From Impressions to Impact: How Tebogo Ditshego Built Ditshego Media into a PR Powerhouse
From Impressions to Impact: How Tebogo Ditshego Built Ditshego Media into a PR Powerhouse. When Tebogo Ditshego launched Ditshego Media in 2011, he brought more than passion, he brought purpose. His mission was to reshape public relations in South Africa by combining social media savvy, corporate communications skills, and a mission-driven mindset. Over the past decade, he has turned a struggling startup into a fast‑growing PR agency with national influence. Here is the story of how he did it, and what lessons entrepreneurs can take from the journey.
The Spark That Became a Brand
Ditshego’s path started in high school. His flair for public speaking and writing was encouraged by teachers and honed through competition success. While studying Communications at the University of Johannesburg, he wrote regularly for national publications like Business Day and The Star, building credibility long before his agency launched.
His early journalism and commentary gave him media insight and established a personal brand that would later amplify his agency’s credibility. By 2014, Forbes named him one of the top 30 African entrepreneurs under 30. He had also launched ReadABookSA, which would grow into Africa’s largest online book club with over 30 000 followers.
A Rocky Start and a Bold Pivot
Ditshego Media’s first iteration struggled. Tebogo financed the startup himself and pushed wide‑ranging PR services, but got little traction. Six months in, without clients, the agency closed its doors.
Instead of quitting, he reflected. He asked tough questions: Was messaging clear? Did clients understand what we offered? Were we solving real problems? His answer was to relaunch with definition, narrowing the agency’s focus to social media and corporate social investment (CSI), two areas still underserved in South Africa.
Standing Out with Specialized Services
This pivot proved transformational. A defined niche gave clarity to his messaging, and soon he secured a PR contract with Shanduka, one of South Africa’s top investment firms, by offering to revamp their website instead of pitching a full PR package.
By the end of 2013, revenue had doubled. By 2014, he achieved 300 percent growth over 2011 numbers and earned clients like the South African Reserve Bank’s Mandela banknotes campaign. Tebogo learned that gaining clients may require starting with targeted solutions, not generic pitches.
Building a Culture that Delivers
As he scaled, Tebogo remained focused on team quality. He built a boutique agency of eight professionals, all under 30, grounded in five guiding principles, development, relationships, accountability, results, and enablement. He refused to stretch the team thin by signing clients the agency didn’t have capacity for.
This early personnel discipline made it possible to deliver premium service consistently, even as demand grew.
Leveraging Purpose and Influence
Ditshego Media’s reputation grew beyond media coverage. Tebogo consciously linked the agency to social impact through ReadABookSA, a CSI initiative promoting reading across South Africa, which boosted both community impact and brand credibility.
In 2014 he joined the YALI Mandela Fellowship in Washington and became President of PRISA. By 2022 he was appointed to South Africa’s MAC SA Charter Council, reinforcing his growing influence in the PR world.
Scaling Smart and Purposefully
By consistently delivering quality and deepening client relationships, the agency achieved steady growth. Tebogo emphasized selling more to existing clients over chasing new ones. This customer loyalty became the engine for expansion.
Lessons from Ditshego Media
- Build your personal brand early. Tebogo’s credibility stemmed from his own writing and media engagements.
- Be ready to pivot hard. His initial failure taught him the power of specialization, social media and CSI focused offerings.
- Start small to prove value. Offering niche services built trust and led to larger contract wins.
- Invest in your team culture. Resource and empower your people before scaling.
- Align your brand with purpose. CSR initiatives can be authentic brand builders.
- Deepen before expanding. Growing existing accounts is more sustainable than chasing volume.
The Final Word
Tebogo Ditshego’s journey with Ditshego Media shows that great businesses begin with reflection, sharpen through specialization, and bloom under intentional culture and purpose. His brand is a testament to taking risks, listening to the market, and investing in both people and impact.
For entrepreneurs aiming to build standout brands, the roadmap is clear: shine in your craft, iterate fearlessly, and grow from trust. Then you can create not just a business, but a legacy.
