Liberating inspired talent, as the revolution sweeps our industry, is Keith’s raison d’être.
Co-founding Net#work in May 1994, the first agency born in the new South Africa, and emboldened by his creative partner of nineteen years, Mike Schalit, his mission continues.
Keith has always been idealistic about South Africa’s and the advertising industry’s potential.
He is excited that there is a growing acceptance and appreciation that “breakthrough creativity” can be the most powerful catalyst for changing the world, and the world of brands.
He also believes that South African creativity, with its mix of resourcefulness, diversity, naïve optimism and willingness to experiment stands acknowledged as a potentially unique global force in advertising. The Mal Foundation is BBDO South Africa’s response to try and harness this reservoir of creativity for more noble causes – to change the world, one idea at a time.
Keith has senior executive experience in media, strategy and account management and in 2000, negotiated an alignment with global advertising network BBDO Worldwide.
In 2004 he was named CEO of BBDO’s South African interests – currently comprising two full service
advertising agencies: 140 BBDO in Cape Town and Net#work BBDO in Johannesburg.
BBDO South Africa has ranked consistently in the top three Agency Groups over the past ten years.
- Keith was named Financial Mail’s Industry Leader of the Year in 2006.
- Net#work BBDO is the only South African agency to have won three Cannes Grands Prix (2007, 2009 and 2011);
- 140 BBDO won the coveted Grand Prix Apex Award for Effectiveness in 2012.