Mike Stopforth
Mike Stopforth is an expert communicator and facilitator, passionate about exploring ideas and building value at the intersection of leadership, technology, and impact.
He is the Managing Director of Flume Digital Marketing, one of South Africa’s leading independent full-service agencies. In his role at Flume he equips senior business leaders with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital age and keep themselves – and their organisations – relevant and competitive both now and into the future.
Mike is a digital pioneer. Before Beyond Binary, he founded Africa’s leading social media agency Cerebra, which WPP acquired in 2013. In 2007, Mike co-founded Afrigator.com, an African content aggregator, which sold to Naspers. He is a globally-renowned public speaker, lecturer and moderator. Having spoken at close to 500 conferences, some of his feedback includes:
- “Best speaker of the day. Great Energy!” and “absolutely brilliant. Would love to see more of his presentations”.
- “I organised TEDx Pretoria where Mike shared his ‘Ideas worth spreading’. Although he had another event on the same day, he showed up early, enthused and ready for action. Mike not only has amazing talent as a presenter, he is also knowledgeable and passionate. I would definitely recommend him.” – Linda Swart
- “I’ve known Mike Stopforth for the past decade and on a dozen occasions or more he’s addressed various events my company hosts in the media and brand communications space. In a sea of mediocre speakers, Mike is one of a kind. His subject knowledge is encyclopaedic, relevant and cutting edge. He adds huge value to the digital and social media debate.” – Jeremy Maggs, veteran broadcaster.
In 2014 Mike published #BrandSchizo – a business book designed to help brands navigate the opportunities and challenges of the social era of business.
He was named one of South Africa’s “300 Young South Africans to take to lunch” by the Mail & Guardian newspaper, one of “35 men of influence under 35 years of age” by GQ magazine and an “exceptional industry guru” in Destiny Man magazine.
Mike co-founded the 27dinner social networking events.
"Mike's keen interest in understanding our market, combined with his enthusiasm for his areas of expertise, made for an engaging, entertaining and highly relevant presentation. His energy was positively infectious and his talk received huge compliments from our audience. Mike was an asset to our event and an absolute pleasure to work with."
Leigh de JameerKorbitec / Property24
"Mike is a one of the most insightful people in the industry I've had the pleasure to work with. Not only does he have a global perspective on social media, marketing, and business that is compelling, but he has clearly made it actionable in South Africa. It was terrific to work with him and his team to help deliver Social Business Africa 2013."
Dion HinchcliffeDachis Group
"Mike is one of the most convincing digital brains in the South African industry with a keen understanding of the impact and value that social media has in business and society. His measured, authentic and pragmatic view on the world comes to life when he speaks in a refreshing and inspiring way."
Musa KalengaDigital Marketing, Nedbank
I saw Mike speak at Internal digital strategy event. He addressed, among other topics, personal branding. The word "extreme" came to mind when I think of him. Not only an extremely entertaining and engaging speaker, but truly gifted with being extremely knowledgeable."
Linda van der MerweSyngenta South Africa
"Mike did a fantastic job entertaining our delegates at our annual conference. Our group is made up of internet entrepreneurs from all over the continent who are already doing a lot on social media. Mike did a great job of communicating the point that it is the message that matters and not the medium. I would have no problem recommending him. "
Justin ClarkeOne Africa Media
Mike did a great job educating some very bright and experienced people recently on our 'Creategy' programme at the Graduate School of Business' he left them impressed and excited about the new world of Web 2.0
Jonathan Foster-PedleyGSB
Our delegates, all high ranking people in the information industry, were really inspired by his presentation' Some of them even said that it was the wake-up call that they needed to adapt in this new technology era and to get excited about it
Sanet VosSabinet
Use Mike's brain and humour if you want to be challenged. You'll like it - and so will your organisation
Carel NolteHollard Insurance
"Light and fun, but relevant to marketers in the New Age of Marketing"
Neil ListerDraftFCB Impact
