New creative director for McCann

Bringing new talent and creativity to McCann Erickson South Africa is one of the key ambitions of Zwelakhe Sisulu, recently appointed chairman of the board of McCann Worldgroup South Africa Festus, thus the appointment of Festus Masekwameng as a creative director at McCann could not have come at a better time.

Festus Masekwameng, newly appointed creative director at McCann Erickson South Africa

Says Martin Hummel, group CEO for the McCann Worldgroup South Africa, “I am personally delighted that Festus has chosen to join McCann. I believe he is one of the best young creative talents in the business. He's considered level headed and absolutely brilliant. If I was running our London office, I'd hire him in a second. We expect great things from him.”

Masekwameng, who began his creative career as a DJ, attended the AAA School of Advertising, and soon thereafter joined TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris as a junior copy writer. His creative skills, which seem to always have been bubbling under the surface, were very quickly brought to the forefront and he has won many awards since his days in school.

His first advertising award was for Best Student Portfolio at the AAA school in 2001. He then went on to bag Student Silver Loeries in 2002 for the “Alcoholics Anonymous” and the “Arrive Alive” print campaigns; Bronze, Silver and Gold Loeries in 2003 for various radio campaigns, including SABC1's “Gaz'lam”. He has also netted international awards – Clio; One Show; Cannes finalists; and two D&Ad entries.

Masekwameng also served as executive member of the Creative Circle in 2004/5.