Continental Content Creation and Copywriting Experience
Over and above my 17-year South African advertising experience — for leading global and local agencies and companies — I have also had first hand continental exposure and working exposure.
Maseru, Lesotho — Documentarian
The first of such opportunities saw me working as a documentary scriptwriter and director for UNECA and the US Aid in Maseru and Nigeria. One of the notable projects was a youth-based campaign called “Pusha Life”, which set out to dispel myths about living with HIV: and used real peer testimonials to educate the masses about how they could live long and positively regardless of their status. The whole campaign was executed in the SeSotho language, and went on win the prestigious David Renee Award for Effective Communication in 2014.
Abuja, Nigeria — Digital Media Strategist
On the back of my Maseru success, I got offered an opportunity to be part of a youth-led New Media and Communication delegation for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECO) in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. The task was to advise the Science and Technology Ministry of Nigeria on effective ways of using digital media to roll-out grassroots-led, youth economic empowering campaigns.
Lagos, Nigeria — Lead Copywriter
In lieu of my continental track record, J. Walter Thompson Johannesburg CEO, Jim Faulds, and Executive Creative Director, Paul Strappini, appointed me as the lead creative for the local and continental Suntory pitch, comprised of Lucozade and Ribena. Upon winning the pitch against the holders Ogilvy & Mather JHB, I was made the Lead Copywriter on the account for Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands — spanning Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Mauritius. My role involved overseeing the development of a continental brand tool-kit, as well as ensuring its timeous implementation. I also undertook skill transfer initiatives at J. Walter Thompson's LTC Lagos office .
Nairobi, Kenya & Port Louis, Mauritius — Campaign CI "Champion" and Creative Lead
Based on the successful West African integrated campaign roll out for Lucozade, I got to work closely with partner agencies on the campaign rollout in Nairobi and Mauritius. Prior to actual launches, market immersions were undertaken by the team and myself, which helped the team to apply winning nuances to Lucozade's The Energy To Do You campaign.
