S-Elle & Associates
Meet the team
S-Elle & Associates was founded in 2014 by Sara-Lea van Eeden and registered as a Pty Ltd in 2017. What started out as a PR agency soon developed into a full-service marketing consultancy serving diverse businesses.
Sara-Lea van Eeden Managing Director
Sara-Lea entered the media world in 2006 after completing a BCom Communications, as well as an Honours degree in Corporate Media Management from NWU. She started with Alchemy Publishing in 2007 and later joined Baba & Kleuter Magazine as a journalist. In 2008 she made the leap from journalism into the world of PR at popular Afrikaans soap – 7de Laan. In 2009 she joined boutique PR agency Taryn Fritz PR & Communications where she gained invaluable mentoring and experience serving local and international clients such as Discovery Networks, Sony Pictures Releasing International, L’Oréal South Africa Corporate, A+E Networks (HISTORY & Crime & Investigation Network) and the Sorbet Group.
When Sara-Lea moved to the countryside she realised that marketing services for local businesses were few and far between – and she decided to start her own consulting agency – which is known today as S-Elle & Associates. Over the past few years Sara-Lea’s skill set evolved, and she has become a strategic partner to her clients. Sara-Lea enjoys dreaming about the bigger picture with clients – and then combining the right marketing ingredients to realise the vision.
Sara-Lea opened her Facebook account in 2007. For 13 years Facebook was Sara-Lea’s favourite social media platform – probably because she is considered a Xennial. But in 2020 she discovered Tik Tok and now follows marketing experts, make-up influencers, bakers, candle makers and even talking dogs – true story.
Q & A
What makes you LOL?
Aptly used GIF’s as replies or comments!
Favourite part of your job?
Definitely expanding my general knowledge – our clients all have very interesting businesses, and it is mind stretching to learn all about them. Also, the people we get to meet – from ministers to celebrities, to everyday people who change the world by just being kind and driven. My colleagues and our suppliers are also up there – the team is vested and dedicated, so much that it makes me emotional!
Favourite holiday spot?
For beach holidays – definitely Ballito, for bush holidays – Hoedspruit and for international hobnobbing – we love cruising Europe and I also love the USA.
Favourite charity?
I believe charity starts at home, and I love to support people in pursuit of a better life – like a student in need.
If you could give clients one piece of advice – what would it be?
Marketing directly and indirectly impacts your bottom line – it deserves your time, money and input! Also – expensive is not necessarily better.
If you could give your 22 year old self one piece of advice – what would it be?
Gain career experience with the ultimate plan to start your own business.
When Sara-Lea moved to the countryside she realised that marketing services for local businesses were few and far between – and she decided to start her own consulting agency – which is known today as S-Elle & Associates. Over the past few years Sara-Lea’s skill set evolved, and she has become a strategic partner to her clients. Sara-Lea enjoys dreaming about the bigger picture with clients – and then combining the right marketing ingredients to realise the vision.
Sara-Lea opened her Facebook account in 2007. For 13 years Facebook was Sara-Lea’s favourite social media platform – probably because she is considered a Xennial. But in 2020 she discovered Tik Tok and now follows marketing experts, make-up influencers, bakers, candle makers and even talking dogs – true story.
Q & A
What makes you LOL?
Aptly used GIF’s as replies or comments!
Favourite part of your job?
Definitely expanding my general knowledge – our clients all have very interesting businesses, and it is mind stretching to learn all about them. Also, the people we get to meet – from ministers to celebrities, to everyday people who change the world by just being kind and driven. My colleagues and our suppliers are also up there – the team is vested and dedicated, so much that it makes me emotional!
Favourite holiday spot?
For beach holidays – definitely Ballito, for bush holidays – Hoedspruit and for international hobnobbing – we love cruising Europe and I also love the USA.
Favourite charity?
I believe charity starts at home, and I love to support people in pursuit of a better life – like a student in need.
If you could give clients one piece of advice – what would it be?
Marketing directly and indirectly impacts your bottom line – it deserves your time, money and input! Also – expensive is not necessarily better.
If you could give your 22 year old self one piece of advice – what would it be?
Gain career experience with the ultimate plan to start your own business.
