HaveYouHeard, a communications agency with offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town and London, is gearing for further growth with several major appointments and promotions.

Dan Berkowitz has joined as Group Executive Creative Director, Victoria Gabler as Head of Integrated Execution, Jon Savage as Head of Content and Platforms, Carl Booysen as Head of Production and Claudia Schonitz as Head of Insights and Consumer Research. In addition, two new business unit managers have been appointed: Kylie Janssen and Ian McNair.

Making the announcement, co-founder Jason Stewart said the agency had recently been appointed to work with several brands locally, such as Old Mutual, and internationally, most recently as the influencer agency-on-record for the luxury beverage brands in the Martell Mumm Perrier-Jouët (MMPJ) stable.

Growth and Skill

This had necessitated rapid upscaling of the agency’s skills set and a restructuring to ensure it continued to create innovative ideas that are absolutely relevant to what’s happening in consumer markets right now. He said he was impressed and delighted with the new team.

A graduate from the Red & Yellow Creative School of Business, Berkowitz cut his teeth at Hyground Marketing & Advertising Communications working alongside South African advertising legends Brian Searle-Tripp and Bob Rightford before founding SALE, the creative arm of both Amperzand and Grey Cape Town. Following stints in London and India, he returned to Cape Town where he joined King James as Creative Director and Head of Integration before opening Arcade Africa and then moving to HaveYouHeard.

Gabler has over 17years’ industry experience, starting out in traditional agencies and moving into project management in the early days of experiential work and dark marketing. She’s worked on some of the country’s most iconic brands and client including Distell, KWV, Nandos, Vodacom, and internationally on clients like Coca Cola, L’Oreal, Cuervo, Smirnoff, and Nespresso.

One of a handful of South African directors to feature at the Cannes film festival, Savage has been in content production across multiple media facets from 5FM DJ to commercials director, and from TV series to feature films. He’s also the creator of award-winning digital content platforms, such the Mashlab and the Eye, and the winner of the SXSW Digital Broadcast Innovation of 2018.

Schonitz’s consumer insights experience started at Old Mutual Properties, was followed by seven years at Kantar TNS research agency and five years on the Pernod Ricard Consumer Insights team. She has worked extensively in both quantitative and qualitative methodologies where her recent focus has been on identify business opportunities led by insights gathered through consumer, online and other various data sources.

Experienced producer Booysen has a Masters Degree in Motion Picture Production, as well as an extensive list of TV commercials, branded content campaigns and TV series under his belt.  He’s worked with an impressive array of local and international film companies, including a 7 year stint at Moonlighting Film Production Services and 3 years heading up the Content Production Company, Thread.

Development from Within

“Our new business unit managers are also welcome additions to the HaveYouheard team,” added Stewart. “Their role includes driving the overall operational and leadership culture of their teams, and offering cutting edge strategies, innovation, and services to current and prospective clients.

“Along with this, the role focuses on people development, client relationship management, and resource planning – Kylie with her ability to create memorable brand moments for her clients, and Ian with his diverse experience including all aspects of the music industry and eventing will make a positive impact on both HaveYouHeard’s business and those of its clients.”

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