Boom Town’s approach to BBBEE

Boom Town shareholders, from left: Andrew Mackenzie, Neil Hart, Luvuyo Bangazi and Glen Meier.

“This is part of our approach to Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE),” explains Boom Town Advertising’s founder and Managing Director, Neil Hart.

“As an agency, we value the concept of B-BBEE. However, past experiences have shown us –the agency’s shareholders – that there’s a lot of risk in bringing someone on board, who does not have the same vision and values for the agency,” says Hart.

“On the contrary, Luvuyo has become part of the agency. We have seen him move up the ranks and we know what he is capable of. His passion and drive to excel are essential ingredients we need to make this agency grow,” he adds.

An enthusiastic Bangazi says, “This has shown me that ones hard work is valued and is also rewarded. When I joined the agency four years ago; Neil asked me where I want to see myself in five years time. My answer was partnership. The fact that this has happened a year earlier, at the agency’s own discretion, is a true show of commitment. I am very pleased since I know that this is largely due to merit, and not only because I’m black.”

Bangazi was a radio show host and marketing manager at Bay fm before he joined Boom Town as a client liaison. He is now the agency’s Business Director which involves developing effective branding and marketing strategies for clients and managing the client liaison consultants assigned to his team.

Boom Town Advertising was founded in 1993. Glen Meier and Andrew Mackenzie joined the agency as shareholders in 1997 and 2004 respectively.

Grant Thornton, a leading national firm of specialist advisors, rate Boom Town with a score of 125% (or Level 2) based on the B-BBEE score card.

The agency is a full service advertising agency which specialises in developing and implementing branding and advertising strategies, as well as providing communication and media relations services to its clients.