Creative Partner

• Dec 2018 - Present

Jake has been working in the creative industry for 20 years now. This includes helping build the agency Publicis Machine and an 11-year stint at Ogilvy Cape Town, where his career actually began in client service. Not ideal, but we all pay our dues somewhere. During his 18-year career, he has taken blue-chip brands like Red Bull, Volkswagen, SAB, MWE, Adidas, Nando's and Marmite to new creative heights both locally and internationally including the global launches of the new Castrol Masterbrand, Castrol Edge and The Castrol Index starring Cristiano Ronaldo. As a member of the Creative Circle of South Africa, he has judged local Creative Circle events including The South African Loerie Awards, sitting on the Digital, Design, Tv, Print and Integrated panels, showing experience across all advertising platforms. He has also been the recipient of numerous awards including Cannes and Clios, One Shows, D&AD’s, Loeries and Eagles, constantly proving that a highly creative approach can also yield ROI focused campaigns. His work, both professionally and personally, has been published in various industry publications, both printed and digital. As one of the founding partners of what is now Publicis Machine highlights for Jake have been watching the agency grow to become a real creative force in South Africa, winning Break-Through Agency of the Year and securing a the top 10 creative ranking at the Loerie Awards. This is thanks to campaigns produced for clients like Marmite, RGBC, Nando's, Adidas and Red Bull. His latest project is throwback surf brand York Surf, of which he is co-founder and creative director. Jake lives in Cape Town. Loves the city and the people in it. He also loves the internet, surfing, reading, gardening, running and squash. He has two dogs. They’re ok. Show less

Editor

• Jun 2016 - Jul 2022

Jake has been working in the creative industry for 18 years now. This includes helping build the agency Publicis Machine and an 11-year stint at Ogilvy Cape Town, where his career actually began in client service. Not ideal, but we all pay our dues somewhere. During his 15-year career, he has taken blue-chip brands like Red Bull, Volkswagen, SAB, MWEB and Marmite to new creative heights both locally and internationally including the global launches of the new Castrol Masterbrand, Castrol Edge and The Castrol Index starring Cristiano Ronaldo. As a member of the Creative Circle of South Africa, he has judged local Creative Circle events including The South African Loerie Awards, sitting on both Digital and Print panels, showing experience across all advertising platforms. He has also been the recipient of numerous awards including Cannes and Clios, One Shows, D&AD’s, Loeries and Eagles, constantly proving that a highly creative approach can also yield ROI focused campaigns. His work, both professionally and personally, has been published in various industry publications, both printed and digital. Besides championing creative awork Jake also champions agency culture with initiatives like Project Apollo, Wolves and 13. He believes getting people to work hard for each other is key to a great agency. A strong agency culture facilitates this and he is often asked to talk externally on the subject. As one of the founding partners of what is now Publicis Machine highlights for Jake have been watching the agency grow to become a real creative force in South Africa, winning Break-Through Agency of the Year and securing a the top 10 creative ranking at the Loerie Awards. This is thanks to campaigns produced for clients like Marmite, RGBC and Red Bull. Jake lives in Cape Town. Loves the city and the people in it. He also loves the internet, surfing, reading, gardening, running and squash. He has two dogs. They’re ok. Show less

Executive Creative Director

• Feb 2011 - Jun 2016

Today Jake oversees Machine’s integrated creative offering. During his 14 year career he’s helped blue-chip brands brands like Volkswagen, Black Label, MWEB, Red Bull, Adidas and Marmite to reach new creative heights as well as re-launched Castrol and Pilsner Urquell internationally. He has been the recipient of numerous awards including Loeries, Cannes, Clios, One Show and D&AD’s which proves that a highly creative approach can also work for ROI focussed campaigns. As one of the founding partners of Machine his goal is build the success of the agency through the success of the campaigns the agency produces. Machine is an integrated agency born out of digital thinking. With a strong focus on return on investment, Machine delivers powerful, integrated marketing solutions, partnered with first-rate creativity, helping build mere brands into super brands. Machine has offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Show less

Executive Creative Director

• Sep 2014 - 2016

Today Jake oversees Publicis Machine’s integrated creative offering. During his 14 year career he’s helped blue-chip brands brands like Volkswagen, Black Label, MWEB, Red Bull, Adidas and Marmite to reach new creative heights as well as re-launched Castrol and Pilsner Urquell internationally. He has been the recipient of numerous awards including Loeries, Cannes, Clios, One Show and D&AD’s which proves that a highly creative approach can also work for ROI focussed campaigns. As one of the founding partners of Publicis Machine his goal is build the success of the agency through the success of the campaigns the agency produces. Founded in 2012, Publicis Machine is one of South Africa's largest communications agencies with over 150 passionate employees, offering a unique combination of award-winning creativity, compelling consumer insights and leading digital capabilities. The agency is represented in both Johannesburg and Cape Town, with specialist talent across four core pillars: Narrative (content marketing), Incentiv (loyalty and rewards), Answered (research), and Moon Walk (public relations). Show less

Creative Director

• Aug 2009 - Feb 2012

Copywriter

• Jun 2002 - Jul 2009

Copywriter

• 2002 - 2009

Account Manager

• Jul 1998 - Jul 2000

Accounts: Cape Talk, Volkswagen, British American Tobacco, Accounts: Cape Talk, Volkswagen, British American Tobacco,