Greg Sheppard
$45/hr
Experienced Award Winning Creative Director - Strong conceptual. Attention to detail.
PROFESSIONAL CV
GREG SHEPPARD
Creative Director | BA in Art Direction and Marketing
Johannesburg, South Africa | - |-LinkedIn
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Creative Director
Greg Sheppard has been a frontrunner and innovator in the South African Marketing and Media
sector for over two decades. As Creative and Digital Director, he has excelled, leading teams,
agencies and entrepreneurial endeavours.
Greg’s professional journey has mirrored the trajectory of the South African Advertising industry,
which has consistently been regarded as a powerhouse of creative excellence and influence on
the global stage.
He began his career at TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris, recognised globally for Nelson Mandela’s election
campaign and named agency of the decade in 2010. In his role as Art Director there and later
working with and for other giants in the industry, i.e., Ogilvy and BBDO. His early career was
defined by national and international awards (Loerie, Cannes, etc) and increasing client campaign
reach by an average of 15 - 30%.
Known within the advertising, marketing and design fields, a "heavyweight creative", Greg is a
highly accomplished and influential individual consistently delivering high-value, high-impact
outcomes which increase shareholder Return on Investment (ROI) significantly.
Greg’s latest venture as an entrepreneur, conceptualising, launching and scaling the first-ever
free-access, advertising-funded Video-On-Demand (AVOD) content platform across the African
continent, has disrupted traditional paid-subscription models, enabling young content creators
to monetise their offerings. This cutting-edge enterprise has been typical of Greg’s ability to
innovate and surprise as a game-changer whose name on a project adds immediate credibility
and a guarantee of breakthrough results.
He has worked with some of the world’s most recognisable brands, including Heineken, L’Oréal,
Red Bull, BMW, FORD, Unilever and Sony.
Examples
of
his
work,
AI
Content
and
Video
Productions,
can
be
found
on
https://gregorsheppard.portfoliobox.net/.
Leadership Profile: Strong team management, business outcome-aligned creative thinking and
execution.
Ability to work well under pressure and translate customer needs into a clear
marketing strategy. Big Picture Thinker.
Targeted Roles: Creative Director or Head of Content roles - local or international
KEY CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Collaborated with and worked for internationally renowned advertising agencies as Creative
Director.
Created content and campaigns for premium local and international companies/brands.
Consulted with the C-Suite to align marketing strategy with overall business goals.
Curriculum Vitae of Greg Sheppard
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Designed and executed landmark campaigns which were awarded and became benchmarks
in the industry.
Constantly adapted to radical transformation over the last two decades, i.e. shifts in media
consumption, data availability and technology.
A forerunner in the leverage of Storytelling. User-Generated Content (UGC) and Omnichannel
Strategies.
Poised to optimise AI, changing the focus from broad campaigns to hyper-personalised,
measurable, and automated interactions.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
-
Creative Direction
-
Digital Direction
-
High Impact Content
Development
Team Leadership
Marketing Strategy
-
Client and Stakeholder
Management
Brand Strategy
Integrated Campaign
Experiential)
-
P&L Management
Social & Influencer
AI, Video, UGC & Motion
Content Strategy
-
High-level Consultancy
Budget Control and ROI
Live Events
Marketing
-
Leadership (TTL, Digital,
Digital Story Telling
Content Monetisation
-
Creative Innovation &
Trend Forecasting
-
Business Development
AVOD Platform Launch
QUALIFICATIONS
BA in Art Direction & Marketing (Top 5 Graduate); AAA School of Advertising, 2000
Senior Certificate / Matric; Pretoria Boys High School, 1996
CURRENT CAREER EXPERIENCE
ContentBacon, USA
July 2025 to Date
Creative Director
Leads brand strategy and content development for a diverse range of industries,
transforming business goals into actionable storytelling.
Combines strategic oversight, creative execution and collaborative leadership in order to help
brands find their voice and scale their message.
Directs campaigns across SaaS, education, and emerging tech sectors.
Collaborates with writers, designers, and other stakeholders to ensure content is purposeful,
on-brand and performance-focused.
Contributes to internal process improvements and creative systems to increase consistency
Advises clients in aligning messaging with long-term brand positioning through editorial
planning, tone of voice, and platform-specific storytelling.
and creative quality.
Vertical Limit Productions, Johannesburg, South Africa
January 2018 to Date
Senior Strategic Creative Consultant (Founder)
Designs and drives creative strategy, providing a high-level creative consultancy and strategic
advisory services to global, blue-chip companies, including Red Bull, Heineken, BMW,
Discovery, and L’Oréal.
Curriculum Vitae of Greg Sheppard
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Leads cross-channel campaigns - initiating, developing and steering omnichannel strategies.
Combines deep market insights with cutting-edge digital and traditional storytelling
techniques to define brand narratives and achieve marketing objectives.
Secures short and long-term contracts as lead creative authority, collaborating to shape
brand messaging and creative direction from the initial pitch stage through to final execution.
Creates and presents comprehensive roadmaps, positioning brands for long-term growth
and cultural relevance in rapidly evolving consumer landscapes across the African continent
and globally.
Controls and optimises campaign budgets from US$ 10 000 to US$-.
Devises disruptive creative models, integrating new technologies (e.g., experiential, AR/VR,
data-driven personalisation) into campaign frameworks.
Partners directly with C-Suite to ensure creative output is strategically aligned with business
KPIs, ensuring optimal Return on Investment (ROI) for creative spend.
View4All.tv, Johannesburg, South Africa
January 2018 to Date
Founder and CEO
Conceptualised, launched, and scaled View4All.tv, the first-ever free-access, advertisingfunded Video-On-Demand (AVOD) content platform across the African continent,
successfully disrupting traditional paid-subscription models.
