Marketing agency near me

Isilumko Activate is a promotional company founded in 1995 to help South African brands find their voice. With multiple awards and widespread industry recognition, we’ve done just that. Our experienced team of brand promoters know how to promote your brand, so you get noticed.

We understand it’s a fierce and competitive marketplace; we know you need to get heard. That’s what we specialise in – bespoke brand promotions with passion, impact, and results. We’re dedicated to surpassing our clients’ expectations every single time.

We operate in five major cities throughout South Africa, creating creative conceptual solutions and delivering incredible results – we’re all about ROI. If you’re looking for a promotional company that understands your brand, we’re here for you.

Promotional marketing comes in all shapes and sizes. It can range from small-scale field marketing to large corporate events launching a new product. It doesn’t even need to be in-person. Promotional marketing for a digital service, for instance, may require a digital marketing strategy – a temporary free subscription, perhaps.
There are broadly seven major types of promotions:

• Advertising. Everyone is familiar with traditional adverts on the radio, TV, or in print. Contemporary advertising has morphed, however. Social media, for example, is all about going viral and generating hype. And nothing does that better than in-person events.
• Direct selling. Cut out the middleman with direct selling. Once done via mail or phone, newer techniques rely on group-based sales meetings or email marketing campaigns to promote a product or brand launch.
• Sales promotion. It involves the use of media and non-media communications to create a buzz during a specific period. It could be for a product launch or to boost sales. Examples include content or raffles, seasonal price discounts, or discounted subscription fees.
• Public relations. You don’t need to abandon traditional promotional methods. Through trade shows or guest writing in a newspaper, you can promote your authority in the industry – and, by extension, generate interest in your product/service. Plus, it doesn’t feel like a hard sell to customers.
• Product placement. Do you ever notice a product in a TV show or movie? That’s product placement. It’s like advertising, just a little more passive. It aims to create a discreet appearance of a product to increase sales. Think of James Bond’s cars and watches or a food product in your favourite sitcom.
• Endorsement and sponsorship. Nothing brings attention faster than celebrities. Using an established brand (be it a company or celebrity), you can boost your profile, create high-interest events, and raise brand awareness. It can be as simple as a written endorsement or a team-up with another brand.
• Guerrilla marketing. As the name suggests, this isn’t your typical mainstream promotional campaign. Instead, it relies on contacting the public directly. How? By building a grassroots momentum for your product. In the age of social media, guerrilla marketing campaigns can use outdoor events and sales promotions to get customers talking about your product. The ultimate aim is a viral moment.