Brand consultant and account manager with 20+ years of experience delivering integrated branding, marketing and advertising solutions. Skilled in brand strategy, client relationship management, creative direction and campaign delivery across agency and consultancy environments. Founder of an independent branding consultancy, leading end-to-end projects including strategy, design, copywriting, budgeting and integrated marketing campaigns, while managing long-term client partnerships and delivery.

Gary Dolley Cottam

Brand consultant and account manager with 20+ years of experience delivering integrated branding, marketing and advertising solutions. Skilled in brand strategy, client relationship management, creative direction and campaign delivery across agency and consultancy environments. Founder of an independent branding consultancy, leading end-to-end projects including strategy, design, copywriting, budgeting and integrated marketing campaigns, while managing long-term client partnerships and delivery.

Available to hire

Brand consultant and account manager with 20+ years of experience delivering integrated branding, marketing and advertising solutions. Skilled in brand strategy, client relationship management, creative direction and campaign delivery across agency and consultancy environments.

Founder of an independent branding consultancy, leading end-to-end projects including strategy, design, copywriting, budgeting and integrated marketing campaigns, while managing long-term client partnerships and delivery.

See more

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Founder & Brand Consultant at 5 O'Clock Shadow
October 1, 2020 - Present
Founded and manage an independent branding consultancy delivering strategy, branding, design, copywriting and integrated marketing campaigns. Responsible for client relationship management, budgets and end-to-end project delivery.
Founder & Brand Consultant at 5 0'Clock Shadow
October 1, 2020 - Present
Founded and led brand consulting services, meeting with clients to discuss objectives and develop effective brand solutions. Responsibilities included competitor analysis to plan marketing campaigns, shaping the customer service experience to improve retention, liaising with client marketing teams to devise brand and advertising strategies, conceptualising and designing brand identity visuals, creating and copywriting campaign artwork, presenting campaign ideas and budgets, briefing media, and managing ongoing client-agency communication to ensure successful campaign execution and repeat business.
Account Manager at ODA Advertising
May 1, 2018 - September 1, 2020
Managed the company's most important account, liaising with clients to identify advertising requirements and acting as the liaison between the client, marketing teams, and agency to devise campaigns that meet briefs and budgets. Presented campaign ideas and costing, briefed media and creative teams, and helped formulate marketing strategies. Maintained regular client communication, conducted client brainstorms, and prepared presentations for approval. Handled budgets, monitored spend, and produced competitor analysis reports.
Account Executive at ODA Advertising
July 3, 2017 - May 1, 2018
Assisted the Key Account Director in managing the company’s key account, coordinating with clients to identify advertising requirements. Served as conduit between the client, marketing teams, and the agency studio/creative director to devise campaigns. Assisted in presenting ideas and costing, briefing media and creatives, and supporting strategy formulation. Maintained client relationships, prepared presentations, and supported budgeting and invoicing tasks.
Account Executive at Headlines Advertising Solutions
January 2, 2006 - June 30, 2017
Liaised with clients to discuss and identify advertising requirements; worked with studio and marketing teams to devise campaigns; presented ideas and budgets; briefed media; managed client communications; prepared presentations and pitches for new business.
DTP Operator at Headlines Advertising Solutions
July 5, 2004 - January 2, 2006
Produced layouts for publications; formatted text and columns; selected colours; edited photographs; produced graphics and diagrams; ensured readability and uncluttered design.
DTP Operator at Flagship Communications
May 5, 2003 - June 30, 2004
Worked to a design brief, producing layouts for publications; managing type, colours, image editing, and graphic elements; ensuring legibility and cohesive page design.

