I live in Johannesburg and work everywhere – this is the digital age, you know. I’ve been known to create cosmic campaigns from the comfort of my iPhone.
You can catch me relaxing at any place that has city views and good wine. Marble is one of my favourite places!
I’m known for having quite the potty mouth. If there was a creative award for the best use of profanities, I’m pretty sure I would have taken home the gold – which I would have bedazzled.
I also just get $#!t done as I hate procrastinating. I thrive on pressure and playing superwoman to others under pressure.
My longest stint as an employee was four years. That’s pretty long for a millennial in this industry, but I had a good mentor, so sucking the life out of him was my goal!
Back in 2011 I first tried to go for it on my own, but without experience it was difficult to keep afloat. Years later, I decided to start my own agency and had enough know-how to do it properly.
Firstly, my kid, then good food.
Then, if there’s any budget left over I’ll splash out on a rad pair of sneakers. And finally, I would consider myself an avid wildlife enthusiast; you can see the proof on my Instagram account.
The advertising industry, and digital specifically, is exciting and always evolving, and wow, things are becoming so intelligent with programmatic buying on TV and radio!
It’s coming, and it's going to revolutionise this industry.
I wake up and drink coffee, then get the kid ready for school. Then I happily graft all-day, and sometimes I get thrown hot messes to clean up!
My laptop, great internet connection, and a bag.
As a web-based company, everything I do is linked to the internet.
Currently, I’m more into agencies that aren’t bricks-and-mortar establishments. But I love what Retroviral is doing, they know content!
Mike Sharman 5 Jul 2017
I honestly think that the industry could do with less of the toxic masculinity mindset and be more inclusive of individuals with families. The idea that ‘without constant personal sacrifice you’re just not trying hard enough’ is rubbish.There’s nothing wrong with the odd, tight deadline, and I love my work, but at the end of the day it is a career and I’m still accountable to my family.
Right now I’m working on maintaining client relations and expanding the business. And as usual, I’m on the hunt for great creatives.
Artificial Intelligence, man! AI is taking over the marketing world. While everyone is going, “Nah, not really”, you need to remember Google’s algorithm is a piece of technology that mimics human behaviour – thus AI! And Google’s been doing it for years.
Omnichannel! Your customers’ path to purchase is getting more and more complicated – understand what it is, where the connection points are, then go forth and advertise!
I feel like I have my best ideas when I have the opportunity to be introspective. A mentor of mine was big into introspection, and he taught me that growth mentality is super empowering.
The Ninja Bomb! Google it, it’s a talent refined over many years of being the life of the party!
I’m a technophile for sure because my whole company operates using technology.
Loads of baby pictures, some portable toilets, animals, and work emails.
Keep pushing and searching for that next opportunity. If you’re not hustling, you’re losing out.
Simple as that. Be sure to follow both The Digital Thread and Van Zyl on Facebook and Instagram, as follows:
The Digital Thread’s Facebook | The Digital Thread’s Instagram | Van Zyl's Instagram
*Interviewed by Leigh Andrews.
