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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.

PORTFOLIO
EXPERIENCEO
AWARDS

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

CONTACT
ENOUGH ABOUT ME

Tell me about you:

deannehofhuis@gmail.com

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Thanks for visiting! Come back anytime. 

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