Experience

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  Catch + Release

  • Cape Town Area, South Africa

  • Digital Creative Director

    • Nov 2019 - Apr 2023
    • Cape Town Area, South Africa

    I was hired by Catch + Release to head up the digital team that serviced rain, the data and mobile network. Initially the team consisted of 2 people but that grew to over 12 in a year. I was heavily involved with the recruitment, and structuring, of the team as it expanded to meet the need of rain's rapid growth.I was responsible for managing digital campaigns from conception to implementation. Additionally, I actively contributed to content creation, producing 3D animation, illustrations, AR elements, and motion graphics for various platforms, including social media, YouTube, and TV.Our diverse team encompassed talents in UX/UI, social media, specialist display media, motion, and design. Collaborating closely with these teams, I ensured that the work across all digital channels adhered to high standards and followed brand guidelines. Additionally, I spearheaded the introduction of a successful intern program, bringing fresh talent into the agency.I worked closely with the clients media team to ensure that campaigns were performing optimally. I also helped set up a dynamic banner system, using Google Web Design and Flexitive, to help streamline the process.We also worked closely with the South African YouTube team to help optimise our video campaigns. We had almost monthly calls with them to get feedback on recent campaigns which really helped us create more effective ads.A significant aspect of my role involved overseeing the UX/UI team, an area where the client emphasized innovation and streamlining. We tackled a range of projects on various platforms, with a focus on evolving the rain website and app. Continuous improvement efforts included enhancing the consumer journey through initiatives like RICA online and flexible payment dates.

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  ninety9cents

  • Digital Creative Director

    • Jan 2018 - Nov 2019

    My position as Creative Director was to head up the 15-strong Checkers digital team.Checkers is one of the largest retail chains in South Africa with a huge always-on digital presence, with work ranging from daily product and price deals to multiplatform campaigns like Little Garden.I was brought in to help shape and run the digital department more effectively and to ensure that the work was of a high creative quality that pushed innovation with every campaign.I worked on wide range of campaigns for the mother brand which include Easter, Xmas, Black Friday. Additionally, I worked on numerous campaigns for Checkers' in-house brands such as Oh My Goodness, Simple Truth, Odd Bins, Tech X, and Ready to Chef.These campaigns range from product launches, package design to live stream shows. I work closely with our media and strategy department to ensure that our creative is effective and strategically aligned to our brand objectives.Another significant aspect of my role was mentoring, which was vital as we had very young team. I worked closely with them to enhance their digital skill sets and improve their creative presentation skills.

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  Superbalist.com

  • Cape Town Area, South Africa

  • Head Of Digital Design

    • Sep 2017 - Dec 2017
    • Cape Town Area, South Africa

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  Eryce AG

  • Cape Town Area, South Africa

  • Executive Creative Director

    • Nov 2016 - Aug 2017
    • Cape Town Area, South Africa

    In my role as ECD at Eryce, I lead a compact team of senior designers working on diverse projects for our predominantly international clientele.Our primary focus revolved around providing tailored solutions for start-ups and entrepreneurs, collaborating closely with them to enhance and strengthen their products and digital platforms.Throughout the entire project lifecycle, I collaborate with our UX and Dev team to maintain consistency in quality and ensure efficient timelines.I actively contribute to setting the KPIs for our department and team in collaboration with management. Emphasizing the importance of talent retention, I drive team building initiatives and prioritize skills development within my department, recognizing the critical role it plays in building a successful studio.

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  Gloo@Ogilvy

  • Cape Town Area, South Africa

  • Creative Director

    • Jun 2009 - Oct 2016
    • Cape Town Area, South Africa

    Gloo was South Africa's most awarded digital agency, recognized for both effective and creative work. It held the title of Digital Agency of the Year from 2007 to 2013 and received numerous international and national awards, including Cannes, Echo, The Emmys, Promax/BDA, D&AD, CLIO, Webby, Midas, and more.During my time at Gloo, I worked on a multitude of campaigns, ranging from large-scale to smaller projects, collaborating with top South African brands such as Spur Steak Ranches, Castle Lager, Puma, Barloworld CAT, Mweb, Audi, FNB, SAT, Windhoek Lager, Allan Gray, Vodacom, and FNB.For nearly five years I was the lead CD on the Castle Lager account, overseeing the digital team that helped propelled the brand forward and expanded its digital presence.Additionally, I led the Spur team for six years, contributing to the team's effort in transforming the account into one of Gloo's most profitable and successful clients. We played a key role in establishing Spur as one of the country’s leading digital brands, focusing on building and maintaining their loyalty, gifting, and social platforms and campaigns.

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  Kerb

  • Brighton, United Kingdom

  • Art Director

    • Jan 2001 - Jan 2009
    • Brighton, United Kingdom

    In 2001, I was invited by Kerb to join their team in the UK, and I jumped at the opportunity. Kerb's fun, off-the-wall approach to online marketing was a million miles away from anything available on the web at the time.Starting as a Senior Designer, I advanced to the role of Art Director within three years. I played a pivotal part in the team that transformed Kerb into one of the UK's most successful and renowned viral agencies, earning multiple awards and industry accolades, with several top UK brands as clients.My dual role as Art Director and Lead Designer involved overseeing projects from initial concept brainstorming to final design and presentation. I managed various elements, including interface design, logos, character design, animation, illustration, and background design.The projects spanned a diverse range, such as educational games and animation for BBC, SKY TV, interactive applications for NOKIA, games for Disney Europe and Japan, interface and game design for LEGO, a games portal for Samsung, and websites and games for SONY, among many others.Given the often tight deadlines, my strength lay in efficiently delivering high-quality work while ensuring an fun user experience. As the Art Director, I transferred these qualities to my team, ensuring they consistently delivered excellence within time constraints. Managing the design department involved maintaining a balance between workload and personal side projects to encourage skill development among the team.One noteworthy project involved collaborating with Sony on the design of a website and interactive flash movies for the launch of the new PS3. The success of this campaign led to Sony entrusting us with designing the website for their new PSP-GO range.Contact: Jim McNivven [email protected] Website: kerb.co.uk/

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  FCB Electric Ocean

  • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

  • Senior Designer

    • Jan 2000 - Dec 2000
    • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

    In 2000, I joined FCB Electric Ocean, the interactive division of FCB SA, the third largest advertising agency in South Africa. Electric Ocean was regarded as a leading web agency with several awards under its belt. I joined as Senior Designer and in my year there, I worked on a range of projects including Toyota, Energade and Compaq.

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  VWV Interactive

  • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

  • Senior Designer

    • Jan 1995 - Dec 1999
    • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

    After departing from Rapid Phase, I joined VWV Interactive in 1995, a pioneering digital design agency in South Africa. Starting as a Junior Designer, I advanced to the role of Senior Designer over my five-years there.My responsibilities encompassed conceptualization, storyboarding, flash animation, game design, web design, and creative direction. I contributed to projects for prominent South African brands, including South African Airways, SABC, and Nando's. Notably, our work on the Nando's website earned one of the first digital Loerie Awards, the highest recognition in the South African advertising industry.Contact Jarred Cinman: +27 11 555 3800http://www.vwv.com/

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  Rapid Phase Entertainment

  • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

  • Illustrator

    • Jan 1994 - Dec 1995
    • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

    Shortly after graduation I worked for two years at Rapid Phase, a small agency specializing in the creation of illustration, cartoons and comics for adult literacy and corporate communications. They are also, more famously, known for creating South Africa's most popular serialised cartoon strip Madam & Eve.My position was Junior Artist and I worked as an illustrator on several comic strips and booklets for many projects including AIDS awareness.Contact Rico: +27 82 330 4012