Hi, I'm Wihan.
I’m not just an art director. I’m a creative thinker, art lover, viral creator, conceptual rainmaker and multi-skilled workaholic addicted to ideas. I’m an internationally awarded problem-solver and brand-builder who thrives on strategy, media and ideas that work across every platform. I’m an Adobe whiz, risk-taker, results-maker and AI enthusiast. With 21 years of experience, I’m known for my relentless work ethic and passion for experimenting with new mediums, visual innovations
and techniques that test the boundaries of what’s possible. Above all, I genuinely love what I do.
Originally from South Africa, I spent seven years in New Zealand creating work that made headlines and, on occasion, went viral. After nine months of freelancing,
I moved from New Zealand to Munich, Germany, where I have led creative work across Samsung Knox, OSRAM, Rohde & Schwarz, Fritz-Kola and BSH, from coffee machines and washing machines to the wider home-appliance portfolio. My approach brings the emotional power and cultural relevance of B2C thinking into B2B marketing, creating work that connects with people while delivering real business results. My awards and recognition include D&AD, Cannes Lions, The Webby Awards, Clios, One Show, AXIS, Loeries, Best Ads and Best Design Awards. Beyond advertising, I try to maintain a happy balance between Ad Land and Dad Land.
Work Experience
2025-Present
2017-2024
2015-2017
2013-2015
2012-2013
2010-2012
2004-2010
Creative Director -Iris Germany
After nine months of freelancing, I moved to Europe to lead creative work across Samsung Knox, OSRAM, Rohde & Schwarz, Fritz-Kola and BSH—from coffee machines and washing machines to the wider home-appliance portfolio. Throughout, I’ve brought a B2C mindset to B2B marketing, creating work that is strategically sharp, creatively ambitious and built to connect with people.
Creative lead -Tribal Aotearoa, Auckland Omnicon
Creative Director -DDB/Tribal Aotearoa, Auckland Omnicon
Senior creative -DDB Aotearoa, Auckland Omnicon
I’ve been at DDB Aotearoa for the past seven years, working my way up from senior creative to the creative lead at Tribal on the Samsung account. I also worked on brands such as Westpac Bank, Mobil, BMW, Delfast, Comfortech, Mini Cooper, Skoda, VW, L&P, Pump, Kiwi Rail, NEON, Disney Plus, Sky, Bettr, Dairy NZ, Arataki honey, Lion, Intercontinental, Smith&Smith, Jetstar, AAI, One, and Burnett Foundation Aotearoa.
My responsibilities included conceptualizing fresh ideas and collaborating with both internal and outsourced production teams to create work of a world-class standard. A big focus was to create digital and social content that could be extended into retail and through-the-line campaigns. As a creative lead, I made it a priority to create a space where my teams could feel empowered and supported (#AllEgosAtTheDoorPls).
Creative Director -BNRY DIGITAL WPP
At BNRY Digital, Johannesburg, I had an awesome experience working at my first digitally focused agency. Working on both retail and ATL, it was a valuable learning experience, where tech became a key part in building connections between consumers and brands. Ideation and crafting required me to work closely with teams of designers and developers, focusing on a mix of social, websites, and traditional media for clients as diverse as Isuzu, Discovery Life Insurance, Wilderness Safaris, and Vodafone.
Creative Director -Ireland Davenport WPP
I was brought in to work on Vodafone across Africa. The agency had just won that massive account and the pressure was on to prove our worth. Vodafone was an invaluable period of growth, in which I had to nurture several teams in a rapidly expanding creative department serving the Vodafone account, while still ensuring that our other clients get the love and attention they deserve. These included Investec Private Bank, BMW, Fox International Channels, Discovery TV, Isuzu, the Ditsong War Museum, and Salvation Army.
Saatchi&Saatchi SA- Senior Art Director
I was lucky enough to be among a whole new team brought on board to reboot and re-energise Saatchi & Saatchi Johannesburg which was going through a rough patch at the time. Here my job as a senior creative was to conceptualise and craft cut-through work that would bring local and international brands to life in the local market. My clients included Mercedes-Benz, Guinness, P&G (Pampers, Ariel, Olay), Eskom, Tempest Car Hire, Grazia magazine, Red Pepper audio books and Novartis.
Creative Group Head -Grey SA WPP
At Grey, I sharpened my ATL and retail skills on a large portfolio of clients from a wide range of industries. As Creative Group Head, I conceptualised, presented, and collaborated with production to see work through to the end. My main client was Mazda, but I also worked on Heineken, Amstel, P&G (Aquafresh, Head & Shoulders, Pantene), British American Tobacco, WesBank, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Bob Martin, Nampak (Cuddlers, Tena), and Pfizer (Centrum).
Art Director -TBWA HuntLascaris Omnicom
My first agency where it all began. Fondly referred to in South Africa as the “Oxford of advertising”, this iconic agency gave me the opportunity to work with some of the most awarded creatives and advertising experts. People like Damon Stapleton and Gary Steele taught me what good advertising looks like. Under their guidance, I grew from an assistant art director to a middle-weight creative, working on brands like South African Breweries, Standard Bank, BMW, Samsung, MTN, Tiger Brands, Cricket South Africa, Kyocera Printers, Isuzu, Mars, the Endangered Wildlife Trust, FeedSA, and the SA Aids Foundation. I walked out with my first set of awards, (including a D&AD Wooden Pencil, Cannes Lions Gold, One Show Silver and being 7th highest rated art director in Africa), but my biggest reward was learning what it means to be disruptive in this industry. I’ve carried these teachings with me.