After completing my under-graduate studies at the University of Stellenbosch and post-graduate honours degree at the AAA School of Advertising, I started my career at BrandSmith - a smallish, yet powerful and very successful marketing and advertising agency in Cape Town. This agency allowed me the opportunity to familiarise and entrench myself in through the-line work on blue chip clients. These clients were mainly within the liquor or spirits category, including brands such as Glenfiddich, Balvenie & Grant’s Whisky, as well as Rémy Martin & Louis XIII Cognac, Cointreau, Hendrick’s Gin and South African Breweries. BrandSmith also provided me with a work environment where your personal growth and career success were dependent on your own drive and aspirations. I excelled in this environment and soon my work ethic and discipline were recognised, taking me from the most junior person within the company to the position of Business Manager. During my time in these various positions, I learnt an immense amount, since I was involved in every aspect of the business. This ranged from the planning and implementation of marketing strategies and advertising campaigns, to relationship building and management of the internal team(s), various clients and suppliers, as well as the successful day-to-day running of a small to medium sized business. This time was an incredible building block for my career and from here I moved on to a big, international advertising agency, better known as M&C Saatchi Abel. Due to my experience within the liquor industry, I was appointed as Account Director of the Brandhouse portfolio, with the addition of the cosmetic brand, Yardley London, as part of my portfolio. A few months later I was fortunate enough to be promoted to Group Account Director of this portfolio. This esteemed agency challenged me to take my expertise to the next level, i.e. working and managing bigger teams, bigger brand portfolios and turning out work that is truly award-winning. The knowledge I acquired working across these different brands, clients and departments, vastly progressed my skillset in managing more extensive and diverse teams than ever before, and reporting into a shareholding board on behalf of my division. This being said, my heart has always actually belonged to marketing… And so, my journey in search of the perfect marketing position commenced. De Toren Private Cellar granted me the opportunity to combined two of my biggest passions - marketing and wine. I was appointed as Marketing Manager of this privately-owned brand and estate and have loved every moment of it. Being responsible for this premium brand’s marketing and sales strategy and the implementation thereof, have been a great learning curve and a very exciting challenge. An opportunity and position that have prepared me for an even greater one within the near future... I’m an outgoing, driven individual who enjoys to be challenged and for my mind to be stimulated. Always aspiring to more, is part of who I am. To me, succeeding means making a noticeable difference within a company and being of immeasurable value to the team.