Michelle commented, ‘We try to ensure that we work to a person’s passion and
help them develop their special skills and then allow them to take on a role while
at the same time learning the other functions. The aim is to create well-rounded
people who are able to go out and create their own success stories.’
Through all the success achieved by Zinto Marketing, Michelle’s passion for
teaching and nurturing has never abated. This is evident from the fact that she
spends much of her time creating the ‘Brand Activation Workbook’. She has
spent many months accumulating, sorting, collating and compiling information
for the workbook which will form the basis of a free training course at the Zinto
Training Academy.
The Academy aims to expose school-leavers, students and unskilled but talented
youngsters to the marketing and promotional industry by offering valuable
training on brand activity and to enhance the below-the-line promotions industry
as there are no institutions which train in this space. The practical experience will
include modules addressing the fundamentals of sales and marketing, consumer
purchase and consumption behaviour, the essentials of promotional in-store
activity, a business case to examine the return on investment for a brand and,
professional conduct for a trained Brand Ambassador. Upon completion of the
course, Zinto will attempt to help the students find employment within similar
below-the-line agencies and FMCGs who require skilled and trained brand
ambassadors. Michelle added, ‘This will be our legacy, to allow the industry
which we are so passionate about to have a lasting impact on the lives of
many young people with entrepreneurial mindsets.’
In addition to the Training Academy and the Workbook, Zinto Marketing has
another area of focus – the African market. This is a by-product of the success
which Zinto has achieved. Many of the large corporations which it services and
supports have business activities into Africa and as such Zinto has been exposed
to these markets. One of the major plans which is due to take place within the
next month is a 4000-kilometre, six-month expedition in the African countries
north of South Africa all the way up to Kampala in Uganda. Zinto has already
conducted campaigns and activations in Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho,
Uganda, Nigeria and the DRC. Its brand ambassadors and performers will be
positioned to drive awareness for its telecommunications customer MTN for the
remainder of the year.
With so many thousands of events, activations and productions you may think it
would be impossible to select a single one to stand out but Michelle can recall
most of them at will. However, two events which stand out are the 2010 World
Cup which it was involved in with MTN. Michelle commented, ‘Our teams were
selected to perform at various Fan Parks throughout South Africa. We learned
so much from working with the organisers from Europe. It was a very special
time for all of us.’ The second one was the launch of Ariel washing powder in
SA in 2013 at Mary Fitzgerald Square. ‘Wow, so many amazing women coming
together to experience the exceptional cleaning power of Ariel and all the clothes
being donated to a worthy cause after the 1-wash challenge!’ Too many events
to mention!
Zinto Marketing has clients in a wide range of markets including the
telecommunications, FMCG, motor and banking industries and in all cases it
strives to find innovative, interesting and enticing brand awareness campaigns.
Every event must bring something new and innovative. Zinto is nothing if not
motivated to constantly exceed its own capabilities, striving to meet its motto of
being memorable. Once you have seen a Zinto ‘production’ or met Michelle and
her team there will be little chance that you will forget it – the impression
is lasting.
Nex Media •
Vol 3 Issue 2
7
