Joe Public United has firmly established itself as one of South Africa’s leading advertising and marketing agencies, thanks to its focus on the growth of its people, its clients and the country.
Advertising agency Joe Public United this year took eight gold Loeries, was crowned the Agency of the Year and won the Medium Business Entrepreneurs of the Year Award against 189 other business entries in the Entrepreneur of the Year® competition sponsored by Sanlam and Business Partners.
But it has been a tough journey to the top. Pepe Marais, co-founder of the company, spoke to finweek.
What did you do before starting Joe Public?
Growing up poor – by old South Africa white standards – my goal as a school boy was to become a civil engineer, a job I equated with lots of money and a better life. I changed my mind after a chance encounter with a graphic designer at an air force base in Rundu, Namibia, while on my way home after finishing my two years of compulsory military service.
Up until then, I had never imagined it possible to make a living from my creativity. So, after the army, I did a graphic design course at the Ruth Prowse School of Arts where I finished top of my class each year. From there I started working for an advertising agency.
Why did you start your own company?
Gareth Leck and I launched Joe Public in 1998 to make advertising more transparent and accessible to the person on the street. We came up with an advertising model that allowed people to order rare, medium or well-done ideas from a menu, like you would order steak at a restaurant. People would walk into our diner-like shop in Loop Street, Cape Town, give us a briefing and receive their work a few days later.
Where did you receive start-up funding?
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