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Listening to Madiba's Stories

I was introducing a group of some of the top editors in the world to our former President Nelson Mandela, who we call Madiba. He was telling the same stories I have heard many times before, those ones that always raise a laugh. He is my inspiration and I am humbled to have met him.

Meeting Oprah in Chicago

Oprah hosted a group of top South African business people on an investment mission at her Harpo Studios. Her generosity of spirit and love for South Africa is genuine and moving. She spoiled us all with a lavish breakfast, a show on South Africa and personalised framed photographs. Her organisation reeks of professionalism

South Africans Get Down to Business with the Economist

Monica Singer, CEO Strate; Olly Comyn, Economist; Raisibe Morathi,economic advisor to the Deputy President. "I was most impressed by your delegation, without exception. So was Bill Emott, Editor. As your colleague Jim Sutcliffe said, it was a delightful mix of people, with that highly eloquent and forceful clutch of excellent women to the fore. You could not imagine such a group in many other places. Very good for the new South Africa." - Xan Smiley - Economist

IMC Board with President Thabo Mbeki

My Board at the International Marketing Council (IMC) who I was honoured to serve for almost seven years, with former South African President Thabo Mbeki.

SA London Mission - "Putting on the Ritz"

An investment mission in London - on our way to dinner with Goldman Sachs at the Ritz. Monhla Hlahla, Michael Spicer, Monica Singer, Wendy Luhabe and Bheki Sibiya.

Albie Sachs at the Constitutional Court

A highlight of my entire life was walking round the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg with Judge Albie Sachs… he knew the history and background of every piece of art and every detail of how carefully the Constitutional Court had been designed. I left elated.

Celebrating with Amapondo in Cape Town

The wonderful Amapondo, South Africa’s top percussion and marimba group. They featured in our first “Alive With Possibility” advertisement, “Today I woke up in South Africa”. Then one day, I chanced upon them in a restaurant in Cape Town and we had a mini - celebration.

Gill Marcus at my Farewell from the IMC

Gill Marcus, now Chairman of ABSA, but more importantly a supportive friend, at my farewell from the International Marketing Council in May 2008.

South Africa House in Trafalgar Square, London

Pictured with South African Ambassador Lindiwe Mabuza and Wendy Luhabe at South Africa House, Trafalgar Square, London.

IWFSA Board

International Women’s Forum of South Africa - we raise funds to award management bursaries to the next generation of leaders and create a worldwide network of women in leadership positions. Here I am with Nana Magomola, Joan Joffe , Maria Ramos, Pat Gorvalla, Anna Mokogong, Naledi Pandor, Zanele Mbekiand Veronica Devine.

Nation Branding and Communication Strategies

Yvonne Johnston is a renowned, experienced world-class communicator. She does everything from branding nations to personal consultations in terms of media management. She is a reputation manager par excellence.

This strategist who knows how to operationalise plans has served as the Chief Executive of a State Owned Enterprise, the International Marketing Council (IMC). Her experience of working as a private sector person with government, championing the cause of communication, has taught her that too many leaders ignore the importance of good communication, and then wonder why things go wrong.

Holistic and Big Picture View

Because of this unique perspective, Yvonne Johnston brings an holistic and big picture view to every project she takes on, because she truly understands the principles of running a business from many dimensions.

Yvonne Johnston, Marketer-at-Large - is a leading communication strategist, based in Johannesburg, South Africa. She specialises in the identity and reputation of places and is a recognized authority on nation branding. Multi-tasking and time management have never been a problem for Yvonne, who identifies her key skill set as problem solving and developing creative solutions to both marketing and business problems.

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(Marketer)
at large ADJECTIVE
1. (idiomatic) Having or observing few
restrictions or limitations;
unrestrained, not confined.
2. (idiomatic) Representing the whole,
rather than a section.

As a marketer-at-large,
Yvonne Johnston
is able to embrace the whole
marketing spectrum
and present holistic solutions.

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