AJ Crause Head of Digital Marketing
AJ holds a BCom Marketing degree from Stellenbosch University. His passion for digital and all things tech led him to venture into the fast-paced Digital Marketing world. After completing a Digital Marketing certificate at Red & Yellow as well as completing his digital marketing internship in Johannesburg, he further expanded his experience working for an international agency. This digital marketing whiz kid journeyed back to his hometown and joined S-Elle and Associates in January 2019 where he blows clients away with the doors that effective, no BS, digital marketing can open. His favourite social media platform is Instagram, following all the tech geeks, admiring wildlife photography & daydreaming about his next hiking adventure.
What makes you LOL?
A clever meme I can relate to.
Favourite part of your job?
Sending off that first report for a new digitally transformed client, revealing the difference made or sales gained and exposing their business to all the new opportunities online.
Favourite holiday spot?
Good old Kruger Park, where's the lions at?
Favourite charity?
Knowledge & Skill sharing - like the famous quote goes - Give a Man a Fish, and You Feed Him for a Day. Teach a Man To Fish, and You Feed Him for a Lifetime.
Coolest thing you’ve learned from social media?
Cooking & Recipe tips - otherwise it would have been 2min noodles for life...
Something you bought because of social media?
Those irresistible Black Friday deals...only Tech stuff of course 🙂
If you could give clients one piece of advice – what would it be?
Go digital - break the brick & mortar barriers - the online world awaits your products & services!
If you could give your 22-year-old self one piece of advice – what would it be?
Life is like Lego blocks, you will start building and sometimes a block may feel pointless or like a failure - don't be afraid to try, build the best you can, you'll get stronger and smarter with each new block and before you know it you have a foundation as strong as the wall of China! Also, Legos are more fun with friends, family & colleagues - ask for help & advice - they've got your back!
What makes you LOL?
A clever meme I can relate to.
Favourite part of your job?
Sending off that first report for a new digitally transformed client, revealing the difference made or sales gained and exposing their business to all the new opportunities online.
Favourite holiday spot?
Good old Kruger Park, where's the lions at?
Favourite charity?
Knowledge & Skill sharing - like the famous quote goes - Give a Man a Fish, and You Feed Him for a Day. Teach a Man To Fish, and You Feed Him for a Lifetime.
Coolest thing you’ve learned from social media?
Cooking & Recipe tips - otherwise it would have been 2min noodles for life...
Something you bought because of social media?
Those irresistible Black Friday deals...only Tech stuff of course 🙂
If you could give clients one piece of advice – what would it be?
Go digital - break the brick & mortar barriers - the online world awaits your products & services!
If you could give your 22-year-old self one piece of advice – what would it be?
Life is like Lego blocks, you will start building and sometimes a block may feel pointless or like a failure - don't be afraid to try, build the best you can, you'll get stronger and smarter with each new block and before you know it you have a foundation as strong as the wall of China! Also, Legos are more fun with friends, family & colleagues - ask for help & advice - they've got your back!
René Viviers Account Director
René started her career as a PR professional working with clients in the telecoms and IT industries, she later joined an international email marketing company as client liaison and marketing officer. This is where René discovered her passion and love for all things marketing. She joined S-Elle PR in 2016 and used both her PR and marketing experience to manage Johannesburg based clients for the company. Her favourite social media platform is Instagram because it’s all about the visuals and easy to consume!
Q & A
What makes you LOL?
My daughter! She is the funniest little human I've ever met!
Favourite part of your job?
Thinking of new and exciting ways to help clients achieve their business objectives.
Favourite holiday spot?
Any beach with my toes in the sand!
Favourite charity?
Charity Begins with Me
Coolest thing you’ve learned from social media?
Probably Tasty recipes and makeup tutorials!
Something you bought because of social media?
Skincare products - information is widely available on social media and brands educating their customers increase their sales dramatically. It should never be a hard sell, educate and inform and the sales will follow.
If you could give clients one piece of advice – what would it be?
Be patient, there is no quick fix to anything when it comes to marketing, give your brand at least 6 months to grow before expecting results. As the old saying goes "Rome wasn't built in a day"
If you could give your 22-year-old self one piece of advice – what would it be?
Say yes! Don't be afraid of the unknown, say yes to new adventures, say yes to making new friends, say yes to new opportunities - you never know what magic might be waiting for you on the other side of your answer. And also... don't take yourself so seriously!
