TCC co-founder and CEO, Gil Oved, says that the company has reached the point at which a move into a bigger league is the logical next step in its evolution. “So far, our growth from a zero base in 2001, with two of us running the company from a garage, to an annual turnover of R500-million and 650 permanent staff has been based purely on entrepreneurial instinct, a high service delivery ethic, and, over the years, some remarkable creative talent.

“In that time, we’ve helped change the marketing and advertising landscape in this country. Our ability to build and support brands by backing creative campaigns with some 15 000 brand ambassadors in the field has demonstrated to marketers that a face to face dialogue with their consumers often pays higher dividends than the one-way communication of above the line advertising."

“As a result, progressively more marketing campaigns are being shaped around and pegged on activations and, therefore, on the kinds of skills TCC offers. We’re in increasing demand. To continue to be a game-changer at the size we’ve attained, and to capitalise on that size to do it ever more innovatively, we need a more corporate structure and more formalised processes and methodologies."

“My co-founder, Ran Neu-Ner, and I have been looking for someone not just with the managerial and commercial credentials but also the personal dynamism to be able to bridge the gap between creative freedom and flair and the rigours of corporate governance, process and procedure. Danie has always been our first choice and we’re delighted that he has chosen to bring his growth-triggering talent to TCC.”

Jansen van Vuuren is already familiar with TCC, having worked with the company during his tenure at both Vodacom and Marc Group. His responsibilities at the time included sport sponsorship and the repositioning of a number of different brands. As executive head of Operational Expenditure at Vodacom, he managed a portolio in excess of R1.5-billion. At MARC, one of his projects resulted in subsidiary, SAIL, Sport and Entertainment (SSE), now Trinergy Brand Connectors, becoming the top performing sponsorship and participation marketing agency in South Africa, annually managing events and sponsorships worth R500-million.

Jansen van Vuuren says he was attracted to TCC because it’s one of a kind and, by its nature, an industry leader. “This makes giving it a corporate structure an unusual challenge in that it’s vital to retain the company’s personality and mojo while putting in place the kind of process and governance framework that will move it from a highly successful entrepreneurial business to a globally attractive marketing asset.”

Janse van Vuuren’s initial focus will be on talent retention and the prioritisation of the allocation of resources to the almost 100 campaigns and projects currently on TCC’s books.

“I believe in winning through people, by making people’s jobs easier and more interesting. Many of TCC’s ten divisions handle different aspects of a single campaign or must join forces on campaign execution. Sharing of information is crucial to enabling the people working on the projects to give effective expression to their creativity. It will also enable them to deliver successfully to the client while reducinge TCC’s operational costs, making them successful on many fronts. One of my first jobs, therefore, will be to put in place the processes and tools whereby people can communicate effectively.”

Oved says that TCC is now positioned to become a billion dollar business. “We have the client base. We have the talent. And now we have the additional leadership skills to take us there.”