In a highly transformative and evolving industry, the South African advertising landscape is not as representative as one would expect from such a progressive and diverse nation. Digital marketing in South Africa is still demonstrates an imbalanced gender dynamic.

In an industry where 45% of the workplace is female, a mere 3% of directorship is held by women. Today, only 2.4% of women are CEOs and Only 9.2% of women hold chairperson positions. Women in leadership positions remain a minority within an industry that does not lack female representation: 50% of graduates studying marketing degrees are women.

“Despite there being no shortage of women in the industry, there doesn’t seem to be nearly enough in leadership roles,” says Facebook Africa's regional director, Nunu Ntshingila. “We need to see women that are authentic, we need to see women that are empowered, and we need to see women that are progressive because our girls need to see not only that what is possible, they’ve got to see what they need to become.”

It seems that the advertising industry has no trouble attracting women to the field, it is retaining them that is the problem. Women in creative roles appear to leave the industry in the middle of their careers, a move which is primarily attributed to having children. While many women return to agency, taking a break often hinders the opportunity to progress in their careers. Further to this, women are challenged with work-life balance in ways that their male counterparts are not. One can argue that taking on the dual roles of motherhood and career woman shifts the focus from a dedicated climb up the career ladder.

While the representation of women in advertising agencies in general is a bone of contention, the diversity of women in this field is much to be desired. There is a pervasive lack of black women in creative leadership positions or founding their own agencies in comparison to the increasing amount of white women and black women in the same position. The focus needs to shift: diversity is not solely about the number of women in leadership roles, but rather consider that a wide array of cultures, races and ethnicities are represented within agencies. Ultimately, diversity results in creativity, innovation and progressive concepts; agencies will reap the rewards of an exceptional offering from an entirely inclusive workforce. Diversity does not lower the bar. Diversity raises it.

It is essential to have strong female leaders in advertising agencies to inspire and motivate other women. We must celebrate women of colour who hold positions of prominence in the industry. It is important to understand what the female workforce would need to help them stay in the industry - this could mean child care assistance, destigmatising flexi-time and correcting salary inequalities. At the end of the day, it is about creating an environment that empowers women and allows them the courage and self-confidence to flourish within their roles, as creatives and leaders.

About Keshia Patchiappen, Condriac CEO

Keshia Patchiappen is paving the way for women of colour with her dynamic, strategic approach to the realm of digital marketing and communications. Keshia has experienced a stellar career trajectory, rising from an intern to CEO through 11 years of experience across all advertising platforms. She has worked for global communication agencies and a vast number of clients ranging from automotive, construction, consumer and corporate brands.

Keshia is passionate about revolutionising the way in which brands are marketed in the digital space, and is extremely focused on the inclusion of data in cohesive Public Relations and Communications strategies. Her tenacity, creativity and thorough knowledge of the industry allows Condriac to continue to break new ground and provide clients with an invaluable competitive edge.

Introduction  

The year is off to an explosive start for Business Management (BMS) and Business Intelligence (BI) Solutions veteran, Lorge Consulting Services. In fact 2017 marks two significant milestones for the Midrand-based Premier Certified Sage Partner: 31 years in business as well as 22 consecutive years of award-winning success.  

At this year’s prestigious Sage Summit Tour, held from 7th to 9th March 2017 in Johannesburg, the market and technology giant paid tribute to the top performing Business Partners in Africa by presenting awards in various categories. Lorge maintained its acclaimed reputation by scooping 3 awards; among them the coveted Pacific Top Business Partner Award (South Africa).    

Sage Recognises Business Partner Lorge – March 2017, Sandton Convention Centre  

For many who recently attended the above-mentioned Sage Summit Tour (2017), it was no surprise to find Lorge named among the top Business Partners in Africa. The company with a fast-growing footprint in Southern Africa was honoured with the following accolades within respective categories, for outstanding performance during 2016:  

1. Business Partner Awards category – CRM Partner of the Year
2. Pacific Top Business Partner (South Africa) - 2016 {It’s also worth noting that Lorge’s sales were the highest in Africa, within this category over this period}
3. Sage 300 Partner of the Year (SADC) – Second Place     Sage & Business Partners – Building Africa through Innovative Solutions  

As a specialist and undisputed market leader in accounting and business management software development, the globally-backed brand “Sage” works with an elite group of certified Business Partners to effectively service the African market. Accredited Business Partners such as Lorge, with a physical presence and integrated network in Africa, represent a pivotal conduit of product and service delivery in terms of meeting the specific and evolving demands of the market.  

