Solly Segalo

Copywriter, Chief Executive Officer

Having worked as a salesman of Housewares International, Solly went on to study Advertising and Marketing at The AAA School of Advertising in Gauteng, majoring in Branding Principles and Creative Writing. He also acquired the highly acclaimed New York-based international Association of Advertising Certificate (IAA Certificate). He began working as a copywriter at Linas contributing to brands as Wesbank, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Unilever and Unifoods. He then joined McCann Erickson where he created advertising campaigns for Delta Motor Corporation Gillette, Coca-Cola, Vaseline, Sanyo and Camel. In 1996, Solly went to work at McCann Erikson London on brands such as The London Rubber Company, the London Fire Bridge, Gillette International, Esso Petroleum and The TGIF Group of Restaurants. During this McCann’s tenure, he received two Loerie Finalists and a special mention for his work on Gillette radio.

A few months after his return, he joined Ogilvy and Mather, acquiring experience in the follow-through of below-the-line campaign to above-the line  on Nedbank, M-Net (K-TV and Carte Blanche), Channel O, Just Juice, Avis, SAB, Nestle, National Brands and Sun international. At O&M, he received a Loerie Finalist and a Spada Merit Award for Carte Blanche. He also received a Spada Special Mention for a Willards Promotion. He then worked at J. Walter Thompson on Unilever, Siemens, City Press and Miracle Whip. From there he joined Publicis where he worked on Steers, Renault, British Airways and Fedsure. He then worked as a Senior Copywriter for Young and Rubicam Gitam, primarily on ABSA and he worked at the SABC as Creative Director of SABC 2 where his primary role was to introduce the new brand image of the channel.

Hanlie van Eck

Media Director

25+ years experience in the media industry. She started her career in media with Lindsay Smithers FCB as a media buyer. Her love of research quickly led to the start, and heading of, a media research department. She has worked with several companies in the advertising industry and was the youngest media director (at age 26) in charge of Unilever business.

When she won the IAA Tommy Young Award* in 1995. She decided to start her own media consulting business and have consulted for clients such as Coca-Cola, Edcon, Avbob, Old Mutual, CTM, OK Furniture, Bonitas Medical Aid, SABC, MTN, VW SA, etc to name but a few.

She possesses a vast amount of knowledge and expertise in all sectors of the media business and has set up the media training modules for Vega Brand Communication School in 2004/5 and is still involved in customised training today. Hanlie has also been a mentor to many young strategists in South Africa.

* (“This annual award is presented to the single most promising young person in the South African Advertising Industry. Chosen on merit by the IAA from a list of entrants submitted by the industry”).

Amanda Sityata

Account Management

Amanda began her career at Hunt lascaris (now TBWA) at the end of 2002. Her background is founded on a solid interface with different brand managers and marketing teams

across the Tiger brands group. She oversaw brands such as All Gold, Purity, Fattis and Monis Pasta to mention a few. Whilst at TBWA, she also worked on Standard Bank across all the product range. After tree years at TBWA, Amanda then went to Jupter Drawing Room for two years working on Edgars as an Art Buyer and also as a Production assistant. Amanda joined Blue Flame in January 2008 to work primarily on Old Mutual. With the size that Blue Flame is, she has garnered commendable high-pressured experience in the day-today management on a highly active below-the line account.

Lebohang Tsimatsi

Account Executive

In 2008, after obtaining her Bachelor of Commerce Degree majoring in Economics and Business Management, Lebo started her working career at Peermont Global working as an Intern in the Finance Department.

She joined Blue Flame Advertising in January 2010 as an Account Executive and immediately displayed the sort of enthusiasm that got her promoted to Account Manager. With the size that Blue Flame is, Lebo has garnered commendable high-pressured experience in the day-today management of highly active clients often with tight deadlines.

She has been an intricate part of the team that has converted marketing communications’ briefs into plausible strategies that have contribute towards the architecture of the various brands she has worked on. This at times has entailed interpreting qualitative and quantitative research findings into communication strategies for different brands and ultimately contributing towards the creation of unique selling propositions and ameanable points of difference across the competitive landscape.

Bernadine Billings

Head of Design

After studying Electronic Origination and graduating from South Africa Media College, Bernadine joined the high pressured environment of formidable production house Beith.

She got exposure to a plethora of blue chip brands sharpening her attention to detail that often makes or breaks the final print material. As an agency that’s poised to grow to be multi-faceted and ready to handle above and below-the line, Bernadine’s skill has proven quite an asset in ensuring that nothing goes wrong under pressure and in tight deadlines. From lighting, retouching and general finalisation, we continue to learn from her daily about the different nuances that can add that magical touch in a campaign.

Tlhogi Dibetle

Office Manager

Tlhogi brings to the team her experience as a Marketing Administrator. Excellent time management and attention to detail are core components of administration and to this end, Tlhogi’s dedication and drive are second to none. She displays highly valuable problem-solving skills and her interpersonal skills are proving her to be more and more of an asset in the company.

Her hard working, honest nature poises her well to learn more about the business and grow exponentially with the company.