Who says there’s no black talent?

In 1999 Nchabeleng founded an advertising agency called Blueprint and grew it to a formidable force. He shocked the industry last year when he bought Leo Burnett advertising agency with his partner, Billy Modise, chief of state protocol.

His personal blueprint has followed his ambitions and Nchabeleng is now CEO of Leo Burnett Group South Africa and has been recognised for his many achievements by his peers as indicated by AdReview 2007 honouring him as “Advertising Person of the Year”.

Where does he plan to go from here? “I intend to bring Leo Burnett South Africa back into the South African limelight generating below the line returns for our stakeholders – internal and external!” enthuses Nchabeleng.

He defines stakeholders as shareholders, employees, suppliers, and very emphatically clients, saying, “Our clients are what make us tick – we are there to build their images, build and enhance their brands, and to use our creative, strategic and media talent to advantage each client. That is my first task and I am driving the agencies in the group in this direction.

Then I have another business strategy - to employ talented black people to add another dimension to our skill sets. I don’t want black because they are black – Leo Burnett, Starcom, Red Nail and MS&L will only grow and prosper with skilled and talented people in their respective teams.”

Acknowledging the dearth of black people in the industry, Nchabeleng believes that he and the Leo Burnett Group in SA can make a difference. “Where will I find them? It won’t be easy but I will recruit them, and when they are in our companies we, I, will motivate, mentor, and monitor their careers.