Q & A
What makes you LOL?
My daughter! She is the funniest little human I've ever met!
Favourite part of your job?
Thinking of new and exciting ways to help clients achieve their business objectives.
Favourite holiday spot?
Any beach with my toes in the sand!
Favourite charity?
Charity Begins with Me
Coolest thing you’ve learned from social media?
Probably Tasty recipes and makeup tutorials!
Something you bought because of social media?
Skincare products - information is widely available on social media and brands educating their customers increase their sales dramatically. It should never be a hard sell, educate and inform and the sales will follow.
If you could give clients one piece of advice – what would it be?
Be patient, there is no quick fix to anything when it comes to marketing, give your brand at least 6 months to grow before expecting results. As the old saying goes "Rome wasn't built in a day"
If you could give your 22-year-old self one piece of advice – what would it be?
Say yes! Don't be afraid of the unknown, say yes to new adventures, say yes to making new friends, say yes to new opportunities - you never know what magic might be waiting for you on the other side of your answer. And also... don't take yourself so seriously!
Sunita Theron Account Executive
Sunita joined the team in 2015 and holds a BA Marketing Communications degree from the University of Johannesburg. The main focus of her study was strategic communication. As the account executive for S-Elle & Associates, she helps build your brand through content creation, marketing initiatives, and endless industry research. Sunita lives by checklists and coffee. Her favourite social media platform is Instagram, because she prefers her photo’s just like her coffee - filtered!
What makes you LOL?
Rebel Wilson, Kevin Hart. Our family WhatsApp group!
Favourite part of your job?
The research I get to do every day. The reporting at the end of the month, the lists I populate - believe it or not, the admin stuff. All the people we get to meet, new clients, new suppliers, and of course my colleagues.
Favourite holiday spot?
Everywhere in South Africa - we have a beautiful country! I won't ever say no to going to the North Coast for a beach holiday, or the Great Karoo - dit is daar waar jou siel weer mens word.
Favourite charity?
Babies behind Bars. I got the opportunity to work with them while I was studying. https://romytitus.co.za/babies-behind-bars/
Coolest thing you’ve learned from social media?
Hashtags: You can search for content, add to existing topics, gain followers in your direct target market and follow competitors without actually following them! Data-driven marketing: You can track almost everything about your clients or potential clients.
Something you bought because of social media?
All the YouTube vloggers had a humidifier. Of course I also needed one.
If you could give clients one or two pieces of advice – what would it be?
Don't ever think your business doesn't need social media because "that's not really where my market is", they are. Believe me, whoever your target market is, they are on social media! It is not always the highest price agency or service provider that delivers the best work. It breaks my heart to know that there are agencies out there that take their clients for a ride.
If you could give your 22-year-old self one piece of advice – what would it be?
In the last 7 years I lost 3 of the most important people in my life, treasure those around you and don't ever take anything for granted.
What makes you LOL?
Rebel Wilson, Kevin Hart. Our family WhatsApp group!
Favourite part of your job?
The research I get to do every day. The reporting at the end of the month, the lists I populate - believe it or not, the admin stuff. All the people we get to meet, new clients, new suppliers, and of course my colleagues.
Favourite holiday spot?
Everywhere in South Africa - we have a beautiful country! I won't ever say no to going to the North Coast for a beach holiday, or the Great Karoo - dit is daar waar jou siel weer mens word.
Favourite charity?
Babies behind Bars. I got the opportunity to work with them while I was studying. https://romytitus.co.za/babies-behind-bars/
Coolest thing you’ve learned from social media?
Hashtags: You can search for content, add to existing topics, gain followers in your direct target market and follow competitors without actually following them! Data-driven marketing: You can track almost everything about your clients or potential clients.
Something you bought because of social media?
All the YouTube vloggers had a humidifier. Of course I also needed one.
If you could give clients one or two pieces of advice – what would it be?
Don't ever think your business doesn't need social media because "that's not really where my market is", they are. Believe me, whoever your target market is, they are on social media! It is not always the highest price agency or service provider that delivers the best work. It breaks my heart to know that there are agencies out there that take their clients for a ride.
If you could give your 22-year-old self one piece of advice – what would it be?
In the last 7 years I lost 3 of the most important people in my life, treasure those around you and don't ever take anything for granted.
