I’ve spent my career at the intersection of "How do we make this look amazing?" and "How do we make this actually work?" Years figuring out how to get people speaking about brands, how to cut through the noise, and how to do more than just post on social media, but to actually participate in the conversation. I believe that the best strategies aren’t just about big budgets, they’re about big ideas that resonate on a human level. That tell a story people don't want to skip. Whether you’re looking to redefine your brand’s culture or need a strategic lead for your next launch, I'm your girl. I help brands: ✨Build Immersive Brand Worlds: creating ecosystems where audiences don’t just consume content, they want to live in it. ✨Act as a Cultural Architect: bridging the gap between where your brand lives and where your audience actually breathes, ensuring you stay relevant in a constantly shifting landscape. ✨Scale Creative Excellence: implementing workflows and systems that allow high-level storytelling to scale without losing its soul. ✨Lead with Impact: from long-form scripts to global social campaigns, I ensure every touchpoint is rooted in a narrative that drives real results. I’m a more-is-more, skip-the-small-talk, quick-learning, system-building, "let’s get it done" type of creative. If you’re looking for a partner to elevate your brand's narrative, let's work together.

ShanDenkhaus

PRO

I’ve spent my career at the intersection of "How do we make this look amazing?" and "How do we make this actually work?" Years figuring out how to get people speaking about brands, how to cut through the noise, and how to do more than just post on social media, but to actually participate in the conversation. I believe that the best strategies aren’t just about big budgets, they’re about big ideas that resonate on a human level. That tell a story people don't want to skip. Whether you’re looking to redefine your brand’s culture or need a strategic lead for your next launch, I'm your girl. I help brands: ✨Build Immersive Brand Worlds: creating ecosystems where audiences don’t just consume content, they want to live in it. ✨Act as a Cultural Architect: bridging the gap between where your brand lives and where your audience actually breathes, ensuring you stay relevant in a constantly shifting landscape. ✨Scale Creative Excellence: implementing workflows and systems that allow high-level storytelling to scale without losing its soul. ✨Lead with Impact: from long-form scripts to global social campaigns, I ensure every touchpoint is rooted in a narrative that drives real results. I’m a more-is-more, skip-the-small-talk, quick-learning, system-building, "let’s get it done" type of creative. If you’re looking for a partner to elevate your brand's narrative, let's work together.

Available to hire

I’ve spent my career at the intersection of “How do we make this look amazing?” and “How do we make this actually work?” Years figuring out how to get people speaking about brands, how to cut through the noise, and how to do more than just post on social media, but to actually participate in the conversation.

I believe that the best strategies aren’t just about big budgets, they’re about big ideas that resonate on a human level. That tell a story people don’t want to skip.

Whether you’re looking to redefine your brand’s culture or need a strategic lead for your next launch, I’m your girl.

I help brands:

✨Build Immersive Brand Worlds: creating ecosystems where audiences don’t just consume content, they want to live in it.
✨Act as a Cultural Architect: bridging the gap between where your brand lives and where your audience actually breathes, ensuring you stay relevant in a constantly shifting landscape.
✨Scale Creative Excellence: implementing workflows and systems that allow high-level storytelling to scale without losing its soul.
✨Lead with Impact: from long-form scripts to global social campaigns, I ensure every touchpoint is rooted in a narrative that drives real results.

I’m a more-is-more, skip-the-small-talk, quick-learning, system-building, “let’s get it done” type of creative. If you’re looking for a partner to elevate your brand’s narrative, let’s work together.

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Work Experience

Freelance Creative Director at Freelance
April 1, 2024 - Present
Hired by agencies around the world to concept and run campaigns and help with pitches for new clients
Head of Digital at The Local Project/The Local Production
August 1, 2023 - March 31, 2024
Managed the Digital Team for both The Local Project and its sister agency, The Local Production. As a full-service agency, The Local Production specialises in the creation of content designed to truly elevate brands. Harnessing expert knowledge and skills, they specialise in delivering strategic excellence and creative brilliance. Brands I worked with: Stylecraft, Lowe Living, ForestOne, Fyber, Winter Creek farm, Silvester Fuller, Asko, Form Engineers, Royal Oak
Associate Creative Director at We Are Social
November 1, 2019 - February 28, 2023
We Are Social is a global socially-led creative agency with unrivaled social media expertise. With 1,300 people in 18 offices spanning four continents, they deliver a global perspective to their clients in a time when social media is shaping culture. Making ideas worth talking about. I was part of the creative team and lead editorial creative for Audi Global (the agency's biggest client) and my role included the following: - Creation of creative concepts and strategies - Copywriting, storylines, voiceovers, scripts & in-asset copy - Developed the Tone of Voice for the brand, sub-departments & their collaboration with FC Bayern Munich - Assisted & led studio productions and live event productions - Managed team members, capacity & owned projects - Close collaboration with art department & motion post-production - Worked closely with the client (and other agencies), presenting ideas, discussing reportings & brand development Other brands I worked on: FC Bayern Munich, Ravensburger, AEG, Freeletics, Peak Performance, DKMS, Liebherr Hammer Sport, Mercedes Benz Trucks, Dr Hauschka and more
Senior Content Manger at Social Sweethearts
July 1, 2017 - October 31, 2019
social sweethearts is the largest publisher of customized, family-friendly content and games worldwide. With a data-based publishing strategy and first-class proprietary technologies and platforms the companies projects boast a reach of more than 150 million monthly users - completely organic. - worked in a team producing apost.com (±5million pageviews daily) - specialised in data-driven content research, curation and creation - managing communication within team, in-house processes and optimisation as well as freelancer briefings and communication - assisted on the strategic development of the project and reacting to the ever-changing dynamics of social platforms - testing the development of project onto other social platforms - contact person for communication between tech and content teams - content analysis and analytics - continued optimization of content workflow to reduce lead time of successful content - training and development of new colleagues - project documentation used for detailed analytics, team training, progress tracking, reporting and optimization
Social Media Manager at The Pretty Blog
May 1, 2015 - August 1, 2026
The Pretty Blog is a leading online lifestyle publication for women. What started out as a wedding inspiration hub in June 2010, soon turned into a full-fledged lifestyle platform, inspiring readers from all over the world. The Pretty blog has been featured in numerous national and international publications, appeared on national television and been awarded multiple awards including - Overall best Travel Blog in South Africa 2016 - Overall best photographic Blog in South Africa 2016 - Nominated as one of the Best Wedding Blogs in the World by Bloglovin' 2015 - One of the Top most inspirational blogs in the world (according to Ziwa) - Top 12 wedding blogs in the world (according to Alexa.com) - Best Photography blog at the African Blogger Awards (April 2014) - Highly commended title, for the best International Wedding Blog, at the Wedding Blog Awards in London. (October 2013) Working as the Social Media and Community Manager I: - Managed social media accounts and created social media graphics and copy for daily postings - Increased social media following on all platforms including a 500% increase on Instagram - Developed a social media strategy to increase the following of the company social media and website - Assisted in editorial planning and content concepts
Creative Director at Denk.
January 1, 2026 - Present
We built Denk. to help brands and agencies win on social, without the usual overwhelm. We focus on audience-driven strategy and premium content, with a deep focus on brand building and digital architecture. Think of us as a high-level strategic partner that empowers you and your team. We cut through the digital noise to design clear, intentional frameworks and content engines.

Education

Bachelor of Arts (Humanities) at University of Stellenbosch
January 1, 2008 - December 1, 2010
Commercial Photography at Stellenbosch Academy of Photography and Design
January 1, 2011 - December 1, 2011

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Travel & Hospitality, Consumer Goods, Agriculture & Mining, Retail