Now in its 15
th year, the three sub-boards’ representatives (kids, teens and young adults) are chosen because they are savvy, sussed and smart. They are selected to enlighten HDI and its clients with their frank and forward-thinking insight and ideas. And the search for the 2015/16 Board is on.
“We look for sharp minds that represent the thought leaders in their peer groups on the ground. Book smarts, street smarts, social smarts … boys, girls, ‘kasi kids and suburban divas … they are all in there. Because that’s what it takes to stay on top of the goings on in youth’dom Mzansi,” says Jason Levin, managing director at HDI Youth Marketeers.
The application process
starts here. The best responses get an audition, and then a round of panel interviews result in the selection of the final 2015/16 Board members.
Alumni of HDI’s Junior Board include hip hop artist Lesley ‘Da L.E.S’ Mampe; former
YFM presenter, now on
5FM, Tumi Voster; Anthony Bila, blogger and global pop culture photographer; Alex Rawhani, celebrity dentist and musician aka Dr Smile/LexLeo, but also lawyers, doctors, TV producers, social entrepreneurs and other game changers.
“It’s amazing to have your opinion heard, and your views take on board by adults that count. I have benefitted hugely from being on JBoD,” says Antonio Motta-Marques, a two-term Board member who has been not only an adviser to HDI and their clients in 2013-15, but also represented HDI and SA youth thinking on various platforms from conferences to radio and TV shows.