Mike Abel: Business Leadership
Marketing visionary, business leader, and keynote speaker Mike Abel helps organizations harness creativity, values-driven leadership, and strategic thinking to build enduring brands and impact.
Quick Facts:
- Founding Partner and Executive Chairman of The Up&Up Group
- Founder of M+C Saatchi Abel, South Africa’s fastest-growing agency
- More than 35 years of leadership in marketing, advertising, and brand strategy
- Former Group COO of Ogilvy South Africa
- Formats:
- Keynote Speaker | Business Leader | Creativity and Leadership Expert
- Audiences:
- CEOs, executives, marketers, entrepreneurs, leadership teams, business owners, and organizations seeking growth, innovation, and values-driven leadership.
- Outcomes:
- Learn how creativity drives business growth and competitive advantage
- Develop leadership approaches rooted in purpose, courage, and values
- Gain insights into brand building, culture, and organizational transformation
- Travels from: Cape Town, SA
- **US Fee range: $15,000 - $20,000
Talent Services
Keynote Topics:
Keynote Topics
Creative Leadership for a Changing World
Organizations thrive when leaders embrace adaptability, innovation, and creative thinking.
Building Brands that Matter
Lessons from decades of experience creating meaningful brands and lasting market impact.
Leading through Disruption
Strategies for navigating uncertainty and turning change into opportunity.
Future proof your Organisation
How leaders can prepare teams and businesses for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Talent Short Bio
Mike Abel is one of Africa’s most respected marketing leaders, creative strategists, and business thinkers. As Founding Partner and Executive Chairman of The Up&Up Group, Africa’s largest independent marketing, communications, and strategic advisory group, he has spent more than three decades shaping brands, businesses, and the future of the communications industry.
Throughout his distinguished career, Mike has held senior leadership positions across global agency networks, including Group CEO of M+C Saatchi Australia, Group COO of Ogilvy South Africa, and membership on both the global M+C Saatchi Executive Committee and Ogilvy’s international strategic leadership team. In 2010, he founded M+C Saatchi Abel, which became the fastest-growing agency in South African history and evolved into one of Africa’s most influential communications groups.
In 2025, Mike led the management buyout that established The Up&Up Group, creating a proudly independent African business comprising multiple specialist agencies and more than 500 professionals serving leading brands across the continent.
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Talent FAQ's
Do speakers charge a flat fee or by the hour?
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
What is the typical duration of a keynote speech and what is included?
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
Does the scale of the event and audience size affect a speaker’s fee?
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses and other costs
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
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Additional tips and takeaways
- Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees, often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates.
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- Some motivational speakers are open to discounting their fee if hired for more than one event by the same organization.
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Fee Range Information
All talent fees exclude travel and accommodation where required.