Agency Stuff
What really goes on behind the studio doors. Bring snacks.
12 stories
The Best Agency Handover Lets Someone Actually Go on Holiday
A well-prepared handover, clearly named files and a colleague with room to help: the small agency habits that let a holiday stay a holiday.
Al Chapo Tshabalala — 4 min
When the Client Says Everyone Is the Audience, Bring an Extra Chair
Imagine asking a client who their new campaign should reach and receiving an answer delivered with the confidence of someone who has just solved marketing.
Al Chapo Tshabalala — 4 min
The Quick Client Change That Became a Beautiful Reminder About Teamwork
Picture this: it’s 4:47 p.m., and a client sends through a “quick change.” It’s a small request, the kind that sounds like “could you pass the salt?”
Al Chapo Tshabalala — 5 min
Your Agency Culture Just Booked Another Workshop (And Honestly, That’s a Good Sign)
The agency is fictional, of course. The calendar invitation may feel suspiciously familiar.
Al Chapo Tshabalala — 5 min
Top 10 Digital Marketing Agencies in Johannesburg
Navigating Johannesburg's digital marketing scene is like trying to find WiFi at a bush braai; technically possible, but not without some effort.
Al Chapo Tshabalala — 7 min
The AI Image Apocalypse – Five Machines Enter. Humanity Gets Extra Fingers.
Once upon a time, creatives had three fears: Clients. Scope creep. Comic Sans.
Al Chapo Tshabalala — 3 min
How to Tell if Your Client is Actually Three Different People Sharing One Email Address
An investigative report by CreH8ive Institute of Workplace Confusion.
Al Chapo Tshabalala — 3 min
How Do I Stay Relevant in a Fast-Changing Creative Industry?
(And no, “posting more on LinkedIn” is not a personality.)
Al Chapo Tshabalala — 3 min
Love, Lust & the Layoff List: A Very Serious Investigation Into Office “Romance” in Advertising
Let’s be honest. No one joins an ad agency for the money. You join for the chaos. The late nights. The free beer that somehow replaces HR.
Al Chapo Tshabalala — 3 min
The 10 Client Requests That Made Us Question Our Career Choices
Clients are the lifeblood of our work, the keepers of the budget, the voice on the other end of the urgent email that just came in at 4:58 p.m.
Al Chapo Tshabalala — 10 min
Is Your Agency the George Clooney of Agencies? What Clients Really Want
Each brief is like a Tinder bio, and every pitch is a first date. A big budget doesn't make you Brad Pitt. Flashy campaigns won't turn you into Beyoncé. You need to be the George Clooney of agencies — charming, reliable, and, let's be honest, aging well.
Al Chapo Tshabalala — 5 min
The True Cost of a Free Cappuccino in an Ad Agency
Walk into any South African ad agency and you'll immediately be greeted with three things: a questionable mural on the wall, a dog wearing a branded bandana, and the promise of free coffee. That 'free coffee' is a Trojan horse — the most expensive cappuccino you'll ever drink.
Al Chapo Tshabalala — 8 min