Tshegofatso Phetlhe is an award-winning creative director hailing from Soweto, with a deep passion for storytelling that resonates. A graduate of Red & Yellow in Art Direction and Marketing & Advertising Communications, she has established herself as a trailblazer in the South African advertising industry.

Now a creative director at VMLY&R, Tshegofatso is best known for her impactful work on the Nando’s #RightMyName campaign, a project close to her heart. Inspired by the red line she saw under her own name when signing an email, the campaign shed light on the biases of digital platforms like Google and Microsoft. It not only challenged systems but celebrated the individuality of African names, earning multiple Loeries in 2018 and firmly cementing her reputation as a creative force.

For Tshegofatso, creativity is deeply personal. She draws inspiration from the people she encounters daily, believing each person she meets contributes to her personal and professional growth. “What a blessing it is to learn about people every single day,” she reflects.

As a black woman in a leadership role, Tshegofatso is dedicated to fostering inclusivity both in her work and her teams. She champions advertising projects that represent and resonate with black women, ensuring audiences see themselves authentically reflected in the work. But her advocacy doesn’t stop there. Through intentional recruitment, she actively creates opportunities for other black women, paving the way for a more inclusive and dynamic creative industry. “I’m putting down the ladder behind me. I’m not going up alone,” she says proudly.

This commitment to transformation is what sets her apart. By building teams that don’t need to over-explain the black experience in South Africa, she cultivates spaces where creativity thrives and stories are told unapologetically.

Tshegofatso’s journey is a testament to the power of representation and inclusion—a legacy she continues to expand with every campaign and every new talent she mentors.

Hugo studied both Digital Marketing and the Advanced Diploma in Marketing & Advertising Communications at Red & Yellow, completing the latter in 2016. 

He’s gone on to create incredible work for South Africa’s iconic brand Nando’s. Some of his notable work includes co-producing “Following the Beat: The Rhythms that Connect Us” for Nando’s UK. 

As a passionate storyteller, Hugo is also the founder of Kubhula, a podcast creative studio based in Maputo, Mozambique. Kubhula Podcast captures the views, thoughts and experiences of people living or contributing towards Mozambican society, intending to connect through conversation. He’s produced over 80 episodes, interviewing creators, innovators and change-makers.

Zakiyya Karim is a dynamic graphic and motion designer whose passion for storytelling has shaped a career filled with remarkable achievements. A graduate of Red & Yellow with a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communications, Zakiyya’s talent was recognized early when she earned a Silver Clio Award for a standout student project—a promising start to a creative career that continues to inspire.

She began as an Art Director at Ogilvy South Africa, collaborating on iconic brands such as Volkswagen, Audi, Skip, and KFC. Her drive to expand her creative toolkit led her to explore animation at 2Stories, where she contributed to campaigns for Standard Bank, Shyft, Life Health Solutions, Checkers, and Shoprite.

Today, Zakiyya works as a freelance graphic and motion designer, partnering with Design Bridge & Partners on projects for industry leaders like Standard Bank, PEP, Old Mutual, and the University of Cape Town. Her ability to seamlessly merge graphic design and animation has made her a sought-after creative talent.

Beyond her professional work, Zakiyya is dedicated to advancing inclusivity in the creative industry. As a member of the Loeries Youth Committee, she collaborated with other young creatives to champion representation and elevate awareness of diversity in the field—a cause close to her heart.

Born and raised in Cape Town and named after the legendary playwright Tennessee Williams, Tennessee Barber never dreamed that childhood days spent with crayons and scissors would lay the foundation for a dynamic career in advertising. Today, as a Senior Art Director at Accenture Song with over eight years of agency experience, Tennessee brings those early creative instincts to life, using the power of design and storytelling to inspire change both in the industry and beyond.

Tennessee’s career is marked by recognition at some of the most prestigious local and international creative platforms, including the Loeries, Bookmarks, One Show, and Creative Circle. Her work has been celebrated across campaigns such as Engen Social Communities, which earned accolades at the Bookmarks and Ad Dynamo Creative Awards, and the Zeitz MOCAA Brand Identity project, which garnered a Loeries award. She’s also worked on iconic campaigns like Nando’s social media, NetFlorist’s Mother’s Day radio, and was a proud ambassador for the Grow Hope initiative, an inspiring pandemic-era project aimed at spreading positivity and resilience.

Tennessee credits her studies at Red & Yellow as the springboard for her career and she fondly remembers the sense of possibility and innovation that shaped her path.

Richard Scott-Martin has built a career rooted in curiosity, a trait he attributes to his upbringing as the son of an industrial psychologist and a detective. That curiosity led him to found Sleuth in 2016, a firm focused on uncovering customer narratives and decision-making in platform businesses. Over the years, Sleuth developed a unique engagement framework that has helped leaders reduce risk and navigate demand-side uncertainty in marketing, sales, and innovation.

In 2019, Richard met William Miller, co-founder of DealersOnline, an online auction marketplace that facilitates over 4,500 used car transactions every month. Recognizing the potential in Sleuth’s insights, William invested in Richard’s ideas, setting the stage for Richard’s transition from theorizing about customer behavior to building tangible solutions.

This collaboration eventually led Richard to join DealersOnline as Chief Product Officer in 2023, where he now leads the charge in creating innovative products for the automotive industry. His journey includes launching groundbreaking platforms like DealerOS, a data platform powering digital dealerships; DealProtect, a warranty solution for used car retailers; and Car Passport, a vehicle history report system.

Despite the impressive achievements, Richard’s approach to success is refreshingly straightforward: “Sell something and then figure out how to build it.”

