Since inception in 2002, BrandSmart has established a strong reputation as a sought after specialist agency in corporate branding, marketing consulting, advertising and promotions. Established in South Africa, the company now has offices in Lagos (Nigeria) and recently opened its door in Kigali (Rwanda) at the end of April 2010.

The key to the company's success lies in a refreshing "right side" approach to brand building and marketing which is consumer-centric rather than client driven.This is implemented via a proprietary consumer based methodology developed by BrandSmart called "The Brand Leadership Model" as well as an insight mining tool, "Insight Funneling". As a result, we go beyond the traditional agency territory and we look at the brand from every angle.

The deceptively small core staff compliment functions as strategic dynamo,

providing the impetus for major communications projects. Working off a model of horizontal integration, BrandSmart partners with strategic partners according to the specific demands of each project. This means clients benefit from the expertise of a broad base of "best of breed specialists" while maintaining streamlined operational model.

To date, BrandSmart's clients have ranged from blue chip corporates like First National Bank, ABSA Bank, Sony Ericsson, Masana Petroleum Solutions, Sizwe Medical Fund, to FMCG companies like Brandhouse, to government / public institutions like SASRIA, South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), The Department of Trade and Industry. In Rwanda, we have been Rwanda Development Board's Marketing and Advertising agency since May 2010 and have recently handled projects from Bank of Kigali and UNICEF.

Sensing the need for a new approach to corporate

branding, BrandSmart has formalised their partnership with two Blue Chip Branding Agencies: Zanusi Brand Solutions and Khumo Branding and Marketing. The two branding specialists bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise more specifically in the areas of formulation of brand strategies, Knowledge transfer (training and workshop facilitation), nation building (social marketing) as well as visual communication of corporate identities.

This partnership has also resulted in a much larger geographic footprint for our clients now with offices in the following areas: South Africa, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, Cameroon, Paris and Washington.

 

DUDU THABEDE - DLAMINI

Managing Director