“BECAUSE THE WORK THAT I DO IS ABOUT SOLVING PROBLEMS, I HAVE TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH PROBLEMS. IF THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS, THERE WON’T BE AGENCIES. IT IS IMPORTANT
TO PRACTISE PROBLEM-SOLVING BOTH PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY.
Communication at MTV Networks Africa. DNA Brand Architects is the best in its class in the industry and is one of Adweek’s Top 100 Fastest Growing Agencies in the world. As a black professional, you walk into an untransformed advertising industry and have to dispel misconceptions and prejudice. Even with 25 years of experience, I have in this business, I still have to walk into a room and prove that I am the right person for the job, and that’s because I don’t have the luxury of having an automatic ticket into a place. We’ve had to stay resilient as black professionals in this industry,” said Chauke. When asked what his favourite project is that he’s worked on, Chauke said a campaign involving personal care brand, Nivea, is one of them. “We did a campaign with Nivea called ‘Your Shade of Beautiful’ and it was to say, because you’re dark-skinned, it doesn’t mean you’re not beautiful. We have people of different darker shades to celebrate their different shades of beauty. This campaign won us many local and global accolades for the bold statement and creativity,” said Chauke. His advice to students who look to walk the path he has taken? “A career is not something you put in the microwave which will be done in two years. It is a lifelong process of learning, discipline and focus. So my advice to young people is that you have to be willing to walk that journey, be patient, and be willing to grow in that space. I believe we can teach young people to be a lot more resilient, to have a work ethic.” According to him, Ms Andre Christal made him fall in love with the idea of communication. “I can name a lot of people who were my lecturers at UJ who are the gems of the institution and the University is nothing without them. It is those individuals who I have communications and engagements with even now because there is an appreciation for what we are trying to do. Even though I am no longer at UJ, I continue to have a beautiful connection with it, through intentions, lecturing, office visits, supporting students and the likes. I am an advocate for my University because it has a lot of good men and women who want to see young people meet their purpose in life. I am grateful and thankful for the path I have taken and for their hand in helping me get to this point,” he said.
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