V5 Africa presents: Web3 - How Disruptive Marketing Technologies are Changing the Game

In Web3, we don't just use the web. We shape it, mould it, and define it. We're the architects of our digital destiny.

Will we give AI fire? A while back the author and humorist Stephen Fry shared an intriguing concept that we will all need to confront in the near future.

He explains that in Greek mythology, Prometheus fashioned humans from mud and breath, duping Zeus into giving us fire. As retribution, Zeus created Pandora the first woman, bestowed with all the gifts from the gods and a jar she was forbidden to open. Pandora, unable to resist, opened it, releasing misfortune, disease, and plagues, but also hope into the world.

Contrary to popular belief that stems from a mistranslation, Pandora did not open a box, but rather, a jar.

Fire can literally mean, what we braai our meat on or what we used to become bronze-aged man, but also represents the internal fire of self-consciousness, creativity, and innovation. If you look at this story through a modern lens we can all agree that the gods were wrong to deny mankind our independence, our enlightenment, our fire.

Shift to 1983 the world is fascinated by something truly exciting, the networking of networks, the birth of the internet. This was our “all-gifted”. We had access to more knowledge, we could share things like art and science, and we could trade like never before. Social media was created and we connected and communicated on an unprecedented scale.

Web1 was the beginning, yet even then it was clear it would be the canvas on which the future would be painted

But…the lid opened and out came trolls, privacy issues, scammers and the worst of humanity. It is important to keep in mind that when we create something that seems perfect it often contains the opposite as well.

Recently a new divine fire has been lit. We've entered the era of Web3 and Blockchain, ushering in peer-to-peer transactions, fortified security, increased transparency, direct user engagement, and the integration of AI for enhanced accuracy, personalized content, and intuitive interfaces.

The three stages of the web so far. Source - https://bueno.art/blog/whats-web3

As with all innovations, these new technologies are not without challenges. It is complex, there is a lack of regulatory clarity, and it can be daunting for the average business person to know how to approach and profit from these disruptive technologies. But there is hope at the bottom of the jar.

V5 Digital, an African digital marketing agency, known for its fascinating V5 Africa Webinar Series, recently explored the topic: Web3 - How Disruptive Marketing Technologies are Changing the Game with the expert keynote Brad Wilson.

Catch the replay and let Brad, the founder of Must Disrupt and Digital Acceleration Manager at Ohlthaver & List Group of Companies, be your guide to a new marketing landscape transformed into a dynamic, decentralized universe, where users are not just passive consumers but active participants in shaping their online experiences.

So what does the future hold? While most would concur that Zeus did not create us, we humans are rapidly advancing towards the intelligent design of a sentient species and building an internet which is becoming ever more autonomous. The future has never been more existentially transformative as we get ever closer to creating true Artificial Intelligence and a fully realized Web3.

The question will be. Do we give it fire? Will we adjust and engage profitably with this groundbreaking internet and AI or will we fear it, becoming as obsolete as the Greek gods in our modern age?

Join V5 Africa in exploring Web3, AI, the Metaverse, and Blockchain, to better understand these technological advancements that will undoubtedly shape our digital future.

Watch the replay now and equip yourself with the tools to thrive in this new era of digital evolution by clicking the button below.

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Techsys Digital and V5 Digital create Innovation success through Collaboration

Just as two established varietals can come together to create an exciting new wine, so blending two marketing agencies can elevate each other in interesting ways.

Like a Bordeaux, two Digital Marketing Agencies working together can provide a more complex and nuanced experience

Techsys Digital and V5 Digital are African at heart, and as such, have the spirit of Ubuntu flowing through their veins. They understand that it sometimes takes a digital village to raise particular projects into something truly innovative.

Magic happens where the unrelenting Namibian desert meets the mighty Orange River

Even though both of these companies think very globally it’s nice to have a neighbour on the other side of the Orange River to bounce ideas off of. The unique terroir of South African soil and Namibian sand can shape ideas and should not be underestimated. It’s never a bad idea to check in with knowledgeable locals when representing a brand beloved in their home country.

Blending Brilliance: Andrew and Armin, the dynamic duo of Digital Marketing harness the power of collaboration

This is why Andrew Walmsley and Armin Wieland, founders of Techsys Digital and V5 Digital respectively, have a mutually beneficial digital marketing relationship. These two purveyors of digital dopamine have similar goals and desires, that when aligned, enhance the projects they collaborate on.

Collaborating can blend different skills and expertise to create a powerful, harmonious result

As Andrew Walmsley explains, "At Techsys Digital, we see great potential in emerging technologies such as AI, image recognition, and big data, and we're committed to introducing these services in Southern Africa. We understand that innovation is a team effort, it flourishes through collaboration. Our partnership with V5 Digital is a step towards ensuring these technologies are rolled out effectively and efficiently."

Joint marketing efforts can lead to increased brand awareness and visibility, generating more leads and conversions

In the same vein, ARMIN WIELAND says: ”Algorythm Labs is the innovation and ideation hub at V5 Digital. Here we create amazing solutions - most often first to market - together with our collaborators and clients. We utilise The Lean Startup Way to rapidly test and learn so that we can consistently create customer solutions that solve real business problems. Deepening our collaboration Partnership with Techsys Digital will allow us to launch innovative solutions faster and at scale.”

Just as a Bordeaux blend combines different grape varieties to achieve a unique flavour profile, two marketing agencies can bring together their individual strengths to create a more complete and effective marketing strategy. Consulting a like-minded business that recognises and plays to each other’s strengths can lead to fresh ideas that benefit clients, customers, and consumers.

