MIKESTOPFORTH

It’s been a big four years. Cerebra has evolved from a one-man consulting show to a full-service social media agency boasting a client list that includes Samsung Mobile, Toyota, Vodacom, eBucks, GIBS, Microsoft, Touchline and Cell C (and those are just the brands we’re engaged with right now).

Our team is comprised of a young, diverse and incredibly tenacious group of individuals that constantly surprise me with their desire to push the envelope. In many ways we have defined the business of social media in South Africa and laid the foundation for others to compete – which has enabled more business for us all in the long run; the more brands are adopting social media, the more lessons we learn, the more case studies emerge, the more brands adopt social media.

Over the last three years Angus Robinson, the owner of Brandsh (more on Brandsh in a bit) has played a huge role – albeit often unnoticed – role in the success of Cerebra. When I was down, he really played a big part on lifting me up and encouraging me. When I was struggling financially, he was available to assist. Despite the fact that he was never at any point a shareholder in Cerebra, nor I a shareholder in Brandsh, he never hesitated to be a ‘partner’.

However Angus’s baby Brandsh was enjoying similar success with it’s focus in the mobile consulting and strategy arenas, and the two companies were sharing staff, clients and resources. This eventually led to obvious concerns about potential conflicts with certain clients, and confusion over who played what role and how. As such there came a time toward the end of last year when we had the inevitable conversation about the future of the two brands, and whether we were going to merge or separate.

To cut a very long story short, I decided eventually that I wanted to keep Cerebra as is and the two brands have officially drawn a line between them. We are now two agencies, with two separate staff compliments, separate clients, and ultimately the competency to compete against each other. Not altogether a bad thing as I think there’s more than enough business to go around. It was not an easy move, but I think it was the right one.

As a result we are moving back to the space we previously occupied in Rochester Place (1st Floor, Block F) – the business complex on 173 Rivonia Rd we call home. We’re excited about the move and look forward to the future of Cerebra, and watching our colleagues in Brandsh grow and expand too in what is undoubtedly the most exciting industry on the planet.

Lastly I want to take this opportunity to thank you, whether you’re a client, colleague, partner or friend that we’ve acquired along the way for your continued support of our little company and initiatives like the 27dinners. You are the many minds that make us what we are.