Behold

The Marketing Zoo, just a normal marketing company – with so much more! We are fresh & innovative with marketing in its wildest form. Name it and we will do it. Developing brands since 2014. Building relationships since 2008.

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Wait… What?

The Marketing Zoo, just a normal marketing company – with so much more! The company is fresh & innovative with marketing in its wildest form. Clients can be assured to request and receive any type of marketing solutions – in its wildest form. Public relations, branding, outdoor advertising, digital strategy, social media, design, event management & entertainment needs is some of our expertise. Our team of young professionals will make sure that you get noticed. Mission: Strive to live successfully in the business environment with experience, honesty and good relationships by being innovative in the industry we know best – MARKETING.

We take pride in managing your project / brand like our own. Your goals, needs and budget becomes our strategy. Previous / current projects include: Well-known artist management, Festival line-up & marketing management, Event coordination, PR & marketing strategy for franchising, PR & bookings for artists, Brand analysis & consulting for leading companies, Social Media management for successful brands, Entertainment bookings for corporate clients, specific design needs, noticable outdoor exposure – MARKETING in its widest form! We are not going to boast with all our success (or failure) stories, please ask us about what we have done / are still doing and we will gladly discuss this over a cup of coffee – we hope you like Zoo cookies? Let’s greet, meet and analyze your need.

It’s about the journey.

Founder, Wian Smith-Venter, is a B.Comm Marketing Management graduate from the University of Johannesburg. Since 2008 Wian worked in the Marketing & Media industry by fulfilling various roles in professional structures. During this time he took responsibility for some of South Africa’s biggest artists and was involved in a lot of successful projects and events. WS Marketing was founded in 2014 and the birth of The Marketing Zoo followed in 2017. Teamwork makes the dream work with our highly skilled team of young professionals and we take pride in our valued relationships and strong connections. We are all lovers of entertainment, marketing & brand building and strive for success in every aspect. a Goal without a plan is just a wish. We don’t let our clients wish – we dream together and make it happen. Building brands is our biggest passion and our expertise branched into various aspects. We live, work and sleep by this – To be INSPIRED is great, to INSPIRE is incredible. In this zoo, any animal is welcome and we use different strategies to create marketing in it’s wildest form.

“Let’s work hard, but have fun while we do it”: Wian Smith-Venter, Managing Director

The Zookeepers, they’re a talented bunch:

The only way to create great things every day is with great people who truly enjoy what they are doing, we make sure to only hire the best. So who are the real people behind all the smoke and mirrors?

Wian Smith-Venter

Brand Buffalo
Key Function: CEO & Founder
Like: Avo
Dislike: Negativity

Ilzé Saunders

Marketing Monkey
Key Function: MD (SA)
Like: Smiles
Dislike: Unproductiveness

Lettie Nkuna

Social Squirrel
Key Function: Social Strategist
Like: Listening to music
Dislike: Crowded places

Michelle Alberts

Creative Cat
Key Function: Content Specialist
Like: Chai Tea
Dislike: Laziness

Jaco Smith-Venter

Financial Fish
Key Function: Accounting
Like: Sailing Yacht
Dislike: Pretentiousness

Jeváhn Marais

Technical Turtle
Key Function: Technical Support
Like: To Braai
Dislike: Raisins

Vicki van der Merwe

Entertainment Eagle
Key Function: Entertainment & PR Specialist
Like: To make people happy
Dislike: Dishonesty

Juanita Roos

Creative Cheetah
Key Function: Entertainment Creative Zookeeper
Like: Plants
Dislike: Bullying

Tania van Zyl

Creative Caterpillar
Key Function: Content Specialist
Like: Loyalty
Dislike: Turkish Delight

Emile Opperman

Content Cockatoo
Key Function: Content Specialist
Like: Travelling
Dislike: Spoilers

Pieter Smith

Project Panther
Key Function: Financial and Project Director
Like: Being Active
Dislike: Arrogance

Mariza Pace

Creative Chipmunk
Key Function: Corporate Creative Zookeeper
Like: A good braai
Dislike: Untidiness

Zanel Erasmus

Creative Chameleon
Key Function: Strategic Zoolander
Like: Tuna Sashimi
Dislike: Unfinished tasks

Kailin de Lange

Creative Cricket
Key Function: Strategic Zoolander
Like: Ice cream
Dislike: Asparagus

Max Ziervogel

Lead Generator Alligator
Key Function: Lead Generation & Digital Marketing
Like: Sheep
Dislike: Coriander

The birds are singing:

  • We are involved with so many events and the marketing thereof, we see what works and what doesn’t. The Team at Marketing Zoo has their ear to the ground, stays relevant with trends and understands their target markets, from one type of event to the next. The team is hands on, project driven and always available to event organiser and ticketing service provider alike. Working with them on projects are just the natural thing to do! We love Team Marketing Zoo. Charlene McKenzie - CEO

    Tixsa
  • Dit is met n dankbare hart dat ons vir Wian en sy span by Marketing Zoo baie dankie wil se vir al hulle harde werk en vasberadenheid met ons Fees se Sosiale Media en Kunstenaarsbestuur. Julle loop van dag een af die pad saam met ons en is eintlik deel van die Familie. Ons waardeer alles wat julle vir ons doen en sal graag die pad saam met julle wil loop vir nog baie jare wat kom. Leon & Rochelle Pheiffer - Organiseerders

