Zimbabwe’s marketers gather to discuss building resilient brands

This year’s edition ran under the theme ‘Marketing in Motion: Building Resilient Brands in Uncertain Times’. The convention served as a timely reminder that in an era defined by disruption, adaptability, purpose and innovation are the true currencies of brand endurance and relevance. 

The sessions unfolded with compelling insights from a dynamic blend of local and international thought leaders, each bringing a fresh perspective to the evolving marketing landscape.  

MAZ Chief Executive Officer, Gillian Rusike, set the tone with a powerful keynote address which reminded marketers that true resilience is not defined by merely surviving uncertainty, but by thriving within it, turning challenges into opportunities for growth.  

Rusike emphasised that brands anchored in authenticity, emotional intelligence and a customer-centric purpose are the ones that will endure and lead the future. As he eloquently put it, “Together we have come far and together we are going far.” 

Eb Asiya brought the crowd to life with his session titled ‘Building Winning Campaigns’. He dissected the anatomy of successful campaigns, showing how data, creativity and storytelling combine to build emotional resonance and lasting impact.  

Embrace innovation and see disruption as an opportunity 

Tendai Simende took delegates on an exciting exploration of ‘Marketing in the Age of Disruption’, challenging professionals to embrace innovation, move with agility, and see disruption as an opportunity to reinvent rather than retreat.    

Kangai Maukazuva tackled the theme of ‘Resilient Design and Reinventing Strategy Amidst Economic Uncertainty’, urging brands to design for durability and to continuously reimagine their strategies in line with shifting realities. 

Adding a futuristic edge, Leroy Mugova unpacked ‘Future Trends in Marketing’, focusing on the power of predictive analytics and marketing technology to transform efficiency, personalisation and decision-making. His insights were a wake-up call to the profession, reminding marketers that data is now the driving force of modern strategy.  

Throughout the convention, one message echoed clearly: Resilient brands are those that move with purpose, stay attuned to their customers and are bold enough to evolve. Marketers were challenged to create sustainable brand ecosystems that nurture loyalty, build advocacy and deliver long-term growth.  

Artificial Intelligence and predictive analytics emerged as essential tools in understanding consumer behaviour and driving smarter business decisions. Delegates were reminded that failure is not the end but part of the process of becoming; that boldness fuels innovation, and that culture remains the invisible force behind every successful brand. 

To find out more about the 17th Annual Marketers Convention and other MAZ activities, visit the MAZ website here.