Johannesburg, February 2021: Marketing and brand experience experts, CWDi, have joined forces with leading Creative Consultant Ahmed Tilly, as they reposition the agency to offer a full through the line service.
Ahmed Tilly is an established creative problem solver with 25 years of experience in advertising agencies, often referred to in the industry as “Mr Nando’s”, due to the award-winning Nando’s campaigns he created in 14 countries around the world. He has judged the Loeries for close to two decades and has also served on international award panels including both the Cannes Lions and New York festivals.

Craig Naicker, Group Managing Director at CWDi says, “The repositioning of CWDi was a natural progression for us. We have built a reputable foundation in the brand agency space, with amazing long-standing clients. So, the question we asked ourselves was, ‘how can we be better for our clients and their customers?’ The answer was simple: increase our service offerings and ensure that we continue to place our clients and their customers at the centre of our creative solutions. Ahmed is an industry heavyweight; well-known and well respected in his craft. He shares the same vision as us. And that is to create work that changes lives for the better”.

Lesley Waterkeyn, Founder and Vice-Chairman at CWDi adds, “We are extremely excited to have Ahmed join CWDi. He is a creative problem solver with a wealth of experience in advertising agencies. He brings such depth of knowledge, creativity and credibility to our team”.

“Strategically, it is our vision to be a global agency, inspiring connections, and with this partnership we plan to accelerate the fulfilment of that vision,” adds Group Experiences Director, Samantha Gabriel.
“As an agency, we are more focused on client and agency chemistry than on a specific industry sector. We are firm believers in the power of creativity and connections and we aim to solve any business challenges with creative solutions – no matter what the industry. Ahmed’s experience lends itself to thought leadership in a number of different sectors,” says CEO Janine Kruger.

Naicker adds, “As we continue to grow into the through the line space, we are going to really look at challenging our clients’ briefs with Ahmed driving the creative process. When you become brand custodians, it’s critical that you are able to have robust discussions with your clients to ensure you are delivering on their objectives. Ahmed’s ability to be strategic while being creative in an ever-changing customer landscape speaks volumes. When you look at all of these attributes, it speaks to one thing – brands trust him”.

On his vision for moving CWDi forward, Ahmed Tilly says, “I would love to see CWDi become a through the line agency that offers incredible creative solutions to business problems that are not limited to any media, whether it’s digital, a TV ad or anything else.

“I’ll be looking at engaging the types of clients that are looking for a partner who will be able to find them solutions they are not able to find in their boardrooms. Initially, I’d like to focus on the clients CWDi has and maintain those relationships. CWDi has fantastic rapport with their clients. I would love to tap into that trust and open them up to solutions that they may not have seen CWDi initially being able to offer them”.

Tilly concludes, “CWDi is an agency that has the burning desire to be the best it can be. It is constantly moving forward and has a powerful ongoing drive to be better. The agency has a wide range of capabilities and people who care about their clients’ business. I am really looking forward to being part of the team”.