PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
I am a digital strategist, creative director, and storyteller who creates content for brands, publications, and organizations that shapes people’s lives. A natural leader, I strive to create an environment where collaboration and innovation collide to make meaningful relationships that connect people and communities. Having done work in 42 countries worldwide, I have been fortunate to communicate and work with wonderfully diverse cultures. I believe in a user-led approach to solving problems to create something of immediate and lasting value.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, Cotê D’Ivoire, DRC, Dominican Republic, Dutch Antilles, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Ghana, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Jordan, Italy, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Republic of Congo, Reunion, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, West Indies, Zimbabwe
WORK EXPERIENCE
M&CSaatchi Abel
Partner: Head of Digital
March 2019 - October 2020
I was responsible for the agency’s digital outputs; I oversaw the digital side of strategy, creative, content, media integration, as well as managed the profitability of my department. I led a multifaceted division across the digital marketing spectrum. I brought focus to digital ingenuity by creating and curating a training curriculum including a roster of guest lecturers from key organizations & industry innovators.
CLIENTS: Heineken, Windhoek Beer, Strongbow, Lexus, Standard Bank, Netflix, Nando’s, Danone, YogiSip, DanUp, Mayo, Ultramel, Automark, MWEB, Yardley, English Blazer, NSPCA
PARTNERS: Facebook, Google, Ad Dynamo, BlueRobot, Salesforce
Head of Digital / Digital Creative Director
July 2018 - February 2019
I was tasked with launching the digital division of M&CSaatchi Abel Johannesburg. I recruited and managed a group of digital creatives, animators, social media teams, and strategists. I led the development and execution of digital creative campaigns and strategies for clients.
CLIENTS: Heineken, Windhoek Beer, Strongbow, Lexus, Nedbank, Nando’s, Danone, YogiSip, DanUp, Mayo, Ultramel, Automark, MWEB, Yardley, English Blazer, SARS, Beiersdorf, Freshpak, Bakers, Five Roses
Digital Director: Africa Division
July 2016 - June 2018
I was responsible for digital strategy & creative for our clients across multiple countries with the primary focus of overseeing Heineken’s Africa & Middle East Hub (21 countries) for their digital marketing. I led a multifaced team across digital disciplines. I also created and facilitated digital marketing workshops in Rwanda, Cotê d’Ivoire, and Nigeria.
CLIENTS: Heineken, Mützig, Primus, Turbo King, Amstel, Fayrouz, WWF, Global Fund, KP Reach,
Friesland Campina, Dutch Lady
Design Indaba
Executive Producer
October 2014 - June 2016
I was responsible for the growth, content strategy, and commercial viability of the Design Indaba online publication and lead a team of content creators, developers, and sales staff. I managed the profitability of the website and exponentially increased annual revenue through creating content marketing packages, increasing impressions as well as brokering syndication partnerships. During this time, I also maintained all previous role’s core responsibilities for the marketing, PR, and communications of the Design Indaba Festival.
CLIENTS: MasterCard, Chivas, Glenfiddich, Savanah, Coca-Cola, Monster Energy, Woolworths, La Bon Marché, Mini, Mercedes Benz, Nedbank, Uber, Anglo American, Nando’s
PARTNERS: WeTransfer, Adobe, Wacom, SA Tourism, British Council, Dwell, It’s Nice That, Designboom, Dezeen,
Creative Bloq, Design Week
PR, Marketing & Communications Manager
October 2013 - September 2014
I managed all marketing, communications & PR for the Design Indaba Brand & Festival. I was responsible for all marketing spend as well as all TLL campaigns. Created, signed, and fostered media partnerships which included over 17 international media partners (top design publications) and 11 local media partners (top news & design). In my time, earned media ROI increased by 111%.
