GARETH PIKE CV

DOB - 20 12 74
Passport - EU / South African
Married - Yes
Bas - Cape Town, South Africa
Cell - (+27) 082 828 2566
Email - gareth6pike@yahoo.com
Website - www.pikecommunication.co.za

COPYWRITING OVERVIEW

After completing a postgrad Diploma in Copywriting (AAA, 1996), I proceeded to work full-time in six different advertising agencies or companies, gaining extensive TTL experience on web, retail, b2b communications and top brands, from Mr Price and Johnnie Walker to the Peace Parks Foundation. In 2008, I began working as an Independent Contractor for various companies, and in 2009 I launched my own small company, www.pikecommunication.co.za.

EDITORIAL OVERVIEW

After completing a B.A. in History and English (UKZN, 1995), I began writing freelance articles and reviews, and have since had work published in The Natal Witness, SL, House & Leisure, GQ, One Small Seed, I-jusi, Funk, Transnet One, Top Companies, Country Life, Impumelelo and Independent on Saturday. Since 2006,      I have been a regular book and DVD reviewer for the Sunday Times, along with providing some travel & lifestyle pieces. I’ve been a corporate editor for Euphony (UK) and Topco Media, and a freelance editor on Unilever Network, Drake & Scull FM and its subsidiary DSVH.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

2009
1. Retainers
Modern Museum, Durban: TTL work on all divisions of the Mr Price Group.
Ad Lab, Tygerberg: BTL and web work on MSP Group property developments.
2. Own company www.pikecommunication.co.za
Clients have included Inoui Designs (Bahrain), Science, Flaime, Altech Isis, Topco Media, Cape Union Mart, Agile Solutions, DSVH, Cohoots, Redwood Design, Roots, Speak, Esse, Mikateko, Summit Networks, Troyounce.

August 2008 - December 2008
Freelance ATL contract - JWT Cape Town
April 2008 – August 2008
Retainer -  Topco Media, Cape Town
March 2007 – March 2008
Senior BTL Copywriter – King James RSVP, Cape Town
2004 – 2007
Head of Copy - Modern Museum Communications, Durban
May 2003 - December 2003
Senior Copywriter & Editor - Euphony Communication, Reading, UK
February 2002 - December 2002
Senior Copywriter - Ogilvy & Mather KZN, Durban
August 1997 – December 2001
Junior to Mid-level Copywriter - IT.I., Durban, S.A.

SKILLS

• 360’ versatility
• Consistent delivery
• Creative catalyst for others
• Creative direction
• Have led teams of juniors
• Confident with presentations
• Highly organised
•Specialised in writing high-priority business or governmental letters

REFERENCES

Van Fletcher
Head of Marketing, Topco Media, Hout Bay
van.fletcher@topco.co.za
0027 082 3311158

Mark Stead
Deputy Creative Director, King James RSVP Cape Town
mark@kingjames.co.za
0027 21 4653511

Torsten Fehsenfeld
Co-partner, Roots Communication
torsten@roots.co.za
0027 082 2179777

PUBLISHED IN PRINT
Sunday Times Magazine, Lifestyle & Travel
Country Life
One Small Seed
SL
House & Leisure
Natal Witness
GQ
I-jusi
Funk magazine
Top 500
Impumemelo

WORK ONLINE
www.summitnet.co.za
www.herbology.co.za
www.kulula.com
www.johnniewalker.co.za
www.poetrylounge.org
www.caples.org
www.hangten.co.za
www.thetimes.co.za
www.bylsbridge.com
www.2oceansvibe.com
www.blogs.iol.co.za
www.freelancentral.co.za