
HELLO!
I'M DEANNE.
CREATIVE WRITER STRATEGIST STORYTELLER
D
Welcome to my portfolio, I'm so glad you're here.
As you scroll around, you’ll start to understand the type of creative I am.
I thrive on clever, interesting, innovative insights, ideas, moments, and even people.
I live for that feeling when an unexpected thought turns into something that can live and breathe in the world.
I also try to find the smile, the joy, in every brief.
Ok stop reading my intro, scroll down to see what I mean.
IT'S WHAT YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR
WELCOME TO
MY PORTFOLIO
I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE THINKING...
WHERE HAVE I BEEN
ALL YOUR LIFE?
2021-NOW
TIKTOK DUBAI
Creative Agency Partner, MEA
Creative Strategy Lead, ZA and PK
Associate Creative Director, Creative Lab
I started the latest chapter of my creative career in 2021 by joining the fastest growing social platform, and I've been learning at break-neck speed every day since. I get to use all the skills I acquired in my years in creative agencies to build region-wide creative marketing strategies, produce innovative creative campaigns, and work with my fellow agency creatives to push the creative bounds further than ever before on the ever-advancing platform.
2019-2021
RAPP DUBAI
Associate Creative Director
Creative Studio Lead
I started at RAPP Dubai as a Senior Copywriter, working on MetLife Insurance, MG Motor and Emirates Group brands. We won two pitches in the Upfield portfolio during the 2020 lockdown.
In 2021, I was promoted to Associate Creative Director, leading the full creative studio oerseeing both pitch and day-to-day TTL campaigns, including our agency's very first TikTok campaign pitch: a sign for times to come.
2018-2019
HAVAS MENA
Senior Copywriter
On my first day at Havas I joined the pitch team for Fox+ and National Geographic Abu Dhabi, which we were thrilled to win. I also kept busy on quite a few others including
First Abu Dhabi Bank, Veet, Durex, Mortein, and Peugeot.
2017-2018
WUNDERMAN THOMPSON MENA
Senior Copywriter
Wunderman was my introduction to the wonderful sandpit, I mean, Middle East. I was shipped over the pond from South Africa to work on Microsoft, but also got to work on Dubai Tourism, Panadol, Sunsilk, and Nana.
2013-2017
M&C SAATCHI ABEL CAPE TOWN
Copywriter
I spent almost 5 years at good ol' M&C, being inspired by incredible people and working on exciting brands. These included MWEB (telecommunications), 10X (finance and investment), Superbalist.com and Takealot.com (e-comm), Yardley (beauty), Virgin Active, and a number of NGO projects.
2011-2012
JUPITER DRAWING ROOM
(UTOPIA) CAPE TOWN
Copywriter
I spent my first year in the big bad world of advertising as one of the eight 'bright young things' chosen by Jupiter Drawing Room founder Graham Warsop. It is a fresh-talent creative development agency where I worked alongside some amazing minds on a variety of NGOs.
2010
OGILVY & MATHER CAPE TOWN
Copywriter Intern
I spent a wonderful month at the biggest agency in
Cape Town in awe of some of the best talent in the country, learning more than I had in my entire post-graduate copywriting course and making coffee for the Traffic Manager.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
IAA'S “INSPIRING WOMEN IN ADVERTISING” MEMBER 2024
LOERIE AWARDS JURY PRESIDENT 2024
LOERIE AWARDS JUDGE 2023
LOERIE AWARDS MASTERCLASS SPEAKER 2022, 2023, 2024
2 X CANNES LIONS SHORTLIST 2021
2 X BRONZE DUBAI LYNX AWARDS 2021
2 X ONE SHOW ASIA AWARDS 2021
1 X SILVER CRESTA AWARD 2020
1 X SILVER LISBON AD FESTIVAL AWARD 2020
1 X BRONZE LISBON AD FESTIVAL AWARD 2020
1 X CRYSTAL AD STAR AWARD 2020
2 X BRONZE BOOKMARK AWARDS 2019
3 X MARK LIVES AD OF THE WEEK 2016, 2017, 2018
1 X SILVER CREATIVE CIRCLE AWARD 2018
2 X BRONZE PIXEL AWARDS 2018
2 X GOLD ASSEGAI AWARDS 2017