THE BACKSTORY

From working at one of Europe’s most prestigious agencies, to opening a new agency in Shanghai, Mike has a wealth of experience and insight, which helps bring a unique creative expression and effectiveness to every campaign.

 Originally from South Africa, Mike has run global and local accounts in Africa, Asia and Europe, for clients including Nikon, Huawei, Adidas, Nestle, Alibaba, Oppo, Shangri-La Hotels and many, many more. Building these brands across every medium from digital, to traditional, to social, to search, has resulted in more than 100 international advertising and effectiveness awards.

 Career highlights include working with Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx to reposition the brandy category in South Africa, creating the campaign which helped outlaw the ivory trade in Hong Kong and creating award-winning advertising in five languages (and counting…)

 This has left Mike with an insatiable hunger to create work which makes brands MATTER in the lives of consumers, giving them tangible value and emotional connections in the modern digital world.

Currently also in the process of publishing a kids book and a documentary / audiobook series on dying languages… but being thoroughly stymied by our friend Covid.

THE BEDPOST

  • Head of Creative, Wayfair EU - 2022 - present

  • Group Creative Director, Ogilvy & Mather Shanghai, 2019 - 2022

  • Creative Director, Stink Studios Shanghai, 2018 - 2019.

  • Creative Director, Jung Von Matt/Spree Berlin, 2017 - 2018

  • Creative Director, Ogilvy & Mather Hong Kong, 2014 - 2017

  • Creative Group Head & Writer, 140 BBDO Cape Town, 2009 - 2014

  • Copywriter, FoxP2 Cape Town, 2006 - 2009

THE ACHIEVEMENTS

2022: Wood Pencil D&AD, 2x Cannes Finalist, Silver Clio, Bronze Clio, 4x Clio Finalists, 12x One Show Finalists, 2x APAC Effies Bronze

2021: 3x Cannes Finalist, Silver Clio, 4x Clio Finalists, 6x OneShow finalists, 1x APAC Effie Bronze, 1x APAC Effie finalist, 2x LIA Silver, 2x LIA bronze.

2020: Finalist in the long-form Documentary category at Ciclope Global.

2019: Started an agency in Shanghai from scratch, winning clients including Ray-Ban, Oppo, Alibaba and more - creating work locally and globally, including digital, experiential activations, films and more.

2018: Amnesty ranked the 6th most awarded outdoor campaign of 2017 (Big Won) 

2017: 21 x Cannes Finalists, 3 x Cannes Bronze, 1 x Cannes Silver, 2 x Clio Silver, WWF ranked WARC’s 29th most awarded campaign globally, D&AD Wood Pencil, Andy’s Nomination, 3 x One Show Finalists, 1 x New York Festival Finalist, 9 x Spikes Asia Shortlists.

2016: 3 x Spikes Asia Silver, Shorty Finalist, Cannes Shortlist, 2 x Silver, 1 x Bronze London International Award,  2 x Hong Kong Marketing Gold Awards, 3 x WPPED Cream Highly Commended, 2 x HK Effies Merit, Clio Finalist, Grand Prix, 2 x Gold, 2 x Silver, 1 x Bronze PMAA Dragons, 2 x Sabre Award Gold, Gold and Bronze Echo Awards.

2015:   Cannes Shortlist, One Show Merit, Discovery Sport Industry Awards Best Sponsorship.

2014:   1 x Loerie Silver, 5 x Loerie Craft Awards, Discovery Sport Industry Awards Best Launch.

2013:   Judged the 2013 Loerie Awards, 1 x Loerie Silver, 1 x Loerie Bronze,

1 x Bookmarks Silver,  1 x Bookmarks Bronze, 1 x Eagle Bronze.

2012:   Judged the 2012 Loerie Awards, 3 x Loerie Gold, 4 x Loerie Bronze,

2 x Creative Circle Ad of the Year, 1 x Apex Grand Prix, 1 x Apex Gold, 1 x One Show Finalist,

1 x Clio Award Finalist, 1 x Bookmarks Silver, 1 x Bookmarks Bronze.  

2011:   1 x D&AD In book, 1 x Cannes Bronze, 3 x Cannes Finalists, 2 x Loerie Gold,

2 x Loerie Silver, 3 x Loerie Bronze.                

2010:   1 x Eagles bronze, 1 x One Show Silver.

2009:   2 x Cannes Finalists, 1 x One Show Finalist, 1 x Clio Finalist, 1 x Bronze Loerie.

2008:   Gold Loerie Award, Silver Loerie Award, Bronze Loerie Award, 2 x Cannes Finalists,

1 x Clio Finalist.

2007:   1 x Cannes Finalist, 2 x Silver Loerie Awards, 2 x Bronze Loerie Awards,

Silver Pendoring Award.

THE PITCH WINS

Ogilvy Shanghai: Alibaba AliExpress Global, Coca-Cola China, Coke Zero 007 Global Launch, Minute Maid - one of Coca Cola’s billion dollar brands in China, Tecno Mobile Global.

Stink Studios: Alibaba AI Labs launch, OPPO global digital campaign,

Ogilvy HK: AsiaMiles, Huawei Device Projects, Huawei Software Projects, Wheelock Properties, Landmark Projects

140 BBDO: Adidas, Metropolitan Life, Cadiz Financial Services Group, multiple Distell projects

FoxP2: Various Diageo Projects, Coronation Fund Managers

CATEGORY EXPERIENCE

Technology: Alibaba, Huawei Global, Nikon Global, OPPO Global, Cyberobics Fitness

Ecommerce: Wayfair EU - experience running every creative touchpoint.

Finance: Standard Chartered, AIA, BlackRock and more experience locally and regionally on variety of Banking, Insurance and Investment accounts.

FMCG: Nestle Global, Snickers, Johnson&Johnson, extensive alcohol experience both locally and regionally.

Services: Shangri-La Hotels locally and globally.

Sports: Adidas, Nike.

Fashion: Ray-Ban