Hello, I’m Marcel Witbooi—a Proudly South African Creative from Cape Town who has called Toronto home since 2012. In my two-decade career, I’ve collaborated with some of the most recognizable brands in South Africa and Canada across Automotive, Food & Beverage, Pharma and Broadcast. As a freelance ART DIRECTOR / GRAPHIC DESIGNER / BRAND EXPERT / CREATIVE DIRECTOR, I blend strategic thinking with hands-on design to deliver versatile, award-winning campaigns and branding across diverse industries. I’ve mentored emerging creatives, built diverse rosters of photographers, stylists, designers and illustrators, and continually push for inclusive, high-impact work. I’m excited to bring strong concept development, collaborative leadership and excellent design to every project.…

Marcel Witbooi

PRO

Hello, I’m Marcel Witbooi—a Proudly South African Creative from Cape Town who has called Toronto home since 2012. In my two-decade career, I’ve collaborated with some of the most recognizable brands in South Africa and Canada across Automotive, Food & Beverage, Pharma and Broadcast. As a freelance ART DIRECTOR / GRAPHIC DESIGNER / BRAND EXPERT / CREATIVE DIRECTOR, I blend strategic thinking with hands-on design to deliver versatile, award-winning campaigns and branding across diverse industries. I’ve mentored emerging creatives, built diverse rosters of photographers, stylists, designers and illustrators, and continually push for inclusive, high-impact work. I’m excited to bring strong concept development, collaborative leadership and excellent design to every project.…

Available to hire

Hello, I’m Marcel Witbooi—a Proudly South African Creative from Cape Town who has called Toronto home since 2012. In my two-decade career, I’ve collaborated with some of the most recognizable brands in South Africa and Canada across Automotive, Food & Beverage, Pharma and Broadcast. As a freelance ART DIRECTOR / GRAPHIC DESIGNER / BRAND EXPERT / CREATIVE DIRECTOR, I blend strategic thinking with hands-on design to deliver versatile, award-winning campaigns and branding across diverse industries.

I’ve mentored emerging creatives, built diverse rosters of photographers, stylists, designers and illustrators, and continually push for inclusive, high-impact work. I’m excited to bring strong concept development, collaborative leadership and excellent design to every project.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent
Afrikaans
Advanced

Work Experience

Freelance Creative Director/Art Director/Graphic Designer at NerdSwagger Media
February 7, 2024 - Present
Using my extensive experience and versatile skillset, I'm able to collaborate with my clients to help solve their branding and marketing challenges.
Creative Director at CBC (Canadian Broadcast Corporation)
August 15, 2022 - February 6, 2024
Helped the Associate Creative Directors and Creative teams to create award-winning marketing material ranging from Key art for shows, Promos and Trailers and Experiential campaigns for show launches. One of my key responsibilities was to roll out, across all the business units, the newly Refreshed Brand Guidelines. I was responsible for hiring freelancers and as a member of an underrepresented community, I felt it was important to build a roster of diverse Creative Talent. From Designers and Illustrators to Photographers and stylists. I've offered guidance and mentorship younger Creatives as they navigate the challenges in their careers.
Associate Creative Director at Klick Inc.
October 10, 2017 - August 9, 2022
In the challenging and heavily regulated world of Pharmaceutical Advertising, I've been a Creative Lead on two major Drug Launches for Takeda and Biohaven. I was expected to develop concepts, design marketing materials and websites along with the Tech team. I was a champion for Diversity and a member of The Klicksters of Colour.
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR at Signh & Sons, Cape Town, South Africa
December 1, 2008 - May 14, 2012
After a fruitful stint at BBDO, Oskar and I moved to a smaller promising agency. We worked on numerous local and international brands in the Automotive, Pharma, Fashion and Food and Beverage industries. My responsibilities were: • Creating award-winning, multi platform campaigns • Developing and managing brand guidelines • Nurturing and guiding the talents of younger creatives
JUNIOR TO SENIOR ART DIRECTOR at BBDO, Cape Town, South Africa
August 9, 2004 - December 3, 2007
I joined BBDO as a Senior Graphic Designer but soon after made the move to Art Direction. The opportunity to create concepts for compelling campaigns was an exciting prospect. I took a pay cut and my chance. In my time at BBDO, I partnered with Oskar Petty and we won awards for really meaningful work for us and the agency.
JUNIOR TO SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER at Metropolitan Life, Cape Town, South Africa
April 3, 2000 - July 30, 2004
In my first job out of college, I honed my design skills developing marketing material for the insurance sales force. After four years, my managers suggested that my talents were being wasted and that I should apply for a job in Advertising.

Education

National Diploma, Graphic Design at Cape Peninsula University of Technology
January 1, 1996 - November 1, 1999
National Diploma, Graphic Design at Cape Peninsula University of Technology
January 1, 1996 - January 1, 1999

Qualifications

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Consumer Goods, Software & Internet, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Telecommunications, Other, Financial Services

Skills

Experience Level