Developed and managed the entire end-to-end platform architecture, including IP
infrastructure, content delivery network (CDN) strategy, and monetisation models, ensuring
scalability and low-cost delivery to diverse African markets.
Acquires, curates, and monetises User Generated Content (UGC), branded content, and highquality African-produced content, establishing a unique and cost-effective content supply
chain.
Successfully navigates the fast-evolving African digital landscape to drive user acquisition and
secure key advertising partnerships, proving the viability of the free-access model.
Supports social and economic empowerment by maintaining a unique ecosystem focused
on mentoring, collaborating with, and empowering young content creators and social media
influencers, providing them with a platform to monetise their work.
Directs all commercial aspects, including ad inventory management, data analytics for
audience segmentation, and integrating programmatic advertising solutions to maximise
revenue per user and platform valuation.
PRIOR TENURES
Vertical Limit Productions, South Africa
March 2014 to December 2017
Creative Director / Company Director
Directed Creative and Business Strategy, responsible for the P&L (Profit and Loss)
management and strategic vision of the production house.
Secured and managed high-value accounts, leading new business development and pitch
processes, and overseeing creative work for major global and local brands, including
Samsung, Liberty Group, Airtel, Bentley, SAMA, BBC, and DSTV.
Controlled and optimised large project and campaign budgets, ensuring optimal ROI for
client creative spend.
Led the conceptualisation and strategic planning for large-scale experiential marketing, live
events, and immersive activations that served as anchor campaigns for major brands across
the continent.
Orchestrated award-winning brand experiences, directing creative execution, consistently
delivering best-in-class customer touchpoints, which garnered industry awards.
Curriculum Vitae of Greg Sheppard
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Developed comprehensive cross-channel creative strategies that seamlessly integrated live
events with digital, social, and traditional media campaigns, moving clients beyond singlechannel advertising.
Built, mentored, and managed multi-disciplinary teams (designers, strategists, producers,
and technologists).
Served as Executive Creative Authority and Subject Matter Expert on the Board of Directors,
responsible for quality and financial control across all deliverables, establishing rigorous
standards that positioned the company as a leader in experiential marketing.
Developed internal processes and workflows necessary to efficiently scale up operations to
manage simultaneous large-format projects and secure short- and long-term contracts.
EARLIER CAREER SYNOPSIS
Company
Title
Example of Clients
Dates
Various
Johannesburg
Agencies
Freelance Heavy
Weight Creative
Ford, MTN, Toyota, Airtel,
and Virgin Mobile
2010 to
2014
Interbrand
Sampson –
Johannesburg
Creative Director
African and
International Brands
The Agency –
Johannesburg
Creative Director
Telkom / Yellow Pages /
AVBOB
2007 to
2008
Freelance Johannesburg
Medium to Heavy
Senior Art Director for
renowned Agencies
Ogilvy, Y&R, BBDO,
Titanium Room, TBWA,
WPP
2004 to
2007
FCB South
Africa
Medium Weight Art
Director
Adcock Ingram,
Vodacom, Toyota,
Beacon, Purity, Bonitas
2004
TBWA \ Hunt
Lascaris
Studio Assistant
promoted to Junior
Art Director
BMW, Tiger Brands,
Tastic, All Gold, MTN,
Standard Bank
2009
2001 to
2002
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Several Loerie Awards and Finalists
Vuka Film Awards
Pendoring Awards
Eagle Awards
Marketing Awards
Cannes Advertising Awards and Finalists
Clio Awards and Finalists
Young Gun Finalists
D&AD Finalists and Book Entry
Curriculum Vitae of Greg Sheppard
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HOLISTIC SKILLS PORTFOLIO
Executive Strategic Creative Leadership
Consults directly with C-Suite executives to align marketing strategy with overall business
goals.
Optimises P&L for production ventures, expertly controlling large project and campaign
budgets.
Secures and manages high-value accounts, leading new business development through
pitch, process and implementation.
Digital & Platform Innovation
Conceptualised, launched, and scaled View4All.tv, the first-ever free-access, advertisingfunded Video-On-Demand (AVOD) platform in Africa, successfully disrupting paidsubscription models.
Developed and managed the entire end-to-end platform architecture, including IP
infrastructure and CDN strategy.
Directs commercial aspects, including ad inventory management, data analytics for audience
segmentation, and integrating programmatic advertising solutions.
Integrated Creative & Content Mastery (Heavyweight Creative)
Designs and drives cross-channel creative strategies, seamlessly integrating live events with
digital, social, and traditional media campaigns.
Leads the conceptualisation, planning, and execution of large-scale experiential marketing,
live events, and immersive activations for major brands.
Leverages Storytelling, User-Generated Content (UGC), AI, and Motion Content strategies to
define brand narratives and achieve marketing objectives.
Team Leadership & Talent Empowerment
Built, mentored, and managed multidisciplinary teams (designers, strategists, producers, and
technologists).
Serves as the Executive Creative Authority and subject matter expert on Boards, responsible
for quality and financial control across all deliverables.
Global Brand Acumen & Industry Recognition
Proven track record with global blue-chip clients, including Heineken, L’Oréal, Red Bull, BMW,
and Sony, across local and international markets.
Designed and executed landmark campaigns that were awarded and became benchmarks
in the industry, including recognition from Cannes, Clio, D&AD, and Loerie Awards.
Translates complex customer needs into a clear marketing strategy, demonstrating a "Big
Picture thinker" approach and a commitment to innovation and trend forecasting.
PERSONAL DETAILS
Nationality
South African
Languages
English | Afrikaans
Driver’s License
Code A and EB
References & Certificates
Presented upon request
Availability
Two Weeks’ Notice
Curriculum Vitae of Greg Sheppard
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