Media leaders face dynamic shifts in digital transformation (AI in particular), evolving consumer behaviour, shrinking talent pool and a volatile advertising environment. The inaugural Pulse conference serves as a platform to address these and other pressing matters facing the media, advertising and marketing sectors. Our primary aim is to empower attendees with actionable strategies that will uplift and inspire management teams and importantly encourage media leaders.
challenges faced by media owners, marketers and agencies.
Topics include: embracing technology, attracting and retaining talent, transparency,
volatility and courageous leadership.
Eastgate Sandton
08h00 - 17h00, followed by cocktails
thinkers addressing critical leadership
challenges faced by media owners,
marketers and agencies.
Topics include: embracing technology,
attracting and retaining talent, transparency,
volatility and courageous leadership.
Eastgate Sandton
08h00 - 17h00, followed by cocktails
Live from New York via Zoom
International Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker
“Pulse will inspire fresh thinking and facilitate collaboration across the sector.”
Chris Hitchings – Founder and Spokesperson
THE
SPEAKERS
We are proud to showcase global and local influencers who will encourage fresh thinking and inspire current and future leaders.
SETH GODIN
LIVE FROM NEW YORK VIA ZOOM
International Keynote Speaker
Founder of altMBA
and Best Selling Author
Seth Godin is an entrepreneur, best-selling author, and speaker. In addition to writing one of the most popular blogs in the world, he has written 21 best-selling books, including The Dip, Linchpin, Purple Cow, Tribes, and What To Do When It’s Your Turn (And It’s Always Your Turn). They have been translated into 40 languages. His latest book This is Strategy was featured in the Harvard Business Review and became a nationwide bestseller.
RASSIE ERASMUS
Keynote Speaker
Springbok Rugby Coach
& Author
Rassie began his rugby coaching career in 2004 and was appointed Rugby Union Director of Rugby in 2017 and Head Coach a year later.
He led the Springboks to win the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups and is the first coach to win both the Rugby Championship and Rugby World Cup in the same year.
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MICHAEL JORDAAN
Keynote Speaker
Founder & CEO:
Montegray Capital
The former First National Bank CEO now heads up a private investment company, Montegray Capital, investing in disruptive business models enabled by technology. Michael invests in and lends a strategic hand to various businesses such as the 5G data network rain, chairs mobile challenger Bank Zero and is chairman of the SA SME Fund Investment Committee, the largest Venture Capital Fund in South Africa.
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CHRIS BOTHA
Group Managing Director:
Park Advertising
Chris Botha is the Group Managing Director of Park Advertising – the owner of two of South Africa’s most prominent media agencies – The MediaShop and Meta Media.
A Bloemfontein boy by birth, Chris started his life in media when he was a student at the University of the Free State. He ran the local campus radio station (RSFM) and was the proud presenter of the sport show.
IVAN MOROKE
CEO: Kantar South Africa
Ivan is a seasoned Marketing practitioner, specialising in collection and analysis of data from diverse sources to identify marketing insights, develop actionable marketing and communication strategies that deliver on profitable and sustainable growth.
Ivan began is formal marketing career at British American Tobacco, working across the value chain of the discipline.
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KHENSANI NOBANDA
Group Executive – Marketing and Corporate Affairs: Nedbank
Khensani Nobanda is the Group Executive for Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Nedbank Group. As both the executive in charge of marketing, and a member of the Nedbank Group executive leadership, she ensures the cohesive and consistent alignment between marketing messaging, brand positioning and business objectives across the group, while also providing strategic input into various Nedbank structures, committees, and partnerships.
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MIKE ABEL
Founding Partner & Executive Chairman: The Up&Up Group
With 30 years of experience in FMCG, financial services, automotive and retail advertising, Mike Abel is recognised as one of Africa’s leading marketing, advertising and communications specialists. He has co-led the largest communications group in Africa, Ogilvy South Africa; he ran the prestigious M+C Saatchi Group in Australia; and in February 2010, he founded M+C Saatchi Abel, which to date is credited with being the fastest-growing advertising agency in the history of South Africa.
