Kgomotso Mautloa

Where did you grow up and what were the reactions you received from people in your life when you said you wanted to go into advertising/marketing?

I grew up in Alexandra most of my life, i'm originally from Mofolo in Soweto. I think through the years i've found myself here at this point in advertising. I don't think that was my initial intent when i started my career. I've always considered myself a graphic designer, although i've been given many other titles through my career and what i've achieved in my life.

When did you develop an interest for advertising/marketing?

My initial interest was sparked when Vega came to my high school. I had initially wanted to become a quantity surveyor but after much i moved into the creative space and haven't looked back since.

How did you break into the industry and how did you land your new job?

I was sitting at home for 7 months after having dropped out of both Vega and College Campus, before i started looking for a job. I sent out many CVs and in between my frustration i ended up almost ended up getting a call centre job with one of the insurers. My CV landed up with a lady called Cara who was head designer then for the Kaizer Chiefs magazine. Thats where my career started as a junior designer for the magazine.

What top three characteristics does one require to be successful in the industry?

Tenacity, tactfulness and pure passion for whatever it is that you do

What is your take on the current South African advertising landscape, what needs to change?

There's a lot that needs to be done. Transformation is a long and tiresome one. There is still so much that needs to be changed and so many people don't adjust well with change, which is a given. But the sooner we can see these changes take place the more competitive and fulfilling the industry will be. The scale has been lopsided for a while and it's been seemingly frustrating for so many small agencies that haven't seen the industry for what it is and what they can achieve within it.

What are your opinions on transformation in the advertising/creative environment?

It needs to be done, it needs to happen and needs to happen fairly quickly. I'm happy to see that some agencies are transforming, but it needs to be clear, fair and positive change. There's too much happening behind closed doors that is still of detriment to the industry still. I've always said that it should always be Merit Over Status. Whether position, work, or anything else.

Please share some of your proudest career moments.

I think thus far, being on the Power of 40 list for DestinyMan 2016. Being included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2015, also being on the Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans to name a few,

What advice do you have for young people who are interested in entering the industry?

They need to be open minded, i think coming into this industry you are naive to some extent and that can lead to a lot of disappointment. They need to be hard working, creative, be willing and wanting to create a path for themselves within the industry.

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