Hi there…

2012 was a difficult year in which I learnt a lot! I re-discovered that I am very fortunate to have friends and family who continually displayed huge amounts of commitment and love (the female constituency was exceptional). I realised that the Gentleman’s Agreement is in decline, and it’s better to promote a Lady’s Agreement. I also learnt, from a very scientific research sample of only two, that irresponsible people are ticklish (does this mean that ticklish people are less responsible?). I re-discovered the capacity or ordinary people to do extra-ordinary things when given the chance. I made a long term plan (because my environment allows me to). And finally (but sadly) I was reminded about bullying – a terrible thing that many adults suffer…

I am Crispen Sachikonye – welcome to my website. This is a collection of my ideas, experiences and work. I regularly update the site with blogs and project updates and, occasionally, I will call for help and ideas from here. So I hope you will visit regularly to increase our interaction.

I spend most of my time as an Executive Producer of television programming, and the rest of it as a random traveller. So I am no longer an ‘adman’ as many of you will know me as, but I still actively participate as a director and mentor in our ad agencies, and work with them to execute larger projects in brand building. However the greater focus of my work is now in media – which incidentally, was my first love.

My colleagues and I are now working to build a robust African media business that delivers audio-visual content on multiple platforms to southern African markets. This business is being built on the back of a model which includes the operation of news agencies; promoting citizen journalism; encouraging an open media; leveraging client contacts from our advertising connections; innovating in media; building media properties and working with professional, like-minded people.

When I considered this move from advertising, it seemed a natural progression. I believe creating content in this way is not too far from advertising (where we would spend our time creating 30 second stories or illustrated, one-page novels). Now I am helping tell stories in 30 minutes. Maybe one day I will tell longer stories…

So if you have any programming ideas or if you just want to say ‘hello’ or talk about advertising, then please go right ahead and send me an email. Kindest regards and I look forward to hearing from you.