Thabiso Junior Ntuli – Creative Director – Cape Town
About
A passionate creative with over a decade of experience shaping ideas for some of the world’s most innovative and culturally relevant brands. Skilled in concept, craft, and strategic thinking, Thabiso thrives at the intersection of culture and craft, driven to tell African stories that resonate and inspire.
Employment
Black Creative Network
Founder, Creative Director
Award-winning Creative Director with ten years’ industry experience. Founded Black Creative Network to champion representation, mentor emerging talent, and push agencies and clients toward meaningful, inclusive work.
March 2025 – Present
Iconic Agency
Creative Director
As Creative Director, I lead the development and execution of visual and strategic storytelling across brand, digital, social, and experiential platforms. Partnering with clients, strategists, and creative teams, I translate insights into culturally relevant campaigns and identities that are both purposeful and precise.
My role spans from defining creative direction and design systems to ensuring every touchpoint reflects a brand’s vision and values. With a background in design and a deep connection to culture, I bring clarity to complex challenges—turning ambition into distinctive creative work that connects, moves, and endures.
I currently lead projects for NBA Africa, Red Bull South Africa, Netflix South Africa, and ASICS South Africa, shaping their presence across the continent through bold, locally grounded, and meaningful creative.
June 2024 – Present
VMLY&R
Creative Group Head
Led teams in developing and delivering creative solutions across content and large-scale campaigns. Oversaw execution, team management, and creative approvals.
January 2023 – May 2024
VMLY&R
Senior Art Director
Created purpose-driven campaigns including Google Africa’s #LookMeUp and Hollard Insurance’s ChangeMakers. Successfully launched Stretton’s Gin; a premium gin distilled and bottled in South Africa.
November 2021 – January 2023
Leo Burnett
Senior Art Director
Worked on flagship brands Old Mutual and Visa. Highlights include Abantu Abafani; a through-the-line campaign with Tshepo “The Jean Maker” and Visa’s official AFCON campaign launched across Africa.
September 2020 – October 2021
FoxP2
Art Director
Delivered work for Tiger Brands, Nat Geo Kids, and Mediclinic. Contributed to impactful COVID-19 communications including #SaSalutes, a national tribute to healthcare workers.
April 2020 – June 2020
King James
Art Director
Contributed to campaigns for Netflix, Spotify, Budweiser, Johnnie Walker, Pick n Pay, Santam, Sanlam, and more. Active in company culture, mentored interns, ran the agency football team, and organised cultural initiatives.
January 2016 – April 2020
Publicis Machine
Under The Hood Graduate Programme
I was part of the “Publicis Machine – Under The Hood” Graduate programme where we were tasked to conceptualise ideas under pressure while competing against various teams of industry graduates. My role was lead Art Director and my team was chosen as winners. The prize included an internship programme at Publicis Machine.
October 2015 – October 2015
FoxP2
Intern Art Director
When interning at FoxP2Labs, I worked on live briefs. Brands I worked on include SterKinekor, the “DriveDry” campaign, and Captain Morgan.
June 2015 – October 2015
Selected Publications
Google Creative Lab
Featured in Creative Talent: Africa Google Creative Lab
2022
Counter-Print UK
From Africa
2022
Awards
Creative Circle
2nd Film – Ad Of The Month – December – RedBull Hotlap Heist
2024
IAB Bookmark Awards
Bronze – Excellence in Craft – Strategy – Hollard ChangeMaker
2023
IAB Bookmark Awards
Silver – Organic Search Marketing – Google #LookMeUp
2023
The Loeries
Finalist – Young Creatives
2022
The Loeries
Bronze – Service Design – Hollard ChangeMaker
2022
Creative Circle
1st Print – Annual Awards – Nat Geo Kids ‘Second Closest To Nature’
2020
The Loeries
Bronze – Print Advertising – Nat Geo Kids ‘Second Closest To Nature’
2020
Creative Circle
1st Print – Ad of The Month – May – Nat Geo Kids ‘Second Closest To Nature’
2020
Behance
Advertising Feature – Wise 4 Afrika Consent Whatsapp Campaign
2019
The Loeries
Finalist – Live Events – Mowgli 3D Cinema
2019
African Cristal Festival
Silver – BetChaeliCant
2018
Creative Circle
Silver – Ad of The Month – BetChaeliCant
2018
Best Ads on TV
Feature – Experiential – BetChaeliCant
2018
Advertising Health
Feature – Ad of The Week – BetChaeliCant
2018
The Loeries
Silver – Digital Craft – Santam Incubator
2017
The Loeries
Bronze – Service Design – Santam Incubator
2017
The Loeries
Craft – Digital & Interactive Communication: Use of Technology – Santam Incubator
2017
Hiii Illustration International Competition
Merit Award
2014
Education
Stellenbosch Academy
Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication
Major: Art Direction (with Distinction)
Minor: Design & Illustration
Part-time lecturer: taught first-years fundamentals of lateral thinking
January 2013 – December 2015
Languages
English (Native)
Zulu (Conversational)
Afrikaans (Conversational)
Skills
Adobe Creative Suite / AI Tools ( Midjourney, ChatGPT, Claude) / Final Cut Pro / FL Studio / Google Workspace / Framer / Figma / Affinity