Born in 2006 under the visionary leadership of Shaun Brickell, Umlilo Brands has experienced organic growth that has resulted in the organisation expanding its service offering from basic marketing and advertising campaigns, concept and development that it initially opened its doors with, to the turnkey marketing solutions service provider that it is today. These relatively recent beginnings belie the wealth of collective experience and skill housed within Umlilo Brands.

 

Such phenomenal development is only possible with a dynamic, youthful team that believes in taking the mundane and making it exceptional. Mediocrity does not have a role within a team that tackles each marketing challenge head-on with a creative solution that is tailor-made for every budget. No task is too big or too small for the team that owns the mantra, “igniting the creative flame within you” (Umlilo is the Zulu word for fire).

 

With offices in Johannesburg and Durban, Umlilo Brands can manage and execute any project within our borders and beyond.

 

Any businesses looking for a strategic alliance with a creative, passionate and highly efficient marketing team will experience harmony and satisfaction through the Umlilo Brands service excellence, project after project.

 

Umlilo Brands: intelligent insight; creative inspiration.

 

 

Working Methodology

Every client and project is approached with a strategic methodology that underpins all our interaction and delivery.

  

Since 2006, Shaun has been at the helm of Umlilo Brands as the managing director. Masterfully dividing his time between the Johannesburg and Durban offices, Shaun continues to direct and support a team of competent individuals on both a strategic and operational level. Never one to steer away from a hands-on approach, Shaun is always available to impart his expertise and advice to clients and attends all shows and exhibitions including some of the more notable; Indaba (since 2001), Soccerex 2009, The Rand Show, to mention a few. This engenders an uplifting team spirit which is widely sought after on large projects.

 

Shaun has a widely varied career that spans more than 18 years and includes periods within the music and film industry; sales and marketing as well as advertising. Particularly, Shaun has been the managing director of two other advertising agencies, Imago Advertising (2000 – 2003) and Zero Degrees Advertising (2003 – 2006), before his current role. This experience has held him in good stead as he continues to make an indelible impact within the competitive activation / branding / advertising arena.

Armed with a diploma in project management, Warren has been a formidable force within the advertising and exhibitions and events industry. With a solid track record and work experience gained over the past 8 years, Warren has been operationally involved in prestigious shows such as Indaba, Supersport Show, Gardenex, Franchise and Business Expo, to mention a few. His logical thought processes married with a keen understanding of the operational requirements and execution of exhibitions and events make him a strong operations director, his current position at Umlilo Brands.

 

Warren also has a keen understanding of financial management, to ensure that each budget is maintained to the strictest accounting procedures. He duly executes his operational responsibilities with admirable calm and professionalism to deliver seamless, efficient exhibition management solutions to every client, every time.

Robyn has a keen understanding of marketing principles, public relations and communications, branding and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that she is able to manage and execute a wide variety of marketing projects. This experience, coupled with solid writing skills and strategic insights, offer her the opportunity to play a role in new business development.

 

To date, her work experience includes a period as client service director at Two Tone Strategic Branding and Design; activations director at the Wisdom Keys Group – one of South Africa’s largest multi-dimensional consulting groups; senior consultant at Meropa Communications as well as deputy team leader of Creative Spirit Communications (a joint venture between Meropa Communications and Welcome Msomi PR created to service the SABC account). She has also worked on a wide variety of accounts including South African Tourism; South African Breweries (SAB); South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC); 2010 FIFA World Cup™ LOC; MultiChoice Africa; and African Rainbow Minerals (ARM), to mention a few.

With his foundational work experience in sales, Ryan moved into the exhibition management field, initially as a sales representative and over an almost 10 year period, has been upwardly mobile gaining a wide range of experience and skill from several marketing portfolios. From working on and managing large shows such as The Rand Show; House and Garden Show; Indaba; and Auto Africa; to progressing to general managerial positions and finally following his passion for multimedia, Ryan has amassed practical experience that is essential within the organisation. As head of the multimedia division and a director at Umlilo Brands, he excels in bringing client products and brands to life within this dynamic sphere.

 

Ryan has made, and continues to make, a favourable impression with both staff and clients alike. His affable manner and creative insights are an added value strength.  He has a BCom majoring in marketing, business economics and sports events from the University of Pretoria.

Proficient, methodical and organised. These are just some of the words used to describe Nikki who, in her role as account manager, is responsible for the day to day running of various projects and client business. Her varied exposure to sales and marketing, fashion and event management have given her the expertise necessary to take a direct approach to each piece of business.

 

Having worked on projects / accounts such as the African Cup of Nations Congress 2010; the 2007 and 2008 Indaba (Tourism Exhibition); the 2007 and 2008 SA Open Golf Tournament; the 2008 and 2009 Soccerex and the 2008 and 2009 A1 Grand Prix, Nikki has  enhanced her skill and flair around large, demanding events and assignments. This, coupled with her presentation and new business development capability, makes Nikki a key component of the Umlilo Brands team.