In this role, van der Vliet will be responsible for the development of integrated strategies for O&M Cape Town, together with the specialist planners that reside in the agency’s specialist divisions, including Ogilvy Public Relations, Gloo@Ogilvy, Geometry Global, Neo@Ogilvy, Strike Media and Hogarth@Ogilvy.
Van der Vliet says; “I hope to be able to pull all planners and strategists in the business together in a cohesive and vibrant environment. Through leading a truly integrated team, we can be confident that things are considered from all sides and approached with a holistic lens, producing meaningful and effective work on behalf of our clients.”
Born in Holland, van der Vliet grew up in the United States just outside New York City, before completing her studies in London. Upon completing her studies, van der Vliet was offered two jobs – one in advertising and another in management consulting. Van der Vliet initially decided on management consulting before realising she preferred the dynamic world of advertising and making the switch several years later.
After leaving management consulting, she spent time as a freelancer, followed by a year at the Jupiter Drawing Room as a strategic planner. She then spent several years at Brandhouse in their consumer planning and brand strategy team as well as heading up shopper marketing, working on big name alcohol brands such Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Amstel and Windhoek.
Van der Vliet briefly filled the head of strategy role at 34 – a BTL agency specialising in shopper marketing, prior to joining O&M Cape Town. Her role will entail ensuring strategic integration between all disciplines in the O&M Cape Town stable, including above-the-line advertising, digital, PR, activations and social media.
When asked, “Why Ogilvy?” she says simply: “The work, the people, the thinking.”
“I believe that Ogilvy is leading the industry in terms of defining what the ‘agency of the future’ will look like and the value that it can continually deliver for clients,” she says.
"Kristel will play a pivotal role in not only ensuring that we continue to deliver on our Twin Peaks strategy of strategic effectiveness coupled with creative excellence,” says Luca Gallarelli, managing director of O&M Cape Town. “She will also ensure that we deliver integrated thinking that produces meaningful results for our clients. We look forward to having her on our team.”