THE PODCAST
How can we connect with others despite our differences? How do we balance strength and vulnerability, hope and realism? These questions and more are answered in the podcast, Willing & Abel – a space for hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives.
Building on the themes in Mike Abel’s book, Willing & Abel: Lessons from a Decade in Crisis, this podcast offers insight, wisdom and nuanced thought through interesting conversations with innovators, thought leaders and business people who all have one thing in common: they believe in driving society forward. Together with his guests, Mike addresses in a proactive and positive way the challenges of being in South Africa and the world right now.
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LATEST EPISODE
Lessons from a decade in crisis
How do you build a business when the economy is shot? How do you transform your company meaningfully, truly empower your people and create a stronger organisation that can change the world? How do you make the tough decisions in life, in business and in leadership, decisions that will benefit everyone in the long run?
In Willing & Abel, Mike Abel answers these questions and more, revealing the secret sauce behind the company’s success by sharing lessons hard-learned at the coalface of business, leadership and creativity over the last 30 years. Ethics and empowerment, trust and value, gut instincts and tough decisions – this is what it takes to build a business that is future-fit come rain, shine, pandemics or government corruption. An optimist to his core, Mike shows that – no matter the problems we face as a country, as a species and as a planet – we have everything we need to make it right.
THE BOOK
ABOUT MIKE
With 30 years of experience in advertising, Mike Abel is recognised as one of Africa’s leading marketing, advertising and communications specialists. He has co-led the largest communications group in Africa, Ogilvy South Africa; he ran the prestigious M&C Saatchi Group in Australia; and in February 2010, he founded M&C Saatchi Abel, the fastest-growing advertising agency in South Africa. In 2020 he published his first book, Willing & Abel: Lessons from a Decade in Crisis, and in 2024 he launched a podcast to continue the conversations started in his book on the themes of business, leadership and creativity.
M&C Saatchi Abel is involved in various social impact initiatives, including the Street Store – the world’s first free “pop-up-clothing store” for those in need. Mike’s personal interest in driving entrepreneurship has led him to consult to and support many NGOs and political parties in South Africa, to help build the economy and take on the scourge of corruption. He is a regularly published columnist and sought-after public speaker, and holds a strong interest in furthering global interest in contemporary African art.
AWARDS
2006 Advertising Leader in South Africa – Financial Mail
2012 Breakthrough Agency in South Africa – Finweek
2012 Advertising Achiever of the Year – Finweek
2015 Agency of the Year – Financial Mail
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