Global honour for advertising star
SOUTH African advertising guru Nkanyezi Masango has been selected as a judge for the prestigious international Art Directors Club Awards.
He is one of 16 judges on the advertising panel of the awards, which have been held annually since 1921. The awards celebrate the best in advertising, digital media, graphic and publication design, packaging, motion, photography and illustration, all with a focus on artistry and craftsmanship.
The 35-year-old creative director is the only person from Africa and the Middle East region to be chosen as a judge.
He has worked on commercials for brands such as SKYY Vodka, Caltex and Land Rover.
“When I got the news, it was late at night — I was on my couch and an e-mail popped up.
“The club is an [organisation] I’ve been studying since the beginning of my career, so it was quite difficult to believe it. I have been invited to judge at different shows in the past, but the club is probably the biggest one for me,” he said.
Masango started his career as a copywriter at TBWA/Hunt Lascaris in 2002. He was later recruited by the company’s branch in Hong Kong, where he lived from 2007, working on big campaigns like adidas for the Beijing Olympics.
After four years, Masango returned to South Africa to join Y&R’s Cape Town office, where he’s been the creative director since 2013.
His agency has won 24 Loerie, six Cannes Lion and two D&AD Pencil awards.
“It’s not every day that you . . . get to be on the panel,” said Masango.
The club did not respond to questions. The organisation’s website describes Masango and his team as “insanely talented”.