Not another conference, this is a culture-first coaching platform built to level the playing field.
On June 25th, MIC DROP takes over Radisson RED, Rosebank, launching a bold new masterclass experience that brings marketing’s next era face-to-face with the people shaping it.Born out of the acclaimed podcast Hype and Happening, which gave us Africa’s first Gary Vee interview and insights from Heineken, L’Oréal and Visa leaders, MIC (Marketing. Influence. Culture.) is now stepping off the mic and into the room.
June 25th, MIC DROP takes over Radisson RED, Rosebank
Created in partnership with dentsu X, MIC isn’t just an event, it’s a movement, built to democratize access to marketing know-how, cultural storytelling, and next-gen strategy. Think coaching over keynotes, conversation over panels, and access over exclusivity.
The industry needed honesty, so we built a platform to share the playbook, not gatekeep it,” says MIC founder Deshnie Govender.
MIC founder Deshnie Govender
HERE’S YOUR STARTING LINE-UP
Split into two power-packed sessions, Brand and Culture, MIC DROP brings together an elite group of leaders across FMCG, Tech, Advertising, Marketing, Media, Finance and entertainment to deliver real, tactical gems.
BRAND – Moderated by Deshnie Govender
- Arpan Sur – Mondelēz International
- Lindy-Lou Alexander – WPP OpenX / The Coca-Cola Company
- Luca Gallarelli – TBWA\ South Africa
- Mphothe Elizabeth Mokwena – Unilever
- Mongezi Sokanyile – Nedbank
- Ifeoma Agu – Diageo
CULTURE // Moderated by Marcel Swain
- Usher Takudzwa Nyambi – Rolling Stone Africa
- Bea Theron – Spotify
- Justice Mukheli – Director/Artist
- Diogo Mendonça – Blacksmith Culture Collective
- Kim Jayde Robinson – KJ Productions
- Davin Phillips – CSA.global
KEYNOTES THAT HIT DIFFERENT
- Katleho Mahloane – FNB South Africa
- Mokhethi Siganunu – Dentsu Creative
WHY THIS MATTERS NOW
With 70% of Africa’s population under 30 and more than 600 million mobile internet users, the influence economy is booming. But access to the playbook? Still limited. MIC was built to change that.
We’re living in a remix culture — people don’t just consume content, they co-create it,” says Marcel Swain, MD of dentsu X. “MIC creates the space where strategy meets soul and cultural nuance drives real impact.”
Backed by Radisson RED, a brand known for its design-forward, culturally immersive ethos, this inaugural event will bring strategy, storytelling, and street-level truth to the frontlines of marketing.
MIC isn’t about big stages. It’s about big shifts, in thinking, in storytelling, and in who gets to shape the narrative,” says Saadiyah Hendricks, Area Director, PR & Social Media, Radisson Hotel Group.
THE DETAILS
Date: June 25, 2025
Time: 1 PM – 5 PM
Venue: Radisson RED, Rosebank
Tickets: Email megan@thedigihype.com — limited seats available
Follow: @micdropafrica for updates and speaker drops
Ready to catch the drop?
Step into the huddle. Get the playbook. Be part of the shift.
#MICDrop
About the Founder of MIC Drop: Deshnie Govender is a recognised leader in Africa’s marketing and media landscape. She most recently served on the Global Marketing team at TikTok and was named the 2025 Future Female Winner by Advertising Week Europe. In addition to founding Hype and Happening and MIC, she currently serves as the 2025 Chair of the IAB Bookmarks and is a juror on the Loeries, Effies, and AB InBev Creative X Awards.Her track record across FMCG, tech, and entertainment has made her a respected voice in marketing innovation, blending cultural intelligence with commercial strategy.
About Dentsu X: Dentsu X is Dentsu’s experience-led agency, creating culturally fluent, socially resonant and commercially impactful experiences. It helps brands find their place in culture, commerce, and society by fusing data, media, tech, and creativity to build platforms that echo beyond the moment. Under the leadership of Marcel Swain, the South African office is leading the charge to turn strategy into movement and impressions into cultural voltage.
