Tuesday, April 23, 2013

The ugly truth about Promotional modelling


1. You need big breasts.
Reality is, even the most well endowed models are wearing enhancements such as chicken cutlet bras and padding. However, an enormous chest is not a requirement in this industry. An exceptional personality will actually open doors for you that your physical attributes never could.

2. You must be a tall barbie.
You do not have to be 5 foot 10. There are many promotional models that are 5’5” for example. If you grew up and still love to play dress up then grab your fake eye lashes, clip in hair extensions and chicken cutlets because there is definitely a demand for you as some brands need ladies who aren’t afraid of strutting their stuff and exuding strong feminine energy to represent them. If you hate being girly, there are many promotional opportunities for you too with brands and companies that identify with your look and what you are about. 
3. You will go to many exclusive events.
Yes, there are opportunities to go to exclusive events, but for the most part you will be working at events or venues that are open to the public because that is how most companies market in order to get the most out of their money. You may find yourself working at an exclusive award gala one night and the CTICC the next afternoon.
4. Promotional models are easy, uneducated and ditsy.
Most promotional models have a minimum of a Bachelors degree or equivallent. This type of work is great for students, actors and entertainers because the individual contractor/ model is responsible for choosing when they wish to  work. Being an independent contractor allows an individual to learn what it takes to be business savvy and make long term goals to branch out into different areas of the business or entertainment world if they so choose.
5. Promotional modeling is easy work.
You will not be solving any complex equations, but the highest paying promotional modeling positions often require models to go to detailed training sessions where they will memorize an enormous amount of material in order to adequately inform consumers and answer all of their questions. In addition, if you book yourself for a high paying three day gig which is 8-14 hours each day, you may not be able to do much for the rest of the week so that your feet can recover from stiletto abuse!
6. Promotional models must be unrealistically proportioned.
This industry loves to hire curvy girls, as well as skinny supermodel types, macho guys and not so macho guys!
There is even opportunity for men of the buff and scrawny persuasion. How you look definitely has a lot to do with which companies will open its doors to you, but the good news is that different companies are looking for different things. Some industries require people who are relatable and let’s face it, not everyone can relate to someone who is five foot eleven, 110 lbs, super tan, with blue eyes, blond hair, a four pack and double D’s.
7. Promotional modeling alone cannot pay the bills.
This may be true in some areas of promotions, however this industry is  a great way to supplement your income, or for extra pocket money.  A few promotional models work with many agencies and are promotional models full-time. To do this you need to be realistic about how you look and who could use that image as part of their marketing strategy. You also need to be organized, and prepared. Promotional models must learn to exercise discretion when it comes to choosing jobs. Still, there will be times when you have booked yourself for a job and had to miss out on a better, or higher paying, opportunity that came later.
8Promotional modeling requires zero skills. 

At Social Butterflies we say " BEAUTY...BRAINS... BRAND-AWAWRENESS!".  Any job that involves interaction with customers, or potential customers, requires excellent communication skills. Promotional models should also remember to use these excellent communication skills with each other and be kind to one another. This is usually the case anyway, but it is especially important for networking purposes. The best employment opportunities that you find may be from networking with customers, clients and among other models. In addition, having the high energy and physical appearance necessary to keep management happy can be obtained by staying active outside of work. 
9. You must wear skimpy clothing, and troll bars!
Exclusive events, Trade shows, Launches, Golf Days, Clubs and pubs are all places a promotional model may work. The attire you are expected to wear depends on the type of job and your employer. The dress requirements for some jobs may be a t-shirt bearing a brand name and khaki pants, others a cocktail dress or it may be a bikini top, shorts and wedges. Each promotional model should set boundaries  regarding the types of work they are willing to do and the types of clothes they are willing to wear. Here at Social Butterflies our promotional models only wear outfits that enable them to work confidently, efficiently and with dignity! Every client we work with  must agree to that.  Promotional models must decide the amount of hours they are willing to work for and the minimum pay they are willing to accept.  So many promoters are exploited into working for very little, for a very long time. Ask around, find out what the market rate is. Remember it is always up to you to choose which jobs you will work!

