curiosity is a superpower

I’m a curious, creative maker of things – innovations, ideas, stories, and experiences.

 

I believe that curiosity is a superpower and I’ve used mine to help grow a small design boutique into a recognized 80-strong creative agency that has won Ad Review’s Regional Agency of the Year twice, Ad Focus Partnership of the Year, and multiple awards. In the process, I’ve learned that it’s the culture that brings the people, the people that make the work, and the work that grows the business and the people.

 

I’ve also learned to trust the power of creativity to grow our clients’ businesses, and the ability of genuine partnerships to foster the best work. I’ve been fortunate enough to partner with great minds across the globe and have had the opportunity to work on, lead, and win major pitches for larger agency groups.

 

I’m most at home around people who are unpolitical, have a healthy suspicion of the status quo, constantly strive for better, and who laugh a little along the way. Ultimately, being part of a team with a common purpose is what gets me out of bed in the morning.

this is curious

My innate desire to ask ‘why?’ has led me to embrace different facets of creativity beyond traditional job descriptions. As a designer and art director by trade, I found that writing helped me organize my thoughts and tell better stories, while strategic thinking helped me understand people and gain deeper insights.

 

I love the the world of visual storytelling and idea-driven design experiences, but …

 

I often unearth territories that drive brand positioning strategies.

 

I write stories for brands and presentations, and I have won awards for radio.

 

I enjoy making things and creating experiences around those things.

 

I created the People First brand transformation framework.

 

My manifesto for the incurably curious, was adopted as an agency positioning.

relevant experience

2018-present: Co-owner/ECD – Wunderman Thompson/THB

 

2013-2017: Co-owner/ECD – J Walter Thompson/THB

2008-2013: ECD/Regional CD on Unilever – THB x BBH

 

2004-2007: CD – The Hardy Boys

awards

80+ awards

Clio Awards / Loerie Awards / Cannes Lions / Effie Awards / Epica Awards / Archive / Archive 200 best – Packaging / Assegai Awards / Smarties Awards / Prism Awards / New Gen Awards / Diageo Marketing Brilliance / Unilever Africa Excellence / Ad Review / AdFocus Awards

achievements

Wunderman Thompson AMEA CC member 2019 – present

 

Wunderman Thompson / THB Board Member 2018 – present

 

St. Mary’s DSG Board Member 2018 – present

 

Creative circle Judge 2019

 

Loerie Awards Judge 2015 – 2018

 

JWT Global Creative Council representative 2017

Diageo Best Global Innovation Campaign 2016

 

JWT / THB Board Member 2013 – 2017

 

Global Effie Award 2008

 

Ad Review Top 10 Young Creative Directors 2008

 

SPADA Young Designer of the Year (student)

 

Managing Director – Junior Achievers (student)

key skills

Ideation & storytelling
Creating meaningfully different ideas, stories and experiences that move people.

 

Creative strategy & integrated thinking
Unearthing territories that create rich platforms for creative ideas. Bringing big narratives and initiatives to life in cohesive ways across multiple touch points – both online and IRW.

 

Creative & values-based leadership
Managing, directing and developing people and product through shared organizational goals, creative goals and consistent values.

 

Art direction, design  & writing
Creating verbal and visual solutions for communication and design challenges. As an art director by trade, developing my writing skills has helped round my storytelling skills.

 

Communication & teamwork
Effectively articulating and communicating ideas. Providing direction to cross-functional teams while empowering people’s vision. Valuing the power of team. Never asking someone to do something I wouldn’t be prepared to do myself.

 

Problem solving & adaptability
Finding creative solutions for business and communication problems. Troubleshooting and helping teams navigate complex issues.

other interests

Adventure travel / fly-fishing / trail running / guitar / environmental design and making things