Pat Mahlangu – The Brandpreneur has taken his brand-building expertise a step further by contributing to “The Book Every Marketer Should Most Definitely Read.” The book is a compilation of insights and lessons from 50 brilliant marketing minds in South Africa. Amongst the authors are the likes of Dr Thebe Ikalafeng, Thulani Sibeko, Prof Alistair Mokoena, and Musa Kalenga who directly and indirectly shaped Pat’s career.
A little bit about Pat Mahlangu
Pat Mahlangu is an award-winning Brandpreneur. In 2023, the IMM Institute named him Emerging Marketer of the Year. His work experience spans academia, start-up, and agency. He is a former lecturer at the University of Johannesburg and Boston Media House. Due to his passion for marketing, Pat founded Pat on Brands – a platform that provides insights and information about branding, marketing, and entrepreneurship in 2016. Pat is also the Founder and CEO of Lerato Agency – a PR and Digital Creative Agency that crafts brands that people love. Pat’s commitment to inspiring young people has led him to establish the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards which recognise and celebrate brands that are owned and run by the youth.
He is the Play Your Part Ambassador – a Brand South Africa initiative created to inspire, empower and celebrate active citizenship in South Africa. The Mail & Guardian named him as one of the Top 200 Youth Africans in 2022. He is a servant of the industry, having served on the IAB Education Council, AMASA committee, and Tshwane University of Technology’s Department of Marketing, Supply Chain & Sport Management’s Advisory Board. This year, Sunday World named him an Unsung Hero in Entrepreneurship.
Reimagining the 4Ps of Marketing
The book explores the evolution of the marketing landscape, re-examining the classic 4Ps of marketing—product, price, place, and promotion. First introduced in the 1960s, this framework, while revolutionary at the time, has been reimagined to fit the demands of the 21st century. Today’s marketers are faced with new challenges such as digital transformation, the rise of social media, and rapidly changing consumer behavior. This book offers practical advice on adapting marketing strategies for this dynamic environment.
The 5C’s of Building a Winning Brand
In his chapter, The 5C’s of Building a Winning Brand on page 249, Pat Mahlangu outlines five essential pillars every brand needs to thrive:
- Creativity: Brands need to stand out by thinking outside the box, and using creative approaches to capture consumer attention.
- Collaboration: Working together with other brands, influencers, and consumers fosters innovation and expands a brand’s reach.
- Create Content (Tell Stories): Storytelling is at the heart of modern branding. Through engaging narratives, brands can connect with their audiences on a deeper, more emotional level.
- Continuous Innovation: Innovation keeps brands relevant. Consistently refreshing and improving the product or marketing strategy ensures longevity in the market.
- Consistency: A consistent brand message builds trust and loyalty. Brands that deliver on their promises repeatedly earn consumer confidence.
Pat Mahlangu commented, “When Tracey McDonald reached out to me to contribute to The Book Every Marketer Should(most definitely) Read, I could not say no because I believe in sharing my knowledge, ideas, and experiences. There is no better way than to put them in a book.”
As you dive into the book, you will find actionable steps from these marketing legends on how to implement strategies that will take your brand to the next level. Start reading, take notes, and discover the tools that can help you become a marketing maestro today!
The book is available at all online reputable bookstores.
Read more: Pat Mahlangu | Pat on Brands