10. You keep lots of Free stuff.
This is often true. There will be plenty of opportunities to get free drinks, meals, memorabilia and admission to events. Models should keep in mind that part of being professional is not having a sense of entitlement. You may be working for a company that limits its promotional product distribution to customers only.  If caught sneaking friends into exclusive events, stuffing client goody bags in your car, this could mean losing out on jobs in the future. If you want it that badly, just ask for it!


Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Miss Deaf Africa- Blast from the past for a good cause!


This was a cause Team Butterflies knew they wanted to be a part of, and we pulled out all the stops to make sure it was a success!  We called in a lot of favours from  friends of Social Butterflies, and because of their contribution we could put our stamp on the event!

Afrodizzy Acts Stilt-walkers
Held at The Castle at the Cape of Good Hope, on Saturday the 19th of May 2012, the Cape Town air was warm  and welcoming, assisted by the limber Afro-Dizzy Acts’ stilt walkers who also performed some jaw-dropping stunts for guests as they found their seats.

Afrodizzyacts' Acrobats
Human-tables also from Afro-Dizzy Acts had our guests in awe, while they mingled prior to the start of the event. Guests sipped on their complimentary Jimmy Jagga wine after our  team of photographers captured the moment on the red carpet.

Our hostesses dished out the delectable goody-bags that had  issues of Glamour, GQ and Elle magazines, bubbly from Graham Beck, Vitamin water, Vitamin water lip balms, chocolates from Huegenot choclatiers and a great deal more.  VIP guests even got to take home the much coveted Princess Diamonds vouchers!

Many delelgates from around Africa and France were present at the event as were our local members of Parliament. This was the first year Miss Deaf was held in South Africa, and we wanted to impress! Best-loved celebrities Gift Gwe and Storm Barry were part of the judges panel, while Roxy Marosa  and DJ Diddier were Mcees.

A guest with a human-table!
The Beautiful Roxy Marosa dressed by LAZULI

The pageant was an intimate show featuring the remarkable contestants from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Seychelles, Namibia, Rwanda and the Western Cape.
The girls not only showed  off their looks but also their talents from interpretive singing, dancing, to the signing of poetry. Most of the girls signed but a lot of them also lip-read and had to learn to lip-read and sign in the universal dialect of sign language.

Contestants during the event
With the assistance of 3 interpreters tactically positioned in the intimate area, the hearing able and  hearing-impaired were all captivated by this rare journey into the world of the contestants.
Afro-dizzy Acts' fire dancers at interval and a wardrobe change by Roxy Marosa into another flattering Lazuli creation ensured the evening would only get better! A Dr Rey beauty pack and Electrolipolisis voucher give-away confirmed the night truly promised to keep getting better….
Our winner: Elnette Botha 






And it did!  When, our very own Elnette  Botha Miss Deaf Cape Town was crowned Miss Deaf Africa 2012.

The gorgeous blonde with a degree in psychology embodied class, humility, confidence, warmth and elegance.  A real ambassador for Cape Town and now South Africa.

Miss Deaf Africa 2012 Elnette Botha, with her First and Second princesses Lauren White and Minica Desir and Miss Deaf Africa 2011

Winning an array of marvelous prizes Elnette also took home a trip to Seychelles and an ipad which all contestants received from head-line sponsor 8-ta.
Storm Barry and Gift Gwe
The purpose of the event was to create awareness of the deaf Community as well as celebrate their way of life, and create unity between the hearing and the hearing-impaired. These objectives were definatley achieved!

Well Done Team Butterflies for pulling off such a spectacular event!

Thank you to the following “ Friends of Social Butterflies” that lent a hand, put their hands in their pockets and sacrificed their time!