SHOWBIZ SCOPE

Absa Unveils Groundbreaking Brand TVC Exploring AI, Identity, and the Story Behind the Numbers

In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, data, and automation, Absa has launched a bold new brand television commercial that redefines the intersection of technology and humanity. Titled “The Story Behind the Numbers”, the campaign marks the latest expression of Absa’s #WeSeeYourStory – a powerful new brand campaign that builds on the 2024-launched brand repositioning #YourStoryMatters. This next evolution reflects a shift in Absa’s brand promise, from acknowledging customer stories to actively responding to them. Whether through product innovation, inclusive financial tools, or community engagement, #WeSeeYourStory is about real connection. And this latest campaign demonstrates exactly that. At the heart of the TVC is an extraordinary, unscripted conversation between award-winning financial journalist Fifi Peters and her AI-generated clone, a lifelike digital twin trained to reflect her tone, thinking, and emotional intelligence. What unfolds is a surprisingly introspective dialogue that blurs the boundaries between machine and memory, code and consciousness. “Fifi didn’t just give us facts. She gave us feelings. That’s what made the clone human enough to challenge her,” said the AI development team behind the experience. The campaign was brought to life through a bold collaboration between Avatar Agency, 99C and innovation studio MonkeyDonkey, who partnered with Absa to conceptualise and create this never-before-seen brand experience. Sue and Stu Stobbs, Owners of MonkeyDonkey Creative AiGency, commented, “Building Fifi Clone felt like mixing code with jazz: part precision, part improvisation, and a whole lot of heart. Our aim was to engineer something that could reflect Fifi’s humanity rather than just ‘a bot’. This meant we weren’t simply feeding data into an algorithm but handcrafting a thinking brain and sculpting a believable look. It was exhilarating, mind-bending, and occasionally existential (‘Can a clone get goosebumps?’). Mostly, we felt like mad scientists in a creative lab, seeing how far we could push AI to tell a very human story.” The creative leads at Avatar added, “This wasn’t just about building a campaign, it was about breaking convention. We wanted to make people stop and think about what it means to be seen in the age of AI. Fifi’s Clone became a mirror, not just of a person, but of a powerful idea: that stories, not data, are what define us.” The development of the AI clone spanned over two and a half months and involved: Verified biographical and career data In-depth in-person interviews to capture tone, rhythm, and emotional nuance Advanced AI tools to generate visual and vocal fidelity A custom-built orchestration engine to ensure narrative flow, self-reflection, and tone control Fifi’s digital twin was officially “born” on 14 May 2025 at 13:09, and just one week later, conducted what would become one of the most introspective interviews of Fifi’s career. The 95-second hero film opens with a powerful provocation: “Can data really see the human behind the numbers?” From there, the story unfolds into a deeply human exploration of identity, legacy, and the future of Africa, brought to life through a conversation only AI could enable, but only a human could make meaningful. Sydney Mbhele, Absa’s Group Chief Marketing and Corporate Affairs Officer, says this is more than a campaign. “It is a bold and exciting step forward for the Absa brand. We’ve always believed that technology should serve human purpose, and this work proves exactly that. It’s emotionally resonant, deeply relevant, and unforgettably human. Our customers are more than data points—they’re people with dreams, challenges, and stories that deserve to be heard.” Now rolling out across multiple digital and broadcast platforms, “The Story Behind the Numbers” is a living, breathing statement about Absa’s future-facing approach to human-centred banking, and the belief that even in the age of AI, it’s the stories behind the numbers that truly matter. #YourStoryMatters #WeSeeYourStory

South African clinic breaks barriers in hair transplants for Afro-textured hair

While Beverly Hills is often hailed as the epicentre of cosmetic innovation, a South African clinic is making global waves with pioneering advancements in Afro-textured hair transplants, ushering in a new era of inclusive and culturally attuned hair restoration. Alvi Armani South Africa, mandated by its Beverly Hills-based global headquarters to spearhead research in this specialised field, has developed cutting-edge techniques uniquely designed for the intricate structure of tightly coiled hair – a texture predominantly found across Southern Africa and beyond. “For decades, hair restoration techniques focused primarily on straight hair, which tends to be simpler or more straightforward to treat, but left patients with Afro-textured hair underserved,” explains Dr Kashmal Kalan, Medical Director at Alvi Armani South Africa. “But over the past five years, there’s been a greater push toward understanding and treating Afro-textured hair, which has seen the emergence of a number of new tools, technologies, and research. “Leading this trend, Southern Africa presents some of the world’s most complex and challenging follicle patterns, with curl structures that are significantly tighter than those typically seen in Central Africa, North Africa, or among African-Americans. This has driven us to innovate – and it’s given us the opportunity to develop more highly specialised techniques specifically for Afro-textured hair types.” Innovative techniques for Afro-textured hair In response to these challenges, Alvi Armani South Africa has developed its own system for safely extracting and transplanting tightly coiled follicles. “Understanding how the curl sits in the scalp, or how the follicle lies on its belly is crucial. We’ve pioneered our own system for extracting these types of follicles, and our surgical techniques can achieve very healthy survival rates for even the most tightly coiled follicles,” says Dr Kalan. The clinic also uses specially designed surgical tools, including advanced punch instruments that allow for more accurate incisions and better alignment with the natural curve of the follicle root. This precision significantly reduces trauma and improves graft survival. Recognising the delicate nature of Afro-textured follicles and the increased risk of keloid scarring on the scalp, the clinic takes a conservative approach when determining graft numbers to avoid compromising results. “With very tightly curved hair, we might limit the procedure to 1,500 grafts compared to 3,500 in straight hair cases. While this may mean multiple sessions for some patients, this careful approach ensures the best possible outcomes.” Its team further utilises the latest technologies, including an AI-driven tool that allows surgeons to assess curl patterns and follicle characteristics with unprecedented precision before surgery, producing remarkable successes for patients. Global impact and leadership Through its innovations, Alvi Armani South Africa has established itself as a global leader in Afro-textured hair restoration. Additionally, its collaboration with international partners within Alvi Armani’s network, as well as its access to cutting-edge technologies, has enabled the clinic to bring the latest advancements in the industry directly to Johannesburg. “Being part of an international brand has given us access to tools and technologies that are years ahead of the local market. What’s happening in research centres such as Beverly Hills today, we can implement almost immediately here in South Africa, rather than waiting the years it may otherwise take for these techniques to reach or filter down to the local market,” he notes. Beyond patient care, its experts are actively involved in training other surgeons, contributing to research, and leading conversations in international forums about Afro-textured hair restoration. This educational component is critical, as many practitioners around the world still lack experience in treating diverse hair types. “We’re proud to help set new standards for inclusive hair restoration. We’re part of many global societies where doctors share information, and the techniques we’ve helped to develop here in South Africa are currently being adopted by clinics worldwide.”