the highest in 13 years. To tackle these problems, a number of businesses in the private sector and NGOs joined together to stage a business readiness springboard and employment doorway, The Business Warm-Up, to confront head-on the economic challenges facing South Africa’s youth. Supported by Infinity Learning, Harambee, The Business Place, National Small Business Chamber (NSBC) and the Zinto Marketing Group (Zinto), The Business Warm-Up took place at the Soweto Theatre in Jabulani on Thursday, 26 January 2017. The City of Johannesburg’s Department of Economic Development endorsed the event and participated through its partnership with The Business Place which operates seven BizHubs in the city to support small businesses. South Africa has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world. It is with these statistics that the partners in The Business Warm-Up have come together. With 40% of Johannesburg’s population, Soweto must play its part in creating new jobs. This will only happen if we create a business-friendly environment, reduce red tape, open up new markets, and provide resources and financial support for start-ups and fast growing businesses. The initiative was aimed at existing business owners, entrepreneurs and future start-ups, and job seekers wanting to enter the workplace, with the intention of stimulating local business, creating jobs as well as assisting job seekers to find employment. A delegate and aspirant entrepreneur, Cortneigh Halim from Bassonia in the south of Johannesburg commented: “The Business Warm-Up was very informative. I learnt the key concepts of becoming a business owner; these included the different methods of acquiring assistance and advice, as well as the application process for obtaining funding for start-up capital. The information provided fulfilled …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Zinto spreads a message of hope to young inmates on World Aids Day
A crowd of hip-hop dancers and performers gathered at Leeuwkop Prison Juvenile Rehabilitation Centre to show their support to young prison inmates. In line with World Aids Day, The Zinto Marketing Group (Zinto) gave an educational talk on practicing safe sex as well as the importance of HIV testing and antiretroviral treatment. The outreach programme also seeks to empower the youth as part of a rehabilitation programme aimed at supporting young prisoners while they are serving their sentences. As the initiative is driven by inmates, success relies solely on the contributions and sponsorships received from external parties. Zinto donated the sound, stage and production for a showcase of talented singers and energetic dancers. The performances by Self Made Dancers, Floor Rise, Keegan and Twyz encouraged unity among the prisoners. The juvenile prisoner’s choir also delivered a breath-taking rendition of ‘Nomvula’, originally written and performed by singing sensation Nathi Manka. The campaign forms part of Zinto’s corporate social investment where they are actively involved in the upliftment of young imprisoned youth by integrating them for a day with ordinary young citizens who make a living through the performing arts and address the issue of social reintegration. Michelle Combrinck founder of Zinto says, “Zinto is hugely involved in social reintegration through hip-hop dance and performance which encourages young people not to get involved in crime, drug or alcohol abuse but to focus their energy on dance and any other art form as a means of achieving a natural ‘high’”. Zinto focuses on youth development by employing many young and upcoming artists, actors, dancers and performers by developing their expertise and experience so that they have the necessary skills and tools to grow themselves into established brands. Through music, dance, the spoken word and industrial theatre many of Zinto’s road shows communicate a message of healthy living and …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Steyn City in association with Auto & General – #DeliveringHappiness2Diepsloot
Johannesburg, November 2016: Steyn City in association with Auto & General celebrated the fifth anniversary of its community care initiative, Delivering Happiness to Diepsloot, on 16 November, with an event that spread joy to more children than ever before. Steyn City CEO Giuseppe Plumari explains that the project was initially conceptualised as a vehicle for providing support to the children living in the lifestyle resort’s neighbouring township. “This was important to us,” he states, “because we believe that Steyn City needs to have an improving effect on those around us.” This is why the development has also launched initiatives like the Steyn City skills centre, artists programme, and participates in Mandela Day activities. While these are all worthy causes, Delivering Happiness to Diepsloot has a special place in the hearts of Plumari and his team not only because it is the lifestyle resort’s signature initiative, but also because it has the potential to create real, sustainable change by increasing access to education through the annual donation of related items, such as schoolbags and stationery. “So many children have a hunger to learn, to improve themselves through education. However, in many cases, the lack of basic gear is a real impediment to learning.” This year, the children were gifted schoolbags filled with stationery, sweets and toys. These are no ordinary schoolbag, however; each features a sewn-in poncho which is waterproof as well as light reflective. “Consider the difference this will make to the many children who have to walk to school, no matter the weather,” Plumari comments. A number of other items were included in the packs distributed amongst the children, thanks to the generous sponsors of the campaign. Auto & General provided sponsorship of R600 000, which was spent on the bags. Without this, the intervention would not have been possible,” Plumari says. A further 1 710 bags were pledged by individuals who took part …