Lorge has earned the status of Premier Certified Sage Partner, which is a top-tier partnership level based on specific criteria. Having serviced in excess of 10000 users in Southern Africa over the past three decades, including listed enterprises spanning diversified industries, the company’s product proficiency is unrivalled.  

Today, Lorge is a preferred supplier and implementer of Sage 300, Sage CRM, Sage X3 People, Sage Intelligence and Sage Evolution among other primary Business Management, Business Intelligence and ancillary solutions. The company boasts a dedicated Sage Accredited In-House Training Centre. Furthermore, the cumulative in-house knowledge, expertise, infrastructure and robust systems ideally place Lorge to deliver strategic business and industry-specific solutions within the African context. This includes conducting industry related needs-analyses, software implementation, affording technical / customer support and maintenance services - including application modifications and related training.               

Anton van Heerden, Managing Director and Executive Vice-President, Africa & Middle East at Sage, so aptly highlighted the crucial role of regional Business Partners in saying:  

“Across Africa, our green army of Business Partners do an excellent job of supporting our customers by enabling them to unleash the full benefit of our solutions. They work hard to develop and maintain relationships with customers, understand their unique needs, and creatively address their problems. We thank them for their role in our success story and congratulate the winners for their excellence.”  

Lorge – Leading the way for Generations  

In today’s exciting day and age of globalisation, expansive business-integration, innovative mobile and online technology, there emerge various significant market opportunities that well-managed businesses can capitalise on. Despite the sea of growth potential, however, conditions have expectedly also given rise to intensive competition. Hence, it is equally paramount to not only harness business strengths, but develop competitive advantages that foster sustainable growth. This thinking undergirds the ethos of Lorge as encapsulated in the company’s commitment to superior fit-for-purpose products, customised solutions and world-class service.  

Lorge attributes its success to a consistent client-centric approach, ongoing learning and development, a dedicated and skilful workforce as well as visionary leadership. This is reflected in the number of awards received each and every year for over two decades. It is a worthy commendation when an organisation is recognised for its industry achievements in the form of an award or two, but Lorge’s incredible track record of consistently winning awards speaks to the organisations ongoing excellence, passion and determination to excel.  

In Closing...  

Having considered the above, it is noteworthy that so many leading enterprises in an array of industries - from digital communications, to manufacturing, service sectors and many more - have loyally adopted Lorge as their preferred supplier and implementer of Sage Solutions.  

For further information on our BMS / BI Solutions or to channel a related enquiry, simply contact our Marketing and Sales Coordinator, Bronwyn Delport on 010 594 9800.

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PIETERMARITZBURG, KWAZULU-NATAL, 16 MAY 2016 - Jowetts Cycles, based in Pietermaritzburg, is celebrating its 84^th year in the cycling trade this year. It is South Africa’s oldest and arguably the most well-known cycling shop in KwaZulu-Natal.

How does the oldest cycle brand celebrate this auspicious occasion? By adding one of the oldest bicycle brands to its stable - LAPIERRE bikes.

Founded in 1946 by Gaston Lapierre, and passed down over three generations, Lapierre combines innovation, aesthetics, attention to detail, and its experience with pro riders, to offer the most efficient and beautiful bikes to cycling enthusiasts everywhere. Based out of Dijon, France, the headquarters remain the centre for development and testing. A team of engineers are dedicated to the research and innovation for every frame that is developed and actively engage in bike tests with Lapierre’s pro riders.

Jowetts Cycles is proud to add a small range of LAPIERRE BIKES to its existing stable of world class brands, SCOTT, MERIDA, SILVERBACK and TITAN bikes.

