MATRIARCH consists of a team of talented multi-tasking professionals who are passionate about creating experiences ✨Today the spotlight is on marketing veteran,Tami.
Tami has over a decade of experience as a marketing specialist, with expertise working in the wholesale and independent retail environment. Tami works closely with our clients to help craft, develop, and execute brand experiences that have a transformative impact, and serve our client’s long-term growth.
A few interesting facts about Tami:
🐶 Tami co-founded Brenda’s Canine Fund @k9s_for_brenda, with her sisters, a not-for-profit company that supports public and private K-9 search and rescue teams. This is a project that is really close to the hearts of her and her family and is dedicated to her late mom, Brenda.
🚴🏽 Tami is a qualified power cycling instructor.
🏊🏼 From cycling, running & swimming, Tami is a sports fanatic and represented SA at the 2016 World Champs in Aus.
Today we’re chatting with Tami to find out why she is so passionate about Experiential Marketing:
Q: What do you love most about the Experiential Marketing industry?
A: I believe it to be the most honest form of advertising. Real people, in real life, enjoy real experiences. There is also nothing better than the feeling you get, standing in front of an event location, watching your months of hard work & planning become real.
Q: What has been your most memorable campaign or event, and why?
A: I have a passion for CSI and working in underprivileged communities. An event that stands out for me would have to be an interschool sports day, promoting health and wellness to students in rural communities It was an entire day event that began with all 8 participating schools embarking on a mass 1km walk to the sports stadium, followed by round robin play off of Netball and Soccer. Athletes and students were served refreshments and a meal. The students, not participating in the sporting activities, were encouraged to enter a poster on what healthy living meant to them.
Prizes were awarded from 1st – 3rd place in both disciplines, in the form of an upgrade to sports facilities at the winning schools. This is now an ongoing event that both students and teachers look forward to.
Q: What do you think the future holds for Experiential Marketing?
A: If we have learned anything over the last two years it’s that we need to meet people where they are. People have become accustomed to using digital and virtual platforms to look at and learn about new products. I see virtual events and social media avenues continuing to grow. However, there is and always will be a market for face-to-face interaction at the store level. A large part of South Africans are still daily or weekly shoppers and prefer to have this form of interaction, as it is perceived to be more trustworthy.
Q: Do you have any Durban “secret spots” you love, and would like to share?
A: Well then it wouldn’t be a secret anymore 😉 Let’s just say it’s a quiet beach up north with the most amazing Rock Pool. 🌊
Q: Whom would you like to meet most?
A: Eleanor Roosevelt: although she has long passed, few people know that apart from being the First Lady of the USA she was involved in social work from her late teen years. Eleanor was an activist for human and civil rights and it was her popularity that helped her husband gain votes. Eleanor broke the mold of the First Lady and became a visible public figure by speaking at rallies and writing a daily column on general humanitarian causes. After the war, she was appointed as a delegate to the United Nation General Assembly. Her standing strong in her beliefs, not backing down, in a predominate man’s world, and her passion for change is inspiring to me.
“Surely, in the light of history, it is more intelligent to hope rather than to fear, to try rather than not to try. For one thing, we know beyond all doubt: Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, “It can’t be done.” Eleanor Roosevelt
Q: What is one of the strangest activations you have ever been involved in?
A: I would have to say NAMPO Grain Harvesting Festival. The only reason I say this is that I clearly underestimated the size of maize farming in South Africa. I never imagined that I would be surrounded by literally 100 000 khaki-clad farmers for a period of 5 days. It was an incredible experience when a village suddenly arose in the middle of the Free State for 5 days of exhibitions, shows, and displays.
Q: Describe yourself in three words:
A: Determined, adventurous, and spontaneous.