Willing ... and Abel
Former Gqeberha resident Mike Abel is executive chair of M&C Saatchi Abel, one of the biggest advertising, marketing and communications consultancies in SA. He lives in Cape Town with his wife, Sara.
What can we expect from you in 2024?
Lots! I’m busy with my new podcast series ‘Willing & Abel’ which is about conversations with leaders in their various industries to help people make smart and informed decisions in their own lives. I have also become nonexecutive chair of an Irish-based research company that uses behaviour tech, AI and data to get powerful insights when conducting research. And then my two day jobs, sitting on the global leadership team of M&C Saatchi Plc worldwide, and being executive chairman of M&C Saatchi Abel and our group of companies on the African continent.
But before all of this, being a present and engaged husband and father.
What book or books are on your bedside table at the moment?
Fiction: Just finished Ken Follet’s latest sweeping saga ‘The Armour of Light’. Non-fiction, I’m reading Daniel Finkelstein’s biography called ‘Hitler. Stalin, Mum and Dad’ and the other excellent piece I am working through is ‘The Power of Regret: How looking backwards, moves us forwards’ by Daniel H Pink.
What is the most cherished item you own?
My parents owned an iconic high-end furniture shop and art gallery in the ‘70s and ‘80s in PE called Hallis. One of the pieces they brought home and which I grew up with is a magnificent Cecil Skotnes woodcut.
And though I am a contemporary African art collector, this particular piece has enormous sentimental value (aside from actual financial value too).
What’s your favourite childhood memory?
Having our weekly Sabbath suppers at my grandparents (Dr) Phillip and Lily Perl. The family would congregate at their apartment and catch up on news, culture, business and world affairs. My grandmother was an exceptional cook, so the food was always phenomenal.
If you weren’t an advertising exec what would you be?
I think I found my calling in marketing and advertising. I greatly enjoy business, psychology, problem solving, and creativity. And my career has provided me a wonderful combination of bringing these all together in one.
If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would they be and why?
Probably Leonardo da Vinci. His extraordinary left and right brain capacity. His fascination with both science and art. His ability to bring his ideas to life.
Who or what inspires you?
Creativity inspires me most. Reading a brilliant book, listening to an extraordinary piece of music or watching an amazing movie. It fuels my naturally curious and inquisitive mind.
Equally, nature. My three weekly walks on the mountains around my home.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Travel. Good food and wine. Visiting amazing places. All in one. And experiencing them with my wife and sons, Ricky, Jake and Anthony.
Tea or coffee?
Definitely coffee. And specifically the Abel family blend my mom, Hermione, worked on with James Masterton in 1972 until it hit the mark for her specific taste.
Do you have a favourite film?
I don’t think I could choose one as I love movies. But if I really had to, I’d say the James Bond franchise which I have watched my whole life from Sean Connery to Daniel Craig — and whomever comes next. Not just the “skop, skiet and donner” but the stylish locations, the innovative weapons, the villains, “Bond girls” and incredible locations.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
My mountain walks, hanging out with my family and friends.
Reading, watching movies, braaiing or being at our holiday home at Benguela Cove, outside Hermanus.
What do you typically get up to in the first two hours of waking up every day?
My first pleasure is my cup of Masterton’s coffee with ButtaNut almond milk. I then look at my diary and decide how formal I need to dress for the day ahead. Then I check my emails. I like to prioritise and plan my day.
What three causes are you most passionate about?
Trying to create a much kinder world. I have a deep and burning intolerance for intolerance, so I write and speak a lot about this.
Creating a sharing culture and inclusive economy. So leaning into upliftment and job creation initiatives. Empowering people with knowledge and insight. And granting access to education.
Clothing the homeless and poor. My company created The Street Store (www.thestreetstore.org) 10 years ago. It’s the world’s first rent free, premises free, free, pop-up clothing store for the homeless. It’s been my passion for a decade as the patron and to date more than 1,000 Street Stores have taken place around the world, clothing over one million people. Readers, why not host one?
If you could instantly solve one world problem, what would it be and why?
Intolerance. The world is being destroyed by social media channels becoming soap boxes of hate.
If you were to wake up as the opposite gender for 24 hours, how would you spend those hours?
I’d spend a while staring at myself naked in the mirror. Other than obvious physical differences, I don’t believe men and women are that different. I have grown up with strong and dynamic women around me. I am married to one. So, it would be odd to say that I would really do that much different to what I already do.
Maybe I would go to a book club, to hear what they really discuss.
Who was your biggest influence or inspiration?
My grandfather Dr Phillip Perl. He was a dentist, and honorary head of maxilla facial surgery at Livingstone Hospital. Studied in England. He brought dental X-rays to SA. A brilliant mind.
Can you sha*re a memorable
moment from your work?
My most memorable moment was starting M&C Saatchi Abel.
I had gone from co-leading the largest advertising and communications group, Ogilvy, with more than 900 people across 12 operating companies, across the continent, to heading the largest advertising group in Australia at the time, M&C Saatchi with over 450 people across five companies in Sydney and Melbourne.
To coming home and starting something from scratch. No people. No furniture. No clients.
And on day one I told the other 12 souls I had hired that in five year’s time we would win Financial Mail’s Best Large Advertising Agency in SA. And we did.
What would you list as your greatest achievement?
A happy marriage and raising three sons of whom I am exceptionally proud.
Do you have a secret talent that no-one knows about?
I think my ability to harness problem solving through my subconscious mind. I plant the seed in my mind. I consider the problem far more than looking for the answer or solution. And then I carry on with my life/day as normal, but my subconscious works away in the background on the problem. And then it comes to me. Yes, often in the shower or the middle of my sleep. So I sleep with a pen and notepad next to my bed, so I can capture it when it comes.
What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
Last year, while skiing in Alpe D’Huez with my wife and sons I got a brain-fart to go straight down the slope without doing any turns. I still can’t work out why or how this happened.
Initially I found it fast, exciting and thrilling, it then became terrifying. When I got to the bottom safely I had this simultaneous feeling of thrill and the tremors from the stupidity, adrenaline and fear of what I had just done.