
NERINE GARDINER
Creative Director / Writer
Meet me.
I like to think.
I like to write.
I like to stand on my hands and read thriller novels. (Not at the same time.)
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I have a few certifications - a Bachelors in Language and Culture from Stellenbosch University where I majored in English and History; a Postgraduate in Copywriting from AAA School of Advertising in Cape Town; and a stint at City Varsity where I finished an Intro to Web Design course and vowed I would never again touch the backend of a website. Or any other backend. Until I became a mom. Cue diaper mountains and vomit in my eyeball.
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Long before that, I started my copywriting career in South Africa. 10 years later I packed up my family and moved to Dubai to pursue my lifelong dream of not getting shot.
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From there it was a fast path to Associate CD and then Creative Director on some of the world's biggest brands until, a few years later, I was charmed by the idea of selling sleep for a German tech in Portugal.
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My life novel has been quite a read. Looking forward to the next plot twist.
CLIENT LIST
FINANCE:
Mastercard
FNB Private Banking, Business Banking, Consumer Banking
Stanlib
Capitec
Emirates NBD
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FURNITURE:
Home Centre
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LUXURY TOURISM & REAL ESTATE:
Nakheel - The View at The Palm
Atlantis The Royal
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INSURANCE:
Liberty
Bryte Insurance (internal)
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AUTOMOTIVE:
Toyota
Lexus
OnStar
FMCG:
Tiger Brands
Puck
Nestle
PHARMA & HEALTH:
Adcock Ingrams
MyLife Healthcare Centre
Donner Sang Compter
E-COMMERCE:
Yuppiechef
Emma Sleep
TELCO:
Vodacom
GOVERNMENT:
Eskom
Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum Global Initiatives
EDUCATION:
Unisa
DINING:
Mugg & Bean
McDonald's
Spur Group
ALCOHOL:
Distell
FASHION/RETAIL:
Puma
Babyshop
CONSTRUCTION:
BLC Plant Company
Craft Capital Partners
TECHNOLOGY:
Digicape - Apple Resellers
JEWELLERY:
Winhall & de Stadler
Sterns
TV SERIES:
Liefste Kayla (kykNet TV show)
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PAINT:
Jotun Paints
AWARDS JURY
2017 Pendoring Awards
2019 Loerie Awards
2020 Loerie Awards
2021 Loerie Awards
2023 Loerie Awards
AWARDS
Cannes
2023 9x Shortlists for radio, entertainment for music, media, health and wellness (Frequencies of Peace)
2023 Bronze (Radio and Audio: Frequencies of Peace)
2023 Bronze (Media: Frequencies of Peace)
2023 Bronze (Entertainment for Music: Frequencies of Peace)
2020/2021 8x Shortlists
2020/2021 Bronze Brand Experience (Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
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WARC Awards for Effectiveness
2020/2021 Silver (Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
2020/2021 Best Promotional Idea (Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
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Effies (Effectiveness Awards)
2021 Gold for Marketing Innovation Solutions (Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
2021 Silver for Brand Experience: Live, AR/VR/Digital (Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
2021 Silver for Ecommerce (Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
2021 Silver for Social Media (MBRGI - Mars Shot)
2021 Silver for Brand Integration and Entertainment (MBRGI - Mars Shot)
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MadStars Awards
2023 Gold (Frequencies of Peace)
2023 Bronze (Frequencies of Peace)
2023 Crystal (Frequencies of Peace)
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Marketing Society Awards​
2023 Winner of Brand Communication (McDonald's x Mastercard - Tap to the good part)
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EPICA AWARDS
2021 Gold (Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
2021 Silver (Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
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AdStar Awards
2020 4 x Gold (Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
2020 4 x Silver (Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
2020 Bronze (Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
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Gerety Awards
2020 Experience Cut Silver (Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
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D&AD
2020 Shortlist (Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
New York Festivals Advertising Awards
2023 Gold (Frequencies of Peace)
2020 3x Gold (Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
2020 Silver (Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
2020 Bronze (Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
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New York Festivals AMEs (Marketing Effectiveness)
2020 Gold (Mastercard Astronomical Sales Best Use of Promotion)
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Lynx Awards
2024 Bronze (Entertainment: Babyshop Frequencies of Peace)
2024 Gold (Radio & Audio: Babyshop Frequencies of Peace)
2024 Grand Prix (Media/use of audio platforms: Babyshop Frequencies of Peace)
2021 x5 Bronze (Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
2021 Bronze (Radio Campaign: Babyshop Big Messes)
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Loerie Awards
2015 Silver (Tassenberg branded content radio)
2020 Grand Prix (Mastercard Astronomical Sales - integrated)
2020 Gold (Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
2020 Silver (Radio Campaign: Babyshop Big Messes)
2020 Ranked #3 Copywriter in Middle East and Africa
2021 Gold for Creative Effectiveness (Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
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The Caples Awards
2021 Gold (Creative Use of Data: Mastercard, Astronomical Sales)
2021 Silver (Digital B to C: Mastercard, Astronomical Sales)
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Clio Awards
2011 Bronze (Vodacom print)
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The One Show
2021 2x Merit (Creative Effectiveness: Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
2021 Gold (Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
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PHNX Awards
2020 (Integrated Media / 360 Campaign: Mastercard Astronomical Sales)
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South Africa's Best Loved Ads
2012 (Toyota Fortuner TVC)
2017 (Mugg & Bean TVC)
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Pendorings
2012 Silver (ToyotaCare radio)
2013 Gold (Toyota radio)
2013 Grand Prix (Toyota radio)
2014 Silver (Tassenberg integrated campaign)
2014 Silver (Tassenberg digital and interactive
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Assegais
2011 Leader (Vodacom print)
2014 Silver (Tassenberg branded content radio)
2014 Silver (Tassenberg most effective use of content)
2014 Leader (Tassenberg branded content)
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Creative Circle Ad of the Month
2011 Bronze (Vodacom print)
2012 Silver (Toyota radio)
2012 Silver (ToyotaCare radio)
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Orchids
2012 (Toyota Innova TVC)
2017 (Mugg & Bean TVC)
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