Brain Engine
What does your company do?
Brain Engine is a strategic consultancy that has transformed the way small businesses and creative entrepreneurs approach public relations, strategy, and growth. With a deep focus on sectors such as sport, festivals, creative legal, education, and the broader creative industries, we deliver tailored PR and marketing solutions that elevate brand positioning and unlock commercial opportunities. We empower creatives to think like strategists, building frameworks that support sustainable growth, visibility, and impact. In 2024, we launched our own 5-week foundational course designed to equip emerging talent with practical skills in communications and brand strategy, with ongoing masterclasses set to begin in June. At Brain Engine, we don’t just talk strategy - we build it, teach it, and execute it to move businesses forward.
What is your biggest success?
My proudest achievements include building The Secret Film Society, Johannesburg’s fastest-growing film club. It’s an experiential event where audiences only discover the film when the lights go down. Through a blend of local and international titles, interactive games, and limited-edition activations, we’ve cultivated a loyal, curious community.
We’ve also helped clients like Splash Squademy uncover unexpected business leads and supported creatives like Tiffany Miguel in securing high-profile local and international media coverage.
A major milestone has been our Strategic Film Marketing Course, which attracted 233 applications from across South Africa including those who have hearing impairments. We selected 50 filmmakers, 90% youth and 56% women, to be trained in marketing, packaging, and audience development.
Our intergenerational team of seven brings together experience and fresh perspective. These achievements reflect our commitment to building a more strategic, collaborative, and visible creative sector.
What has been your biggest hurdle?
My biggest hurdle has been shifting the perception that marketing is an afterthought in the filmmaking process. In South Africa, there’s often limited understanding of the critical role that marketing plays in securing distribution, attracting audiences, and positioning films for success both locally and globally.
Many filmmakers focus entirely on production, with little to no strategy around how their work will reach the right audience. This gap has made it challenging to build buy-in for strategic marketing support, especially among emerging creatives with tight budgets. Yet, it’s also what fuels our purpose. By demonstrating how marketing drives visibility, access, and sustainability, we’re not only educating filmmakers but also helping them think commercially and globally. Our work is slowly changing the narrative, ensuring that marketing is seen as essential to a film’s journey, not just a final checkbox.
