Rachael Du Plessis

I currently have a hybrid group role at VML/Landor EMEA, whereby, for the former, I am responsible for the commercial side of business growth, onboarding new clients and running our large-scale regional (EMEA) projects.

For Landor, I run their pan-African client portfolio and support them in identifying and securing additional regional opportunities. My role with Landor, is not only client-centric, I am also integral in structuring proposals so that they are commercially viable to both client and agency, while incorporating the integration of specialist skills across the combined group resources within the EMEA region (with the challenge of the widely differing commercial rates across the regions).

The biggest highlight of my current role last year, was the successful retention of our biggest joint venture between VML (then The Hardy Boys) and Landor, leading to us becoming the client's preferred supplier for their entire re-brand project and subsequent communication campaigns - so, delivering the end-to-end solution of brand inception through to go-to market.

This year, my highlight has already been doubling my annual stretch target by 100%, by June, due to successfully scoping, proposing and running a number of key regional projects - with a healthy pipeline also secured for H2.

I spent 8 months at C-Suite (TTL start-up agency) in a consultatory role helping to establish their systems and processes, negotiating all of their retainer accounts for that year, onboarding and growing their client relationships and training the client service team. I successfully negotiated their three largest retainers on FMCG clients during my time there, as well as designed templates and systems to fast-track a small team.

Business Partner on the Takealot Group Portfolio (Takealot, Superbalist, Mr D)

Partnering with the client teams to identify the strategic needs within their businesses, from brand building, helping to grow trust in online retail, and launching all promotional activity in differentiated, strategically solid and stand-out creative.

I was responsible for managing the entire group's marketing budget, from media to production, ensuring the profitability within the agency and was privileged to celebrate the client's most commercially successful year to date during my time with them.

Initially specialising in social media and ultimately running their whole social media business unit as Head of Client Service & Operations, I drove the integration of social into the main agency ensuring that we were thinking 'digital first' rather than merely amplification. I was later invited to run the rebranding of Pick n Pay in 2016 and responsible for the regional execution of their new brand experience in-store and online.

Account lead for a BTL boutique design agency. activities included digital comms, brochures, events and website design.

Brought the Ferrero business over with me from the UK.

Project lead on the SEO and SEM for Nestlé.com, KPMG, Orange and white-labelling on several AKQA clients.