Alves started his career as a creative in 1990 when he joined Ogilvy. A few years later he moved to the top creative agency at the time, TBWA\Hunt Lascaris, where he worked with Tony Granger, an inspirational visionary who’s been leading a creative renaissance at Y&R as the global chief creative officer since 2008.

After an additional two years at Net#work BBDO, Alves put his cross-cultural skills to work, seeking opportunities to break advertising conventions overseas. He challenged the norm at Eisner Communications in Baltimore (Maryland, USA) and TBWA\Chiat\Day in Los Angeles ahead of settling down to start a family back in South Africa as ECD at Lowe Bull.

The prominent brands influenced and shaped by Alves’ inherent artistic and innovative talent include, amongst others Axe, BMW, Medal Paints, Nike, Nando’s, Standard Bank, Adcock Ingram, SAA, Savannah Cider and Investec. There are few brand categories that Alves hasn't had exposure to.

Lang referred to Alves’ enviable collection of local and international accolades as outstanding. The list includes Loeries, Cannes Lions, Clio’s, D&AD, One Show, New York Festivals, London International Advertising Awards, local and national Addy’s, Creative Circle Ad of the Year Awards and numerous Ad of the Month awards. He expressed, “The scores of awards Alves has achieved over the years is testament to his creative excellence. Furthermore, he’s served on the judging panels of the Loeries and Creative Circle, and is a member of the Creative Circle EXCO. He’s well respected in the industry, exuding a passion and imagination that’s guaranteed to reinvigorate our team.
I’m really excited about working with him to fire up powerful and remarkable ideas that inform and influence every narrative, every platform and every experience our clients’ brands have with their customers.”

Commenting on the appointment, Granger said, “I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some of the most talented people in the business. They all have this in common: they love this business, they are prolific, and they are driven by a desire to be the best. This certainly describes Alves and I know he will be a potent driving force at Y&R.”