Digital Director of So Interactive, Darren Mansour, proudly shares the ebbs and flows of this entrepreneurial journey that started nine years ago. “When I think about where both I, and the industry were nine years ago, the changes are quite staggering. The huge significance of the South African digital market was just becoming apparent, with the social media landscape on the verge of its explosion. Our team was only two-men strong, with a love for web development and a humble hunch that online media was going to rocket through our country at an astronomical pace,” says Mansour.
“We like to think we’ve grown exponentially, together with the online space; our prominent evolution is a testament to where passion and creativity can lead you; a formula that we still use today across every brand campaign we deliver,” continues Mansour.
Due to the success of their digital campaigns, So Interactive’s loyal client, Ocean Basket, has remained committed to this embryonic online medium. 2015 gave So Interactive the opportunity to deliver a selection of interesting work for the brand: the agency developed the custom Steam Sketch Competition App, and also produced memorable animation, made-for-web video, and gif-based content. This engaging partnership has contributed to Ocean Basket being the leading fish in the seafood pond, in terms of digital presence and brand awareness, with their online following, across all social and digital real estate, increasing by 65% and the Facebook fan base growing to 200,000 followers in early 2016.
DGB is another brand that has embraced the digital space with So Interactive. Last year saw app development, microsites, and Facebook ad campaigns used to introduce consumers to some of DGB’s new brands, while also promoting established favourites. A combination of alluring illustration with intricate development were used to create a fully immersive brand experience that was the Po10c, Party Crasher Game. The Strawberry Lips Dress to Impress Competition mixed one part elegant design with two parts clean development: the result? A sassy brand experience that proved so successful that it has gone on to be used for the product launch in Nigeria.
So Interactive doesn’t only speak the lingo of the South African Consumer; they are very capable of conversing with the various B2B decision-makers. 2015 saw So deliver a profitable social media strategy for recruitment agency, Quest Staffing Solutions, with plans this year to expand their brand through other digital channels. So also completed a successful web redesign for LMRG Performance Agency, while managing to step into the healthcare space, teaming up with design agency, five0six Design, to carry out the development of the Intercare Salubrity website.
Mansour says, “The new corporate collective model demands more from its agency. There is a calling for outsourced agencies and suppliers to work together towards a common client goal. We don’t believe in keeping all our talents close to our hearts. The more we share, the more we learn. This progressive agency partnership is an example of our recognition of the power of the collective. South Africa is filled with remarkable creative agencies, and what can be achieved for our clients when we combine our creative power is truly limitless.”
So Interactive’s growth spurt meant that the company needed a bigger space for their ideas and operations and with that, the team moved to Wessels Road in Rivonia, Johannesburg, in September 2015. The agency also launched their new digital home at the beginning of 2015 and the website was given an Honourable Mention on the top international web design site, Awwwards.
2015 might have been another fantastic year for the So Interactive team, but they have a feeling it has nothing on what 2016 is going to bring. Have a look at So Interactive’s porti at www.sointeractive.co.za or contact them for a consultation on 011 807 4621 or at az.oc.evitcaretnios@olleh.