CLIENTS: Grolsch, Chivas, ABSA, Coca-Cola, Monster Energy, Woolworths, MTN, Mini, Mercedes Benz, Nedbank, Uber, Anglo American, Nando’s, Liberty
PARTNERS: ICON, Architectural Digest, AXIS, Cool Hunting, Creative Review, WGSN, Dwell, It’s Nice That, Designboom, Dezeen, Creative Bloq, Design Week, Computer Arts, Design Milk, Sunday Times, Mail&Guardian, eNCA, Media24
Freelance
Marketing, Strategy and Communications Consultant
December 2012 - September 2013
As a freelance strategy and communications specialist, I developed digital, content, and social strategies for nine project-based local & international clients. This also included creating and managing corporate communications material: digital content, press releases, pitches, proposals, presentations, and company templates.
CLIENTS: Globecomm, Inmarsat, African Guar Gum Corporation, Nia South Africa, Charlie’s Bakery, Boschendal Wine Farms, Specialised Shows & Events, Creative Mornings, PechaKucha Cape Town
Groupon
Key Account Manager
July 2012 - December 2012
I established, signed, and maintained relationships primarily with the marketing and communications departments of blue-chip companies. For these clients, I managed the entire Groupon campaign process from beginning to end including paid, earned, and owned exposure, live tracking, and reporting. As a Key Account Manager, I also brokered exchange deals with key brands and that would help drive traffic to groupon.co.za. I developed proposals and presentations used in the EMEA region to bring in Key Accounts.
CLIENTS: Le Creuset, McDonalds, Ster-Kinekor, Coca-Cola, Cape Union Mart, Skip, Cape Town Fish Market, Vida-E Café, Condé Nast, Kauai
Strika Entertainment
Account & Project Manager
July 2011 - June 2012
I established and maintained relationships with the marketing and communications heads of multinational companies. I was also responsible for creating and managing all pitch and presentation material for both the Supa Strikas animation rights and sponsorship packages as well as the corporate communications division.
CLIENTS: KFC, Caltex, SANBS, UNAIDS, I&J, Stimerol, Score Energy Drink, ABSA, SANRAL, Spur, MTN, Vodacom, Johnson & Johnson, Colgate, Anglo American, SASSI, SARS
Additional Experience
*Because a detailed description of anything more than 10 years of work seemed excessive
Enterprise Holdings
Corporate Sales Executive / Assistant Manager
June 2008 - January2011
Specialised Shows & Events
Event Coordinator
January 2005 - January 2008
EDUCATION
Rhodes University
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
Class of 2007
I majored in Journalism and History with a minor in English. I specialized in writing and publication design but also had practical experience in broadcast and photojournalism.
Springfield High School
Matric with Distinction
Class of 2004
I matriculated with English, History, Geography, Spanish, Biology, and Mathematics.
Fun Fact: I skipped 9th grade - not because I was some genius prodigy, but because we moved overseas.
VOLUNTEERISM
The Street Store
The Street Store is a pop-up store for the homeless filled with donated clothing, shoes, and food. I helped with coordinating the Street Store events as well as assisted in gathering clothing and food from the community for donation.
Bethany House
Bethany House is a rehabilitation home for abused women and their children which helps integrate women back into society. I assisted with coordinating the quarterly events and donation drives with the home.
National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA)
The NSPCA is a society to prevent and end animal cruelty, promote the welfare of and compassion for all animals. I worked with a team to create a communications and donation drive campaign as well as a digital amplification plan.
Key Population Representation (KP Reach)
Part of the Global Fund, KP Reach is an advocacy programme to reduce HIV infections and related deaths. We created a campaign to drive acceptance of ostracized people. I helped with a digital dissemination and awareness plan as well as the creative direction of digital assets.
Baphumelele
Baphumelele is a shelter for vulnerable/orphaned children and teens with chronic diseases and HIV/Aids. I assisted with coordinating the quarterly events and donation drives for children's clothes, food, toys and school supplies.
Violence Prevention Through Urban Upgrading (VPUU)
VPUU is a community development organisation that improves of quality of life, safety and sustainability. I worked with them on a project that used interactive street art to raise funds to build lights in Monwabisi Park. I helped to amplify the project using media partners and social content across various platforms.