MIKE STOPFORTH
Founder & Managing Director:
Second Rodeo
Mike Stopforth is the founder and managing director of Second Rodeo, a bold new specialist advertising agency that helps leading brands get their customers over the line. He is a serial entrepreneur, global keynote speaker and facilitator, and the author of 52 Big Questions for Business Leaders. Previously, Mike founded and led Cerebra, Africa’s leading social media agency, which was acquired by WPP in 2013.
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PEPE MARAIS
Founding Partner & Group Chief Creative Officer: Joe Public
Pepe Marais is one of South Africa’s thought leaders on the subject of personal and organisational purpose.
His definition of success is to create an environment of harmony and joy, where the focus is on the well-beingof people – growing them to achieve the highest levelsof self-worth, honesty and excellence by nurturing ideas, dreams and trust.
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KGAUGELO MAPHAI
Pulse Panel Moderator
Founder & CEO: Matrix Communications
Group
Kgaugelo Maphai is a marketer and entrepreneur who has experienced all aspects of marketing within the client, media owner, creative and agency environments during his 27-year career. He has worked within the hospitality, media and advertising sectors, and has held a number of key management and leadership positions.
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KAGISO MUSI
Pulse Panel Member
Group Managing Director:
Meta Media
Kagiso Musi is a Pan-African marketing and communications executive with over 25 years’ experience leading creative, media and broadcast organisations across South Africa and the continent. Recognised for her ability to unite creativity, data and commercial strategy, she has built high-performing teams and helped shape some of Africa’s most admired brands.
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KOO GOVENDER
Pulse Panel Member
Group CEO: Publicis Groupe
Africa
Koo Govender began her career with the Multichoice Group, spending 22 years there and ultimately serving as the Corporate Marketing and Communications Director. She then became the first female CEO of the VWV Group, a global experiential agency. Koo later led dentsu South Africa, a global marketing and advertising agency known for its integrated approach to brand, media, digital, and specialist communications.
JACQUES DU PREEZ
Pulse Panel Member
Founder & CEO:
Provantage Group
Jacques Du Preez is the founder and CEO of the Provantage Group. Under his leadership, Provantage has evolved into an OOH powerhouse, providing employment for over 5,500 individuals.
His willingness to challenge the status quo in the very competitive Out of Home Media industry won him the MOST Award for Media Owner Innovator of The Year in 2010 and 2011 and the MOST Rising Star Award for 2012 and 2013.
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ZODWA VUNDLA
Pulse Panel Member
Head of Sales & Partnerships:
MediaHeads 360
Zodwa Vundla is a commercial strategist and media leader with more than two decades of experience steering media budget negotiations, driving innovation, and shaping the evolution of South Africa’s broadcast and content marketing landscape. She currently serves as Head of Sales & Partnerships at MediaHeads 360, where she leads a high-performing unit responsible for integrated, content-driven marketing solutions across audio, video, digital and sponsorship platforms for major brands.
MURRAY LEGG
Founder: Retroviral
and Webfluential
Murray is an engineer by qualification and completed his Ph.D at 25 and joined Rand Merchant Bank on the “Class of” programme in. He left to start Retroviral, an award-winning digital agency, and after that an influencer marketing platform called Webfluential. The growth of the Creator Economy is central to his focus and product development.
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AKI ANASTASSIOU
Master of Ceremony
Leading Tech Evangelist, Futurist & Thought Leader
With over 30 years of experience across radio, print, and television, Aki Anastasiou has witnessed—and reported on—the evolution of technology and its profound impact on society. Recognised as one of South Africa’s leading futurists, technology influencers, facilitators, and conference hosts, Aki is passionate about innovation and digital transformation, and how these forces are reshaping the world for individuals and businesses alike.
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Pulse Conference 2026
26 February 2026
08h00 – 17h00
The Galleria
10 Eastern Service Road,
Eastgate Sandton
Brought to you by
In Association with
Supporters
Restricted number of seats available.
Don’t delay. Book Today.
