As I reflect on April’s whirlwind of long weekends and celebrations, freedom has been front of mind. South Africa recently celebrated Freedom Day, commemorating our country’s first democratic elections on the 27th of April 1994. This year, the bonus holiday on Monday meant I could enjoy an extra-long birthday weekend off — YAY!
April presented an extraordinary opportunity for a heady mix of leisure mixed with work, not just marked by a series of significant public holidays, but also for me, by unforgettable experiences in the waters around Cape Town. Freedom Day weekend specifically, provided a powerful backdrop for reflection, as I had the privilege of participating in a series of remarkable surfski paddling events.
Have you noticed that a quarter way through the year, less seems to be more in 2025? (Not always a good thing when it comes to things such as road maintenance, hospital funding and the like – but that’s a topic for another day). Perhaps it’s the Baader-Meinhof effect (also known as the frequency illusion) in full swing, but once I started thinking about dropping the things I don’t need in my life, the universe (and my ever-diminishing closet) began cheering me on.
14 years of freedom Fourteen years ago, Kim Browne and I took a leap of faith, leaving the security of corporate media life to embark on an entrepreneurial adventure. We envisioned a creative hybrid brand marketing agency that would seamlessly blend traditional strategies with innovative digital solutions. Thus, Twisted Toast Digital was born—a name symbolising our intent to put a unique spin on conventional marketing approaches.
There’s a certain crispness to the breeze lately, isn’t there? A whisper of something shifting, something new unfolding. It’s been a while since we last sent out the Toast Tribune, our little monthly love letter to you all. Life, as it does, got in the way—busy days turned into weeks, then months. But here we are, recommitting to this rhythm, dusting off the typewriter (or, well, the laptop) and pouring fresh energy into sharing our stories with you again.
Imagine you’re facing a tight deadline—campaign ideas aren’t flowing and your inbox won’t quit. It’s a grind I’ve seen wear down marketing teams time and again. The latest wave of large language model (LLM) AI, such as ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Claude, Gemini and xAI’s Grok—can lighten that load. But here’s the catch: Raw tech isn’t enough. At Twisted Toast Digital we’ve been mastering this since ChatGPT first hit the scene and our expertise turns these tools into super results you can’t get on your own. We’re in an AI surge right now. OpenAI’s GPT-4o and various reasoning models juggle text, images, deep search and voice with slick speed. DeepSeek’s R1 offers budget-friendly reasoning. Claude 3.7 Sonnet keeps it safe and polished. Gemini 2.0 Flash blends words and visuals.
The wildlife industry stages a pyrotechnic comeback amid renewed demand for top genetics Hoogenbomen, Lindleyspoort, North-West Province – Two huge LCD screens, framed by bright green LEDs blinking in sync with booming speakers filling the marquee with powerful sound, towered imposingly over the standing-room-only Piet du Toit Wildbedryf auction on Saturday, 15 February 2025. A massive, majestic buffalo bull appears on-screen, while in front of the auctioneer’s stage flame bursts reach up almost to the roof. The bull snorts, mock-charges the camera and shakes its formidable horns, holding the audience spellbound. Outside, a welcome drizzle continues, much to everyone’s delight.
Blending logic and emotion for effective marketing In the dynamic world of marketing, the art of persuasion stands as a cornerstone for creating compelling campaigns. At Twisted Toast Digital, we believe in the seamless integration of logic and emotion to craft messages that resonate deeply with our audience. This balanced approach not only captures attention but also drives action, ensuring our clients achieve their marketing goals effectively.
How brands can authentically embrace green initiatives In today’s world, sustainability is more than just a buzzword—it’s a critical component of responsible business practice and a significant factor influencing consumer choices. At The Toast, we understand that authentically embracing green initiatives is essential for brands that want to resonate with environmentally conscious consumers and make a positive impact on the planet. Here’s how brands can authentically integrate sustainability into their marketing strategies.
Why I love storytelling in our digital age Imagine a world overtaken by the glow of screens, where interactions are orchestrated by algorithms and responses curated by AI. While efficiency reigns supreme, a profound emptiness endures. This is the potential future we face should we lose sight of the very essence that makes us human: Our ability to connect, empathise and create new things.
