A Groovy Young Operative of the Year

Groovin Nchabeleng, Leo Burnett Group

Speaking about his secret to success, Nchabeleng said: “Advertising is about passion, commitment, creativity and people. I am both humbled and honoured to have this award bestowed on me and I hope that it sets an example for others.”

According to co-judge Zeona Motshabi, corporate communication executive at Cell C, Nchabeleng is very committed to the industry and a worthy winner of the award.

In 1999, Nchabeleng and two partners established Blueprint Strategic Marketing Communications, which grew from a three-person working team in a backroom to a team of over 26 people with an operation of over R30 million. With this experience in hand, he approached the Leo Burnett Group and bought 51% of the South African company in late 2006 –a prime example of his entrepreneurial confidence. He is not afraid of risk because he is passionate and driven. AdFocus judge and marketing guru Thomas Oosthuizen added that “he is a guy who did it himself without a big cheque book”.

Commenting on this achievement, Darren Norkett, Leo Burnett Group board director said, “It is a prestigious award and one that has earmarked his leadership qualities in the advertising industry in South Africa. Leo Burnett prides itself on business excellence and the best of advertising entrepreneurship and we commend Groovin on setting the bar in what is a competitive industry.”

The Leo Burnett Group South Africa operates through Leo Burnett, Starcom, Manning, Selvage and Lee and Red Nail as one of the top 10 communications groups and is a member of global communications, Publicis Groupe, headquartered in Paris. As Leo Burnett Group CEO, Nchabeleng oversees the overall management of five business entities within the group, specialising in advertising, public relations, media strategy and implementation buying. Under his leadership the group has attained an additional R150 million worth of billings by acquiring the following accounts: National Empowerment Fund, International Marketing Council, Commuter Solutions, and Nedbank Retail.