Owners, Wally and Ingrid Flint, and their dedicated staff, have a reputation in the industry for always going the extra mile, which has seen them do some amazing extra-mile feats for customers in desperate times. These include, but are not limited to, opening the shop at 2am (and countless other different hours) for customers to get parts, bikes, bits and pieces; for the past 10 years travelling 4000km to Cape Town and back with about 100 bikes in tow for customers riding the Argus; and putting up a large, well-stocked mobile shop at many races around the country in good and bad weather over the past umpteen years, to ensure cyclists can ride their races safely, plus much more.

The well-stocked cycle shop has seen many famous, and not so famous cyclists, from around the world, but Jowetts Cycles is most loyal to its large customer base in Pietermaritzburg and KZN, priding itself on its ability to provide world-class customer care and products for all.

Jowetts Cycles recently launched its online shop,www.jowettscycles.co.za, which is proving to be very popular already with clients from all over South Africa, and from as far afield as Finland and other European countries.

Says Ingrid Flint, “We have created something very special that affords people from all over South Africa, and the occasional international customer, the ability to buy from us online from the luxury of their home, office, or wherever they may be. You would be amazed at how many bikes we sell online. I love the ease of these transactions and it makes sense that this is the future. Bikes are packed in bike boxes so they’re safe and sound and couriered using a well-known international courier that ensures our delivery service is excellent, even overnight for most orders. Our physical shop serves its purpose as a retail outlet and as a social hub where daily, cyclists and bike lovers visit to chat, browse, socialise, and do what makes bike-lovers happy, peruse over our beautiful bikes!”

 Editor’s Notes

For higher res photos, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

All photo credits to Quick Pix.

PIETERMARITZBURG, KWAZULU-NATAL, 16 MAY 2016 - Jowetts Cycles, based in Pietermaritzburg, is celebrating its 84^th year in the cycling trade this year. It is South Africa’s oldest and arguably the most well-known cycling shop in KwaZulu-Natal.

How does the oldest cycle brand celebrate this auspicious occasion? By adding one of the oldest bicycle brands to its stable - LAPIERRE bikes.

Founded in 1946 by Gaston Lapierre, and passed down over three generations, Lapierre combines innovation, aesthetics, attention to detail, and its experience with pro riders, to offer the most efficient and beautiful bikes to cycling enthusiasts everywhere. Based out of Dijon, France, the headquarters remain the centre for development and testing. A team of engineers are dedicated to the research and innovation for every frame that is developed and actively engage in bike tests with Lapierre’s pro riders.

Jowetts Cycles is proud to add a small range of LAPIERRE BIKES to its existing stable of world class brands, SCOTT, MERIDA, SILVERBACK and TITAN bikes.

Owners, Wally and Ingrid Flint, and their dedicated staff, have a reputation in the industry for always going the extra mile, which has seen them do some amazing extra-mile feats for customers in desperate times. These include, but are not limited to, opening the shop at 2am (and countless other different hours) for customers to get parts, bikes, bits and pieces; for the past 10 years travelling 4000km to Cape Town and back with about 100 bikes in tow for customers riding the Argus; and putting up a large, well-stocked mobile shop at many races around the country in good and bad weather over the past umpteen years, to ensure cyclists can ride their races safely, plus much more.

The well-stocked cycle shop has seen many famous, and not so famous cyclists, from around the world, but Jowetts Cycles is most loyal to its large customer base in Pietermaritzburg and KZN, priding itself on its ability to provide world-class customer care and products for all.

Jowetts Cycles recently launched its online shop,www.jowettscycles.co.za, which is proving to be very popular already with clients from all over South Africa, and from as far afield as Finland and other European countries.

Says Ingrid Flint, “We have created something very special that affords people from all over South Africa, and the occasional international customer, the ability to buy from us online from the luxury of their home, office, or wherever they may be. You would be amazed at how many bikes we sell online. I love the ease of these transactions and it makes sense that this is the future. Bikes are packed in bike boxes so they’re safe and sound and couriered using a well-known international courier that ensures our delivery service is excellent, even overnight for most orders. Our physical shop serves its purpose as a retail outlet and as a social hub where daily, cyclists and bike lovers visit to chat, browse, socialise, and do what makes bike-lovers happy, peruse over our beautiful bikes!”

 Editor’s Notes

For higher res photos, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

All photo credits to Quick Pix.