Whacked Entertainment Management is not a generic comedy supplier, but rather a specialist team that ensures that maximum value is brought to each client, through the correct matching of talent to budget.

For example, budget restrictions need not limit a client’s options. Clients who do not have budgets available to confirm well-known comedians, or are looking for a new entertainer are no problem. We can provide access to a pool of new talent. We can design a line-up that will provide an economical and varied alternative for the more budget-conscious client.
With the emphasis on quality, Whacked Entertainment Management prides itself on getting the right comedy for your needs. Our artists include performers, facilitators, MCs, writers, actors and musicians and all of whom can work to brief.

The company’s internal directive is to ensure that the right entertainer is deployed to each project, and Whacked prides itself on tailoring concepts to clients’ briefs, from concept planning, pre-production and production stages. Previous corporate clients include Microsoft, MIH, Oracle Airtime Sales, Dell Computers, SAP, Internet Solutions, the First Rand Group, Nando’s, MTN, Vodacom, the Shuttleworth Foundation, Imperial Logistics, LUASA, Nashua, Design Indaba, Sun International and SAB.

The company has seen a shift in focus, a complete staff turnaround and a business systems overhaul during 2008. This year saw the departure of Kirsten Whitworth, who administrated the business, to pursue a career in law. 

We have moved our focus from primarily Comedy, to a more “One Stop Shop” for companies, where they are able to fulfill all of their entertainment requirements, whether it be for a comedian, MC, motivational speaker, celebrity speaker, dancers or musical entertainment.  Because of the commitment to good, quality service, we aim to please and take the pressure of the client to have to shop around.  This “ONE STOP SHOP” service we are now proving is proving to be most successful with fabulous reviews from our clients for providing a caring, constructive and professional service.

John Vlismas owns Whacked Entertainment Management and continues to work as one of South Africa’s most successful comedians both locally and abroad.

Taffia Keight migrated from a management position at MTN to become the managing partner at Whacked Entertainment Management in 2008. While her previous experience in logistics and team leadership may seem vastly removed from babysitting artists, she is confident in her vision:

“Taffia Keight, previously of MTN has taken the reins and spent six months analyzing and becoming familiar with the business. The last six months of 08 have involved implementing new auditors, streamlining the booking system and strategizing for 09.

Keight is reserved when pushed for specific figures. 'This is a competitive game,' she says, 'it's not just the comics, they have a way of getting on with it, but there are the agents, just like in arms deal - they are behind the scenes but influential - we recognize the importance of their role in the business. Based on some rough preliminary calculations, I estimate that Whacked currently books 10 - 12 % of the stand-up market annually. We would like to see that grow to 15% by the end of 09.

'While my predecessor saw growth in billing, my focus is to increase general profitability, because low margins are responsible for problematic behavior between the holy trinity of comic, client, agent - I don't want to cut corners for anyone in the equation. We are headed for times where there will be less money in every sector, so savings and service will become even more important than they already are.'

'Whacked is lucky to have John Vlismas as an anchor client, but it would be imprudent to allow that dynamic to remain in play. Our commodity is difficult to quantify, talent is reliant on many variables, so we need to achieve diversity as a priority. Young talent nurtured over time has now matured and I have the pleasure of placing that talent into the corporate market. This is a long and demanding process, and very rewarding from a passion perspective when the acts get good reviews and repeat business.'

'With John as the owner and main client for now, it's great to have his input, he has provided valuable insights and introductions because he has great relationships in the industry both here and abroad. Having said that, I am also conscious that he is at heart an artist, perhaps more business-minded than most, but his primary ability is creative, so we'll be managing his role in the business with that in mind.'

As far as television goes, it is an excellent medium for acts that prioritize coverage over content. I am not convinced that John’s work will benefit from the kind of television currently being produced – it certainly would require taking a lot of his “teeth” out – which is what most people love about his live performances. I don’t see him doing any television unless he is given the space to work freely. Most television decision makers are terribly risk-averse, and this is why local TV comedy is so low in quality – they don’t want complaints.”

“We understand that great comedy is all about risk management, and that comics like John do more corporate work than anything else, so they are very aware of what the correct boundaries are. Until we find a production that we believe will support good comedy, it is not a priority. For up and coming acts, television is a very good platform for wide coverage, so it remains a strong strategic call for a young career.”  We will continue to support and promote our artists in this medium.

Whacked will always remain committed to the development of comedy in the South African market place and the representation of this market in the international arena.

Whacked has run the now legendary Comedy Underground at Cool Runnings in Melville for the past eight years. The venue has played host to several international artists including Chris Rock (USA), Pauly Shore (USA), Mark Curry (USA), Neil Delamere (Ireland), Ron Vaudry (Canada), Greer Barnes (USA), Zooman (USA), Marshall Chiles (USA), Chris Lynam (UK) to name but a few.

Through local stand up comedy competitions, Whacked Entertainment Management has been instrumental in the development of young comedians. Whacked produced each year of the Freshest Five Comedy Competition in Melville and Newtown, and ran the preliminary heats for Laugh Out Loud’s Survival of the Funniest, screened on M-net in 2005. Past winners of the Freshest Five include David Kau. 

We have also been the Comedy management team behind each years Arts Alive comedy evening, which has shown exponential growth from year to year.

Corporate social responsibility is a priority, and Whacked Entertainment Management has a legacy of donating time and talent to many worthy causes such as the Reach for a Dream Foundation, Cotlands, Women & Men Against Child Abuse, Girls and Boystown, and The Star Snowball Run. We also produced Have A Heart (HAH) for the Child Welfare Society in 2006. 2008 saw us assist to raise over R200k for widows and orphans of policemen killed in the line of duty and contribute to Just Because a show created to raise funds for children in need.