Catalysts of Change
Working closely with you, our three partners blend their specialist skills, to grow your brands, nurture your cultures, and make places better for people and planet.
Mike
I love to join the dots in simple, and often surprising, ways. Working with Pippa to make sense out of a mountain of data; with Danielle turning concepts into compelling content; with clients to flip challenge into opportunity.
I’ve learnt that strong brands grow out of strong cultures. And at the heart of strong culture is shared purpose. It is a guide, an inspiration, for a brand, team, and enterprise. When purpose is shared across public and private worlds, we can build neighbourhoods, towns and cities, preserve land and oceans.
Writing is my compulsion. Currently, I’m publishing ‘Fragments of Memory’ twice a week on Substack. My great fortune is to be married to a wonderful woman, and have two adult kids, who still dig their dad.
Pippa
After many years in corporates and ngo’s, I found my way to the world of research. In 2001, a mutual client (to whom I will forever be grateful) connected me and Mike, and in our first meeting, with a shared yearning for bringing together insights and strategy, we began our journey.
Since then, I have focused on making sure that insights help strategy. My endless curiosity about the interaction of context and human thinking and behaviour is perhaps not a surprising deviation from my social work, sociology and anthropology studies at Wits.
Our eyes are on all stakeholders with whom our clients interact. Talking, listening, weaving the threads and piecing the puzzle together continues to greatly satisfy my curiosity.
I’m loving similar explorations in travel and hiking, sometimes with my two sons!
Danielle
I believe in the transformative power of creativity. To inspire and activate positive change, flowing from culture through brand to impact in the marketplace.
My role in the team, as a multi-disciplinary creative director and strategy activator, is to take the essence of the deep research and strategy that emerges from each project and spark opportunities into life with your team and a network of extraordinary creatives depending on the brief. Nothing is impossible.
My career has taken me across the world where I have discovered how purpose-driven co-creation, guided with a light touch, gives rise to real solutions for people and planet.
When I'm not working, you’ll find me in nature, with my family, drawing inspiration from the genius of the natural world.
Areas of experience
We work where we add most value. From in-depth research, to help making brands stronger, and places to be filled with a genuine sense of meaning and belonging.
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Sustainable DevelopmentCorporates, Governments, NGOs
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Financial ServicesBanking, debt relief, insurance, lending
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Urban PlacesBuildings, public spaces, markets, towns, cities, co-working spaces
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Professional & Business ServicesArchitects, auditors, economists, lawyers
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Organisational CultureFor profit, non-profits, new chips, and blue chips
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Natural EnvironmentBiodiversity, oceans
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EducationECD, primary, secondary, tertiary
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HealthHealthcare services, hospitals, medical aid
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HospitalityHotels, routes, travel services
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TelecomsMobile networks, value added services