    Proe’toria Fees
  • It is with great pleasure that I recommend The Marketing Zoo. I have known the owner of The Marketing Zoo, Wian Smith-Venter for quite some years, and find him and his team to be individuals who will leave no stone unturned to offer a service that boasts itself with integrity and skill. Qualities such as trustworthy, straightforward and honest business acumen come to mind in working with the Zoo team. Furthermore, their pro-activeness is a key motivating factor to continue conducting business with The Marketing Zoo. I'm confident to recommend The Marketing Zoo to anyone seeking world-class standard services in their field. We have been working together on allot of projects, and cannot recommend a better company to work with. Henk Henderson – CEO

    Henderson Worx & De Harte Venue
  • If you want you're project or brand to be taken to the next level, then The Marketing Zoo is the perfect option for you. Speaking from experience i can honestly say that this is the most hard working, on time, professional and yet so kind company I've ever had the privilege to work with. Everything that the Zoo touches, turns into gold. From 0 to 100 real quick.

    Armand Joubert
  • Julle gee ‘n nuwe betekenis aan die woorde “ kunstenaars bemarking”!  Julle neem eienaarskap van elke kunstenaar se persoonlike behoeftes en voorkeure.  “The Marketing Zoo”  gaan uit hulle pad uit om vir elke kunstenaar ‘n plek te skep in die musiek industrie.  Julle Stap saam met ons ‘n pad wat partykeer maar ‘n grondpad kan wees. Julle ondersteuning en advies beteken die wereld vir elke persoon wat julle pad kruis.  Baie dankie aan die Nommer EEN PR Maatskappy in Suid Afrika!

    Kirsten Richard & Span
  • ñ Dieretuin is ñ plek wat nog altyd vir my ñ gevoel van liefde en omgee gegee het. Hierdie Dieretuin gee meer as dit. Hulle gee nog kennis en passie daarby. Wian en sy span verstaan bemarking en gaan uit hulle pad uit om dit met soveel oorgawe te doen. Hulle passie is aansteeklik en ek is trots om hulle deel van my span te hê. Rene du Preez, Finansiele Adviseur en Motiveringspreker

    Rene du Preez
  • All through the past few years, I have had the privilege to work with - The Marketing Zoo. Whether it be the “Brand Buffalo” or the “Entertainment Eagle” the whole team boasts with a NATURAL aptitude for detail, passion and service delivery. Their abilities are WILD and form the foundation of their attentive & truthful qualities which sets The Marketing Zoo apart from any other business in their field. The Marketing Zoo left the “CAGE DOOR” open in their approach to creativity as it is continuously very evident in their unique conceptualization of marketing campaigns promotions and events. It is with great pleasure that I recommend The Marketing Zoo because ZOO-things matter and so do you! Pierre F. Botha

    Experience Architect – NewNext Consulting
  • It is with great appreciation that I would like to thank Wian and his team at Marketing Zoo for the incredible work they do for us here at EPH Group.  The level of detail and creativity is awesome and we love to work with them. Leon Pheiffer - CEO

    EPH Group
  • Dit is n absolute plesier om met Wian en sy span by Marketing Zoo te werk en ons waardeer hulle opreg baie. Die kreatiwiteit van hulle werk en hoe hulle met oorgawe aan alles werk is vir ons so positief. Baie dankie vir al julle harde werk. Rochelle Pheiffer – Owner

    Monte De Dios
  • Jy kan nie verkeerd gaan met The Marketing Zoo nie. Ons het hulle al vir ‘n paar bermarkings doeleindes gebruik en elke keer het hulle ons in die oortreffende trap beindruk. Hulle werk is professioneel en puik. Ons sal hulle beslis aanbeveel en julle sal nie beter êrens anders kry nie. Coleske Artists

    Coleske Artists
  • It is such a pleasure to work with The Marketing Zoo, always friendly and their positive energy while working under pressure is a great quality. Lizanie Jordaan

    Dis-Chem Boobaloo Expo
  • We have to focus on entertainment and the experience customers have at the Centre while shopping and The Marketing Zoo assists us to achieve these objectives. Work delivered by them is always of high quality and our team enjoy working with them. Elizma Mouton

    Wonderpark
  • Hierdie is so kort nota om julle te bedank vir julle ongelooflike passie en ondersteuning met ons produk waarmee ons julle borg. Dit is uiters selde dat 'n mens so 'n positiewe, passievolle, opwindende verhouding met 'n groep mense het en dan baie spesifiek jy Wian Smith Venter! Madeline Fourie

    Renault SA
  • We have been working with The Marketing Zoo for a couple of years and I can definitely say that they have NEVER disappointed us! Each Event is unique and professionally planned and Coordinated and a must used service when it comes to putting some entertainment together that the whole family can enjoy!

    Menlyn Park Shopping Centre
  • Not only was it a pleasure to work with The Marketing Zoo because of their professionalism, respect and kindness but also their efficiency in the workplace was outstanding - in a time where people often postpone or are just available when the artist is around. I am delighted to say that from my very first day in South Africa until my very last, Wian and his team were there for me. Wishing them nothing but the best wherever they may go. Patrizio Buanne - International multi-platinum recording artist and entertainer

    Patrizio Buanne
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