The conference says that throughout the day marketers, creatives and entrepreneurs were entertained and inspired to think differently about marketing relevance, according to the conference.

The host Gugulethu Mfuphi, together with her co-hosts Xolisa Dyeshana, group creative director at Joe Public and Preetesh Sewraj, CEO of Loeries, led a group of 30 thought leaders — some presenting in-studio and others remotely.

The conference adds that social media was ablaze, reaching more than 90 000 people via Twitter alone, as each thought leader spurred delegates into active consideration of the roles that we as marketers play in the relevance stakes.

Delegates were taken from the basics of considering their own social media footprints as outlined by Maps Maponyane, through to the intricacies of how people engage with marketing messages at a deep level as articulated by Bernice Samuels.

The conference says that international speakers provided insight from a global perspective.

Greg Hoffman outlined the emotive qualities that skyrocketed Nike's relevance among consumers, says the IMC. Ben Williams looked at creativity beyond the end result of a transaction and Kathryn Williams explained the importance of practically measuring and valuing brands and creativity.

Nedbank IMC CEO Dale Hefer adds her thanks to the 30 thought leaders who had shared insights during the day.

Hefer concludes, "We remain committed to marketing's place at the boardroom table and today further entrenched that mission."

Khensani Nobanda, Nedbank group executive of group marketing and corporate affairs, wrapped up the day's proceedings with the announcement of the 2022 bursary winners. These were two of the eight bursaries that have been awarded since the conference's launch in 2019.

According to the IMC, the day's proceedings will be distilled into a white paper that will be freely accessible from the Nedbank IMC website by the end of August.

For more information, visit www.imcconference.com. You can also follow the Nedbank IMC Conference on Facebook or on Twitter.