I am an accomplished creative thinker and leader. In over 2 decades of being in advertising, I have worked on some of the continent’s biggest brands at some of the continent’s biggest ad agencies, creating memorable and effective work. Starting off my career as a junior copywriter, I worked my way up to the point where I have co-established and run my own ad agency. In my time in this awesome industry, I have made it a point to work across and understand a broad spectrum of disciplines, thus helping me sharpen my mind as creative thinker and leader; not just a creative. I have also served on the Creative Circle Executive Committee, The Loerie Awards Executive Committee, Adobe Creative Roundtables, judged the Loerie Awards, Pendoring Awards, Ad of the Month and even the Botswana Advertising Awards. My work has received recognition locally, on the continent and internationally. I bring my expansive experience, entrepreneurial instincts & drive, as well as my unbridled enthusiasm for fresh, media-neutral ideas, to every project I tackle. But most of all, I am passionate about creating work that touches Africans, changing how we view ourselves and how the world views us. I am also the founder and soul contributor at Melusi’s Everyday Zulu, which sits on Facebook, has a feature on Jenny Crws-Williams radio show (Kaya FM), and a column in Finweek. Melusi’s Everyday Zulu – the book - was published in 2018 so I am also an author. Personal Details First names [Melusi] Surname [Tshabalala] Gender [Male] Residential area [Fourways, Johannesburg] Contacts ****@*****.*** Identity number [(***)-***-****2] Nationality [South African] Equity Status [Black] Home language [isiZulu] Other languages [English, Afrikaans, seSotho, Setwana, sePedi, isiXhosa, ] TERTIARY EDUCATION Institution [The AAA, Blairgowrie] Qualification [I studied copywriting, but did not finish my studies, as I was offered employment, during my first year of study. I grabbed the opportunity, with both hands and have never looked back.] Year [1998] Employment History PERMANENT Employer [ Studio 214] Type of company [Creative Services] Position held [Managing Director/Co-ECD] Key responsibilities [Ensuring the company runs smoothly, delivers exceptional work and grows.] Date [2016 February – 2019 December] Employer [Flint n Tinder (now part of King James Digital)] Type of company [Digital Agency] Position held [Executive Creative Director] Key responsibilities [Ensuring the delivery of a superior creative product. Identifying business opportunities, both new and within existing clients. Managing the creative department and creative stuff, as well being involved in the management of the greater agency. Date [2015 January – 2016 January] Employer [Mojo MotherRussia] Type of company [Ad Agency] Position held [Partner/Executive Creative Director] Key responsibilities [Ensuring the delivery of a superior creative product. Identifying business opportunities, both new and within existing clients. Managing the creative department and creative stuff, as well being involved in the management of the greater agency. ] Reason for leaving [We pulled the plug on the company and went our separate ways.] Date [2013 May – 2014 December] Employer [76 MotherRussia] Type of company [Ad Agency] Position held [Partner/Executive Creative Director] Key responsibilities [Setting up the company, ensuring the delivery of a superior creative product. Identifying business opportunities, both new and within existing clients Managing the creative department and creative stuff, as well being involved in the management of the greater agency. ] Reason for leaving [I didn’t leave. The company stopped existing, when it merged with Morris Jones & Co. to become Mojo MotherRussia] Date [2011 July – 2013 April] Employer [76] Type of company [Ad Agency] Position held [Partner/Executive Creative Director] Key responsibilities [Setting up the company, ensuring the delivery of exceptional creative work and growing the company.] Reason for leaving [I didn’t leave. The company stopped existing, when it merged with MotherRussia to become 76 MotherRussia] Date [2009 March – 2011 June] Employer [Young & Rubicam] Type of company [Ad Agency] Position held [Creative Director] Key responsibilities [Ensure the delivery of a superior creative product, lead on new business pitches and help manage the creative department] Reason for leaving [I took voluntary retrenchment so I could use the settlement to help me set up my own ad agency. Which I subsequently did] Date [2005 I don’t remember the exact date – 2009 February] Employer [Monyuku Productions] Type of company [Entertainment Company] Position held [Partner/Executive Creative Director] Key responsibilities [Set up company, acquire new business, conceptualise thrilling entertainment experiences, seek sponsorship to fund entertainment concepts, manage the business.] Reason for leaving [I wanted to return to advertising] Date [April 2001 – 2005 I don’t remember the exact month] Employer [Leo Burnett] Type of company [Ad Agency] Position held [Copywriter] Key responsibilities [Conceptualise and produce creative concepts] Reason for leaving [I wanted to start an experiential company. Which I did, even though it ended up being an entertainment company.] Date [1998 July – 2001 March]