About | The Making of Native

The Digital Revolution is a Consumer Revolution.

Marketers are no longer the sole proprietors of their brands. Today, brands are co-owned by their customers. To remain relevant within this people-powered market place, brands must deliver shared value. Simply telling people about your products and services is no longer enough. You have to give them something in return.

Marketers who make this shift from “telling and selling” to building mutually-beneficial relationships, unlock new levels of affinity for their brands. They transform their customers into fans. They extend their reach with relevance, trade cynicism for trust, and embed their brands firmly into the cultural conversation.

At NATIVE, we strive to achieve these high levels of Brand Advocacy by creating purpose-driven work that lives in people’s lives.

Our History

In 2010 we made history by merging three of South Africa's leading specialist digital agencies (Brandsh, Cambrient and Stonewall+ Digital Marketing) to form NATIVE, South Africa's premiere full service digital marketing agency. It was an industry landmark and we have been breaking new ground ever since. We invite you to share in our future as we continue on this exciting journey into The Making of Native.

Client Experience

NATIVE works across multiple industry sectors including automotive, beauty & health, consumer goods & electronics, financial services, manufacturing, retail and tourism, including the following clients:

Personalities

Jason Xenopoulos
Chief Executive Officer

Jason Xenopoulos / Chief Executive Officer

Jason, the CEO at NATIVE, has a creative and digital rap sheet as diverse as it is impressive. From filmmaking to company start-ups with many awards in between, Jason has been involved in almost every aspect of the media industry. In 2010 he made the vision of NATIVE a reality, and in 2011 he snapped up the highly-coveted Bookmark award for Best individual contribution to South Africa's Digital Media and Marketing industry.
Angus Robinson
Director: Mobile, Content, Community & Media

Angus Robinson / Director: Mobile, Content, Community & Media

Angus has been a significant part of the South African digital industry for over 15 years. In 2006, he started Brandsh Media, which was one of the three companies which joined forces to form NATIVE. A man of passion and vision, Angus uses his skills to inspire and power projects from concept to execution.
Ben Wagner
Chief Marketing Warrior

Ben Wagner / Chief Marketing Warrior

Previously the CEO of Stonewall+, Ben leads the Cape Town office and is responsible for growing the brand presence within the region. He has served the wider digital industry on multiple levels including chairing the interactive category at the Loeries, Bookmark and Creative Circle awards as well as serving on the DMMA Exco. Drawing inspiration from his passion for surfing, Ben knows when in business to ride the wave and when to just put your head down and paddle.
Jarred Cinman
Managing Director

Jarred Cinman / Managing Director

Jarred is a longstanding member of the South African digital industry, having founded one of the first professional web service firms, VWV, in 1995 and being the Deputy Chair of the Digital Media & Marketing Association DMMA. In 2010 his company Cambrient merged with Stonewall+ Digital Marketing and Brandsh to form NATIVE. As Managing Director, his rare combination of technical proficiency, creativity and confidence to power ideas to reality, creates a culture of innovation.
Kevin Lourens
Chief Growth Officer

Kevin Lourens / Chief Growth Officer

Kevin was a founding member of one of South Africa’s first Internet Agencies, VWV Interactive, and he was part of the team who started Cambrient in 2000. Since Cambrient merged to form NATIVE in 2010, Kevin has been key in the company’s development in his role as Chief Growth Officer.
David James
Head of NATIVE Conversations

David James / Head of NATIVE Conversations

With a rather odd sense of humour, and famed for his crazy dance, it’s quite fitting that David is the head of NATIVE Conversations. The division comprises Media and Social Media departments, ensuring David’s experience, from Finance and HR to Strategy and Consulting, is effectively used.
Hilton Veldsman
Client Service Director

Hilton Veldsman / Client Service Director

Hilton has 20 years of experience in the advertising industry across all disciplines: ATL, BTL, Direct, Digital, Events and Media; but his passion lies in the area of client service. He is a member of the DMA (Direct Marketing Association) of South Africa, Institute of Marketing Management, IOD (Institute of Directors South Africa) and the Black Management Forum.
Diane Wilson
Operations Director

Diane Wilson / Operations Director

Diane has played a key role in digital agencies since joining VWV interactive in late 1996. In 2001, Di was a founder of Cambrient Internet Applications where she assumed responsibility for finance and operations. Post the merger of Cambrient into NATIVE, Di assumed the role of Operations Director, with responsibility for day-to-day operations of the business across both cities.
Ryan McManus
Executive Creative Director

Ryan McManus / Executive Creative Director

Ryan has worked as a creative in South Africa, London, Amsterdam, Lisbon and Munich. He has conceptualized and creative directed and directed in film global campaigns at leading agencies such as EURO RSCG Amsterdam and Serviceplan Munich and various think tanks, , for many well-known brands such as BMW, Nike, Sony Ericsson, M-TV, Vodafone, Volvo, Smirnoff, J&B, Evian, Shell, Levis, Expedia, Continental and Citroen. He is excited to bring back his wealth of knowledge (and awards) to SA as the Executive Creative Director at NATIVE.