Ogilvy SA CEO Pete Case says that the company managed to pivot by deliberately growing this global service unit.

"We quickly took advantage of the fact that you don't need to be in the same room, or even continent, as clients, for you to collaborate on incredible work," says Case.

Case adds, "This has opened us up to an exciting global market, where our adage of borderless creativity has come to life. We have been able to access markets across the globe from here in South Africa using our network."

"What started as spontaneous assistance to other countries a couple of years ago has become a top strategic priority for Ogilvy's global growth and connected culture between markets," says Ogilvy's global CEO Devika Bulchandani.

"South Africa has proven to be a creative and performance powerhouse to the network. Ogilvy plans to leverage SA-based talent to deliver outstanding work for the group's biggest clients while supporting a sustainable cost structure in an increasingly challenging business environment," adds Bulchandani.

Yves Baudechon, global head of Ogilvy C2, content and context, says Ogilvy globally now organically includes the SA hub in almost all new business.

An increasing percentage of Ogilvy SA’s total revenue is now driven by work for clients in places like:
  • New York
  • Paris
  • Amsterdam
  • Brussels
  • Berlin, and
  • London.

This success is a testament to the high standard of work that comes from South Africa, says the agency.

"Ogilvy SA is setting global benchmarks in digital marketing and communications and provides unique opportunities for South African creative talent to build their careers working on exciting local and global brands such as IKEA, Vans, Amazon, Pfizer, Off-White, Coca-Cola and even the European Parliament," says Christophe Chantraine, managing director of Ogilvy C2, content and context.

"We thrive in developing innovative approaches and formats to drive engagement and deliver on brand and performance objectives," adds Chantraine.

"We have successfully blended creativity with technology to generate content personalisation at scale, something that has been hugely sought after by our international clients," Chantraine adds.

Case concludes that expanding the Ogilvy SA creative footprint fully embraces the group's ambition.

For more information, visit www.ogilvy.co.za. You can also follow Ogilvy Africa on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.