Education

Bachelor of Marketing Administration: Marketing Management And Research at IMM - Durban
January 1, 2014 - July 1, 2020
Diploma: Marketing Management at Varsity College
February 1, 2011 - June 1, 2011
Graphic & Advertising Design Certificate at Intec College
January 1, 2008 - July 1, 2008
Adobe Photoshop CS Certificate at Intec College
January 1, 2008 - July 1, 2008
Comprehensive Desktop Publishing & Computer Graphics Certificate at Hirt & Carter
January 1, 2003 - April 1, 2003
Social Media Marketing Course at Digital School of Marketing - Johannesburg
February 1, 2021 - September 1, 2022
Bachelor of Marketing Administration: Marketing Management And Research at IMM - Durban
January 1, 2014 - July 1, 2020
Diploma: Marketing Management at Varsity College
February 1, 2011 - June 1, 2011
Graphic & Advertising Design Certificate at Intec College
January 1, 2008 - July 1, 2008
Adobe Photoshop CS Certificate at Intec College
January 1, 2008 - July 1, 2008
Comprehensive Desktop Publishing & Computer Graphics Certificate at Hirt & Carter
January 1, 2003 - April 1, 2003
Social Media Marketing Course at Digital School of Marketing - Johannesburg
February 1, 2021 - September 1, 2022
Bachelor of Marketing Administration: Marketing Management And Research at IMM - Durban
January 1, 2014 - July 1, 2020
Diploma: Marketing Management at Varsity College
February 1, 2011 - June 1, 2011
Graphic & Advertising Design Certificate at Intec College
January 1, 2008 - July 1, 2008
Adobe Photoshop CS Certificate at Intec College
January 1, 2008 - July 1, 2008
Comprehensive Desktop Publishing & Computer Graphics Certificate at Hirt & Carter
January 1, 2003 - April 1, 2003
Social Media Marketing Course at Digital School of Marketing - Johannesburg
February 1, 2021 - September 1, 2022
Bachelor of Marketing Administration: Marketing Management And Research at IMM - Durban
January 1, 2014 - July 1, 2020
Diploma: Marketing Management at Varsity College
February 1, 2011 - June 1, 2011
Graphic & Advertising Design Certificate at Intec College
January 1, 2008 - July 1, 2008
Adobe Photoshop CS Certificate at Intec College
January 1, 2008 - July 1, 2008
Comprehensive Desktop Publishing & Computer Graphics Certificate at Hirt & Carter
January 1, 2003 - April 1, 2003
Social Media Marketing Course at Digital School of Marketing - Johannesburg
February 1, 2021 - September 1, 2022
Bachelor of Marketing Administration: Marketing Management And Research at IMM - Durban
January 1, 2014 - July 1, 2020
Diploma: Marketing Management at Varsity College
February 1, 2011 - June 1, 2011
Graphic & Advertising Design Certificate at Intec College
January 1, 2008 - July 1, 2008
Adobe Photoshop CS Certificate at Intec College
January 1, 2008 - July 1, 2008
Comprehensive Desktop Publishing & Computer Graphics Certificate at Hirt & Carter
January 1, 2003 - April 1, 2003
Bachelor of Marketing Administration at IMM Graduate School
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Social Media Marketing at Digital School of Marketing
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Diploma in Marketing Management at Varsity College
January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011

Qualifications

Diploma: Marketing Management
February 1, 2011 - June 1, 2011
Adobe Photoshop CS Certificate
January 1, 2008 - July 1, 2008
Graphic & Advertising Design Certificate
January 1, 2008 - July 1, 2008
Comprehensive Desktop Publishing & Computer Graphics Certificate
January 1, 2003 - April 1, 2003
Graphic & Advertising Design Certificate
January 1, 2008 - July 1, 2008
Adobe Photoshop CS Certificate
January 1, 2008 - July 1, 2008
Adobe Photoshop CS Certificate
January 1, 2008 - July 1, 2008
Graphic & Advertising Design Certificate
January 1, 2008 - July 1, 2008
Comprehensive Desktop Publishing & Computer Graphics Certificate
January 1, 2003 - April 1, 2003
Comprehensive Desktop Publishing & Computer Graphics Certificate
January 1, 2003 - April 1, 2003
Graphic & Advertising Design Certificate
January 1, 2008 - July 1, 2008
Adobe Photoshop CS Certificate
January 1, 2008 - July 1, 2008
Diploma: Marketing Management
February 1, 2011 - June 1, 2011
Bachelor of Marketing Administration: Marketing Management And Research
January 1, 2014 - July 1, 2020
Social Media Marketing Course
February 1, 2021 - September 1, 2022
Graphic & Advertising Design Certificate
January 1, 2008 - July 1, 2008
Adobe Photoshop CS Certificate
January 1, 2008 - July 1, 2008
Comprehensive Desktop Publishing & Computer Graphics Certificate
January 1, 2003 - April 1, 2003
Graphic & Advertising Design Certificate
January 11, 2030 - July 22, 2026
Adobe Photoshop Certificate
January 11, 2030 - July 22, 2026
Desktop Publishing Certificate
January 11, 2030 - July 22, 2026
Graphic & Advertising Design Certificate
January 11, 2030 - July 22, 2026
Adobe Photoshop Certificate
January 11, 2030 - July 22, 2026
Desktop Publishing Certificate
January 11, 2030 - July 22, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Other, Retail, Software & Internet