The author of The Secrets to Your Win, TemitOpe Ibrahim once said “Influence is when you are not the one talking and yet your words fill the room; when you are absent and yet your presence is felt everywhere.” As a measure of the 100 most influential people in SA urban culture, we couldn’t find a better definition.
The Plug 100 is an annual list of people in SA urban culture who are shaping the world around us through the power of ideas and the presence of their impact. They’re the artists, creatives, mavericks, and thinkers who push culture forward.
Behind the noise and hysteria of popularity is the authenticity of influence. You see, influence has “the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something,” as defined by Oxford. Real influence is ground-breaking and authentic, real influence is “less about the hard power of force than the soft power of ideas and example.” Real influence is concerned about the kind of world that’s left in its wake.
In a world that defines success by financial gain and popularity in numbers, our definition of success is a blend; it’s a blend of drive and ambition, vision, ingenuity, authenticity, and a hustle-mentality. Success creates work that defines an era, success brings up a generation of leaders after us.
It’s for this reason that our 2020 presentation of The Plug 100 is in partnership with Chivas Regal leading with Chivas XV – a 15-year-old blend that challenges conventions around how and when to enjoy Scotch whisky. Blue Masoka, Senior Brand Manager for Chivas South Africa, explains: “South Africans love to celebrate with a glass of their favourite drink, and the Chivas XV was created for whisky drinkers to raise a glass of their preferred spirit at the next celebration of their success – whether big or small. We also know that Scotch whisky fans are looking for new ways in which to enjoy their favourite drink and Chivas XV is the perfect expression to experiment with, to create new tastes, along with memorable experiences that live on long after the occasion.’’
The Chivas Regal team believe that Success Is A Blend, and collaborating with our very own South African cultural leaders who elevate their communities is a part of who they are. Through Success is a Blend, Chivas looks to champion blended Scotch and demonstrate the cultural truth that our own unique blend is what makes us who we are – and when we collaborate with others we can achieve the greatest success.
Over the past few weeks we rolled out different aspects of The Plug 100, which will culminate in the publication of the final list.