Nomaswazi Phumo is a strategic powerhouse in South Africa’s marketing and advertising industry. As the Head of Strategy at Levergy, she is known for her talent in simplifying complex business challenges and crafting impactful strategies that deliver measurable results. Her career has been defined by collaboration with some of South Africa’s most iconic brands across sectors like financial services, telecommunications, FMCG, and automotive.

With a proven track record of effectiveness, Nomaswazi’s work has been celebrated with several prestigious industry awards. However, she finds her greatest fulfillment in the meaningful contributions that push the industry forward. From serving as an industry contributor on 702’s Money Show with Bruce Whitfield—a career highlight that deepened her appreciation for radio as a communication medium—to creating space for bold, innovative work, Nomaswazi is constantly shaping the future of marketing and advertising.

Her passion extends beyond her professional achievements. As a champion for women in the industry, she dedicates herself to mentorship, most notably through the Touch South Africa Youth Program powered by the Loeries. In 2021, she served as a mentor, guiding young talent and fostering a culture of empowerment. She also takes pride in personally mentoring five young women, helping them navigate their careers and embrace their potential.

Joey Gordon has quickly become a force in the advertising world since starting her career in 2022. That same year, she joined the Loeries Youth Committee, where she played a pivotal role in championing diversity, equality, and inclusivity (DE&I) within the creative industry. Her talent and innovative thinking have shone through her work on iconic brands like Chicken Licken, Flying Fish, and Nedbank. Joey’s impressive portfolio has earned her numerous accolades, including Loeries, Pendoring, Bookmark, and Creative Circle awards. In 2024, she achieved one of her proudest milestones—the coveted Loeries Young Creative Award.

Beyond her professional achievements, Joey’s creativity extends into her personal passions. She loves illustration, video gaming, and learning new languages, all while maintaining her balance with a cup of green tea and an occasional game of tennis.

Joey reflects on her career with gratitude, finding fulfillment in every step of the journey. “It’s an honour to be recognised for what sometimes feels like outlandish creative ideas,” she says of her achievements.

At just 20 years old, Meaghan Essel began her career as a copywriter with M&C Saatchi Abel after graduating from Red & Yellow. Her talent was quickly recognized when she won her first Loerie Craft Award for Student Writing—a late-night WhatsApp surprise she’ll never forget. It was here she met her creative partner, Tennessee Barber, and together they worked on campaigns like Stranger Things for Netflix, Hidden Heritage for Iziko Museums, Zeitz MOCAA’s grand opening, and Sealand’s Poollution—all of which gained industry acclaim.

When the pandemic hit, Meaghan transitioned to freelancing across multiple industries before joining Faithful to Nature as Head of Copy. There, she developed a vibrant brand voice that empowered eco-conscious shoppers. Later, at King James (now Accenture Song), she reunited with Tennessee, elevating Engen’s social media into a culturally resonant platform—earning three Bookmark Awards. Her knack for innovation also shone in projects like Pizza Hut’s virtual gallery launch.

Now a creative force at Accenture Song, Meaghan continues to drive impactful, socially resonant work. As a 2025 IAB Y-Council member, she’s committed to creating a more inclusive industry for the next generation of creatives.

Meaghan reflects on her journey with gratitude for the network of creative friends she’s made along the way. Her proudest career moment? Being named “Good Fighter” at her team’s end-of-year Oscars—a title that captures her passion for making a difference.

Aghmad Solomon is a multi-talented Associate Creative Director who began his career in advertising at J. Walter Thompson after earning his qualifications in Art Direction and Graphic Design from Red & Yellow. His time at the school was marked by his dedication and creative spirit, earning him the prestigious Hazel Pearson Heart & Soul Award at his graduation in 2016.

Over the years, Aghmad has honed his craft working with global agencies such as JWT, Wunderman Thompson, and VML. His expertise spans FMCG, pharmaceuticals, infant nutrition, and integrated campaigns, with a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions for some of the world’s most renowned brands. Career highlights include leading creative work for KitKat, BIC, Shell, Johnnie Walker, CIROC, Smirnoff, and Voltaren.

Straight out of Red & Yellow, Aghmad hit the ground running as the lead Creative Art Director at JWT, where he spearheaded CIROC brand campaigns that won global internal accolades. His work on campaigns for Nestlé KitKat and Hot Chocolate has been recognized with Loeries, MMA Smarties, and New Generation awards, solidifying his place as a creative force in the industry.

In late 2024, Aghmad transitioned to freelance creative direction, where he now combines his passion for mentoring teams with crafting campaigns that resonate deeply with audiences. Through this new chapter, he continues to push boundaries and solve complex business challenges for his clients.

Matt Banner is the Head of Commercial Growth at 365 Digital, a leading African digital media, ad-tech, and commerce solutions company. Over its 25-year history, 365 Digital has represented some of the largest global platforms in Africa and supported thousands of advertisers in achieving their business goals.

Matt’s career in the marketing and sales industry spans over 11 years, during which he’s built an extensive network of senior and C-Suite professionals. Known for his ability to drive business impact, Matt specialises in fostering long-term strategic partnerships with his clients, a skill that has helped his teams execute market-leading campaigns and achieve world-first innovations.

His track record includes managing sales teams of over 15 people across major social media platforms like Twitter and TikTok, scaling platform investments to more than $22 million annually. Under his leadership, these campaigns have garnered numerous awards for their effectiveness and creativity.

Matt’s contributions to the industry were recognized early on when he was awarded the Red & Yellow Magic Maker Award in 2016, cementing his place as a leader and innovator in the digital media space.

For aspiring marketers, Matt’s success is a testament to the power of strategy, innovation, and building meaningful partnerships to achieve exceptional results.