CAREER SUMMARY
SVP Group Creative Director
Digitas Chicago (Publicis)
August 2023 – Present
Screenwriter + Independent Group Creative Director
MRM NYC (McCann), Agit8 London, FCB Chicago
August 2022 – August 2023
Global Creative Director
Ogilvy Chicago
January 2020 – July 2022
VP Creative Director
FCB Chicago
July 2018 – January 2020
Creative Director
Ogilvy Johannesburg
April 2015 – July 2018
Global Creative Director
Metropolitan Republic (WPP)
August 2013 – December 2014
Associate Creative Director
FCB Johannesburg
May 2012 – July 2013
Senior Copywriter
Metropolitan Republic (WPP)
July 2011 – April 2012
Copywriter
DDB Johannesburg
November 2008 – June 2011
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Led multidisciplinary teams of 30+ creatives across two continents
Led NERDS' first major campaign in 40 years, culminating in Super Bowl debut
Led the evolution of NERDS from a 2D candy icon into a fully realized 3D character universe, creating the Gummy mascot for NERDS Gummy Clusters
Led the redesign of the NERDS visual identity system and expansion into the UK and other global markets.
Led full repositionings, mascot creation and new-product launches for Blue Bunny, Halo Top, Trolli Gummi Pop, Butterfinger Ice Cream Bars, Baby Ruth Ice Cream Bars, 100 Grand Ice Cream Bars and Bomb Pop.
Directed Glade’s global brand repositioning and redesign across five global markets, producing 700+ modular assets.
Headhunted internationally from South Africa to the United States.
Led Vodafone’s successful global repositioning in South Africa
Helped spearhead and lead the first integrated creative satellite agency for Vodafone global within Ogilvy Johannesburg
Ranked South Africa's Top 20 Creative Directors + Writers
PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Unable to fly at 8.5 months pregnant, refused to be relegated to a tiny Zoom square during a major new business pitch.
Instead, conceived and executed the idea of appearing as a live 3D hologram - staging the first ever baby to beam into a boardroom, charming everyone and winning the business.Walked a honey badger on a leash. It went about as expected.
Got to meet and speak with the one and only Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Addison Rae said my outfit was cute.
SELECT BUSINESS RESULTS
Delivered the 2nd highest purchase intent score of any Super Bowl 2024 campaign.
Expanded creative leadership from NERDS + Trolli to Ferrero & Wells portfolio of iconic brands in 2+ years.
Helped generate ~$8 million in new revenue for the agency for Cox Communications in just 12 months.
Directed Glade’s global brand redesign across five global markets, producing 700+ modular assets.
1.2M new customers / 51% sales increase / 500+ million app plays for Vodacom’s 2016 Summer Campaign.
Created Nando’s ad that generated 20M+ organic YouTube views, 800M+ global reach and was cemented in culture.
ROI of $17 million on an under $1000 budget for the ‘Tweeting Badger’.
Generated an organic campaign feature on Good Morning America.
NOTABLE AWARDS + HONORS
Cannes Lions Gold | Cadbury PreJoy | Use of Online Film
D&AD Wood Pencils | Cadbury PreJoy & KFC Suppertime Stories
Top 20 SA Creative Directors + Top 20 SA Writers | Creative Circle
Adweek's 15 Best Commercials of 2017 | Cadbury PreJoy | Selected by the Cannes Film Jury
One Show Bronze Pencil | KFC Suppertime Stories | Innovation in Branded Entertainment
Gold Global MMA Smarties | KFC Suppertime Stories
Gold Loerie | KFC Suppertime Stories
Kantar Millward Brown Best Liked Campaign | South Africa | Vodacom Play Every Day
Best Campaign in the Vodafone Network Globally | Vodacom Play Every Day
FWA Site of the Day | Tweeting Badger
Webby Honoree + Multiple Cannes Shortlists | Tweeting Badger
Gold Midas | FNB "How Can We Help You" | Television
KEY STRENGTHS
• Integrated creative leadership at scale, guiding multidisciplinary teams, brands, and campaigns across global markets and channels.
• Deep client trust, built through long-term partnerships with senior marketers, CMOs, and business leaders.
• Business growth and commercial impact, winning business, expanding remits, and driving results through creativity.
• Culture-making work that earns attention, sparks conversation, and enters culture, backed by repeated international awards recognition.
• Brand repositioning and reinvention, transforming iconic brands for new audiences and new growth.
• Innovation and launch strategy, bringing new products, platforms, and category-defining ideas to market.
• Cross-category leadership with proven success across CPG, QSR, telecom, retail, financial services, and entertainment.
• Human-first Leadership, growing high-performing teams and mentoring future leaders with empathy, authenticity, and a belief that great cultures make great work.