My Story
I grew up in theUK before I moved to SA where I worked in top agencies for 10 years. I was lucky enough to become one of the country’s most awarded creatives.
On the back of this, my art director and I were offered the chance to build an independent start-up agency within WPP and Ireland / Davenport was launched in 2006. We were very fortunate, being in the right place at the right time, and almost immediately won several brands from AB InBev and also the BMW account.
It was described in the industry press as SA’s most successful start-up ever. Although that’s stretching things a bit - the press frequently get totally carried away at times!
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Milestones at Ireland / Davenport
Became 3rd Largest Agency in the country
Voted South African Agency of the Year 3 Times
Voted South African Agency Leaders of the Year
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Clients won at Ireland / Davenport
BMW SA & Many Global BMW Product Launches / General Motors / Different Brands for AB InBev / Investec UK & Africa / Investec Asset Management / Standard Bank / Vodacom / MTN Pan- Africa / Plascon / Avis / South African
Tourism - Global / Budget Car Hire / Apple / Coca-Cola Brands
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Havas - Southern Africa
In 2019 left Ireland / Davenport to become CCO at Havas Southern Africa. Our task there was to put a solid but little-known agency on the map and generate revenue that way. We successfully used a "make noise" strategy to do this.
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Awards won - The agency's first gold Loerie in 10 years. D&AD Pencil.
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Clients won
Weelee - 2nd biggest online car sales platform
Didi - World's 2nd biggest ride-hailing app
3 x Reckitts international projects
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Ogilvy - Hong Kong
After just over 3 years at Havas, in need of adventure, I took up the position of CCO at Ogilvy Hong Kong. During my time there, we won the agency's first awards in a few years, and grew revenue by 15% despite many clients relocating to Singapore etc.
Awards won - Graphite pencil at D&AD, two lions and a gold Cleo.
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Clients won
Sotheby's - Auction division and property
HSBC credit card
3 x Landmark property development projects
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VICE Media / Virtue Advertising
Relocated to London for family reasons. Currently overs-seeing the London and Dubai offices. Involved in lots of different projects that operate in the content and long-from space in addition to the advertising space that I am familiar with.
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PS: I firmly believe that advertising is 100% completely a people business, and that it is essential that people inside agencies treat each other with respect and kindness. I have zero time for those who believe so firmly in their own talent that they are unable to do this. Treating people well is how you build businesses, teams, and the people within them. That was how I built my own agency, and that is how I like to work. Basically, I really enjoy people, and that is why I am in advertising!