You can’t make the world’s most popular red blend with only one type of wine so V5 Digital appreciates that they’ve found the Cabernet Sauvignon to their Merlot. Both of these are undeniably great wines but sometimes nothing hits the spot quite like a well-rounded Bordeaux.

About Techsys Digital:

Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Techsys is a full-service digital marketing agency whose talented team crafts results-driven campaigns and platforms. We provide innovative digital solutions to our portfolio of world-class clients.

About V5 Digital:

V5 Digital is a leading Digital Marketing Agency based in Windhoek, Namibia - serving Customers around the Globe - from startups in Bio Energy to Blue Chip Financial Services Clients. ​We partner with Global Customer Success Leaders Salesforce, Constant Contact and Rocketseed.

V5 Digital joins the Climate Conversation: Insights from The Gathering - Earth Edition

Charting the Course of Action: The Gathering - Earth Edition Agenda

As a Pledge 1% participant, we at V5 Digital were eager to attend The Gathering: Earth Edition, hosted by the Daily Maverick, a much-anticipated event aimed at addressing Africa’s energy crises, the economy and climate change.

With over 1800 attendees, 5000 virtual viewers and a diverse group of experts from business, science, and politics, The Gathering was an entertaining and powerful presentation sparking crucial conversations about sustainability.

20Twenties- Eve of Destruction

The event kicked off with journalist Rebecca Davis delivering a humourous and spirited speech emphasizing the urgency to break away from the conventional and dreary discourse surrounding climate change. This topic is often boring and depressing but we can no longer afford to ignore it!

Rebecca points out that even the invasive Eastern grey squirrels running around our office parks are developing bigger feet and shorter spines to deal with the heat. How appropriate that African mammals are leading the way when it comes to adapting to climate change.

Next André de Ruyter, the former CEO of Eskom joined via Zoom, to talk about 5 important E’s.

1. Energy Crises: South Africa needs power and wind and solar are the way to go.

2. Economy: We need to capitalise on foreign investments in clean energy.

3. Exports: The world is becoming more sustainable and carbon taxes are looming.

4. Employment and Equity: Transitioning to clean energy could create 300 000 new jobs but instead of creating ghost towns we need to upskill coal industry workers.

5. Environment: As global citizens, we need to put the health of our citizens and planet first.

De Ruyter also hammered home the fact that our water-poor southern hemisphere could free up an enormous amount of water by switching to renewable energy. Over 270 billion litres of water is used by Eskom each year in our current coal-dominant power system. This wasted water could mean the difference between life and death if we experience a megadrought in the future.

Renewable energy initiatives could mean more and cheaper power in the future

The panels that followed struck a beautiful balance of showing the realities of the climate crisis and the hope that innovative, sustainable solutions can bring. Amidst the sobering statistics, there was an air of optimism and urgency, a shared understanding that change is necessary and that it can indeed be achieved.

A personal highlight was the panel, Expectations of Youth where two brilliant young activists showed that Gen-Z are anything but lethargic when it comes to inspiring change. Raeesah Noor-Mohamed and Otsile Nkadimeng made it clear that the challenges our poorer communities face are linked to climate change. Those with the power need to step up!

Who Should Own Energy Production with Otsile Nkadimeng

Otsile Nkadimeng says the youth need to be informed, take action and be willing to vote. His call to action is to let young people lead, and that change will not come from those who have had power for years it will come from the new generation.

“We are not fighting over the issues of the rainbow nation, we are fighting over the ashes of the rainbow nation" - Otsile Nkadimeng

The event also featured an interesting interplay between artificial intelligence and climate change. Himanshu Gupta, the CEO and Co-Founder of ClimateAI discussed the potential of AI in identifying and predicting climate patterns more efficiently than humans. AI might one day be used to preempt climate risks and help us adapt to them.

Gugulethu Mahlangu, an aquaponics horticulturalists and CEO of House Harvest, demonstrated how AI helps her monitor and interpret data from the fish she uses to create nutrients for her vegetables, showing how AI can become an integral tool in climate-smart farming.

Poll conducted at the event

Kumi Naidoo, a human rights activist, voiced a grave warning against "Affluenza," the excessive consumerism that fuels the climate crisis. He urged for a reduction in consumption, stating that our survival hangs in the balance with a 1.5 degrees Celsius temperature rise marking a point of catastrophic and irreversible climate change. While he used to chant the phrase “1.5 to stay alive”, he now chants “1.5 we might stay alive”.

"Pessimism is a luxury we cannot afford" - Kumi Naidoo

A recurring theme throughout the event was the role of business in addressing the climate crisis. Discussions revolved around whether businesses were genuinely committed to sustainability or merely greenwashing. There was a unanimous call for the corporate world to leverage their resources and influence for environmental betterment, urging transparency and integrity in their sustainability commitments.

The Gathering was a collection of fascinating instances: ChatGPT delivered an Eminem-style rap addressing climate change, Bill McKibben, the author of the first book on climate change, said if we don’t win fast we’ll never win, and Richard Poplak proposed a flexitarian rather than a vegan diet as Africans are unlikely to braai broccoli.

Dr Imtiaz Sooliman reminds us of the importance of getting involved, doing what you can, and encouraging others to give back

The event concluded with a truly heartwrenching speech by Dr Imtiaz Sooliman founder of Gift of the Givers showing how his organization has helped mitigate the impact of climate change on humans, animals, and bees. It is sad but sobering to be reminded of the loss of life that awaits us if we do not act now.

V5 Digital votes for the first option!

The Gathering: Earth Edition has been more than an event. It has been an urgent call to action, a rallying cry for collective efforts in the face of our world's most pressing issue and V5 Digital is listening and ready to double down on our commitment to sustainability.