The Up&Up Group’s Chairman and Founder, Mike Abel, has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s AdFocus Awards ceremony held in Johannesburg. As a published author, columnist and podcaster Abel founded M+C Saatchi Abel in 2010 with no clients and a bold vision.
Together with the founding partners, this vision has evolved into The Up&Up Group, South Africa’s largest independently owned group of creative companies. Before launching M+C Saatchi Abel, the 2025 Financial Mail AdFocus Lifetime Achievement Award recipient enjoyed a career spanning several decades across multiple countries, helping build some of the most iconic brands in advertising.
‘What this honour really affirms is the power of great people working together. Marketing and advertising is a team sport. This marvellous industry has given me a life of purpose, creativity and challenge — and I remain convinced that values‑driven advertising has never been more necessary. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has shared the field with me,’ said Abel.
Jacques Burger, CEO of The Up&Up Group said: ‘Abel’s recognition is a tribute to the vision, courage and creative conviction that shaped this group from day one. His leadership set a standard that continues to define who we are and how we show up for our clients.’
The Up&Up Group’s Chief Creative Officer Neo Mashigo said the award is testament to Abel’s resilience in leading the agency group towards where it is today. ‘Our unrelenting orientation is that creativity elevates everything, and Abel’s resilience in leading our group of creative companies to this point is inspirational and foundational to who we are today.’
The Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates the group’s origins, its present commitment to creativity and its bold creative future. ‘I am energised for the group’s new chapter as South Africa’s leading independent creative group,’ said Abel.
UP&UP GROUP
https://www.theupandupgroup.com/
