It’s time to stop using these played-out words
fierce, brave, this!, so true, Explain how cliche kills meaning Devine. Stunning. Gorj. To die for. amazeballs. Awesome sauce.
Things we definitely need words for
When the Coke/etc foams too hectically when you pour it The slurping noise that it makes when you try finish a drink with a straw That person who sends you the tiredest memes, always three days late
BOET FIGHTER: Social media, video, promo content, and cut-scene collection (Portfolio)
Over the course of 2018 and 2019, my Boet Fighter Co-founder and partner Louis Du Pisani and I ran an ongoing, unpaid social media campaign that evolved into a beast unto itself and, almost literally, came to life… and then went berserk. All this, mind you, while toiling away at our main functions in Project
Turtlebird Books and Paymentology donate books to Breadline Africa
I’m really proud of this one. Since first encountering their work while shooting a series of award-wining TVCs for Business Day in 2012, I have been a huge admirer and supporter of the work done by Breadline Africa in aid of Southern African children in need. When I launched my children’s book publishing company, Turtlebird
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry | Springboks vs All Blacks Tour | Radio & Video Campaign for SARU
After 13 years, I still get a real kick out of making work for The Springboks. SARU have been an amazing long-term client of mine since 2013. In that time, I’ve worked across numerous awesome properties; most notably the annual HSBC SVNS event. But, whenever the Boks are involved, it’s a special pleasure and a
Discovery Health “Because Life Happens” | Pitch Win & TTL Campaign Rollout (for Rapt Creative)
During Q3 2024, I was brought on by Rapt Creative Agency to pitch on Discovery Medical Scheme’s Smart Plan portfolio. Paired up with my longtime preferred Senior AD/CD freelance partner, Candice McLeroth, we won the pitch and were brought back on to roll the campaign out, in time for the December festive season. I’m very
“IT’S A WHOLE VIBE!” HSBC SVNS CAPE TOWN 2024 | FULL TTL CAMPAIGN FOR SARU
My long-time clients and friends at SA Rugby brought me back on as Consulting ECD (or “One-man Agency”) for another HSBC SVNS CPT event campaign (formerly known as “The HSBC Cape Town 7s”). I was responsible for conceptualising, writing and/or creative directing and managing all aspects of a full, end-to-end TTL campaign, spanning four months.
Gord Laws Resumé / CV (2025)
I’ve recently updated and redesigned my resumé. The last one was a little outdated and – if I’m honest – a little bit loud and busy, design-wise. Here’s the 2025 version. Please note that I have redacted a few personal details (my phone number, birthday, and the direct contacts of my references) for personal and
“Same Player, New Game” | Alibaba.com Olympic Sponsorship TVC/ATL Campaign (for McCann Germany)
I’m very pleased to see it out in the world! It was a tricky one, with lots of “moving parts”. In March 2024, I was brought on board for a three-month stint with my good friends at McCann in Germany, to conceptualise and write a TVC campaign (with OOH/KV elements) for Alibaba.com and their official
Kinder + Tic Tac (Ferrero) | McCann Worldgroup Pitch Win
I’m thrilled to have contributed to McCann Worldgroup’s recently announced win of Ferrero’s iconic Kinder and Tic Tac accounts. For more in-depth details, check out MediaNoise’s article here. The account encompasses the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and European markets, so it’s a very exciting win! A few months ago, my awesome friends and frequent clients
Vodacom | Ogilvy South Africa Pitch Win
It was great to be invited by the excellent folk at Ogilvy South Africa to contribute conceptual and copywriting services for the Vodacom account pitch earlier this year. News recently went out from both Vodacom and Ogilvy that the account had been awarded, and I was very happy to hear it. A pitch such as
PAYMENTOLOGY | FULL BRAND RELAUNCH & CREATIVE DIRECTORSHIP (2021-23)
In October 2021 I was asked to join global card-processing/fintech powerhouse, Paymentology, in the full-time role of Creative Director. My primary responsibility was to oversee all creative and brand aspects of a full, end-to-end brand launch, starting from zero. As well as the roll-out of the new brand across all comms and marketing channels. GOING
Gord Laws Resumé/CV 2023
Many have been asking for it, since I left corporate/fintech to pursue more creative landscapes, as of June 2023, so, here it is! My resumé/CV for 2023. As with almost all creatives, keeping credentials up to date tends to take a back seat to doing actual work. But, this should give you a solid-enough picture
Boet Fighter: ALL The Videos!
AKA “Boet Fighter: The Game: The Movie!” Boet Fighter was (well, technically still is) a video game, first and foremost. It also became a social media phenomenon in South Africa, and an often-imitated comedy brand unto itself. But mainly, it was a game (one that even broke an iStore record and won a Loerie and
Roberto Carlos Influencer Campaign for Miniclip/Mini Football (24 MILLION views!)
A brand ambassador and content-creator collaboration campaign that went ballistically viral, garnering 24 million views (and counting) on Youtube, and remaining “evergreen” for years after. In 2021, I was contracted by UK/Portugal-based mobile video game company, Miniclip. The six-month consulting Creative Director position saw me working across a number of their flagship games – most
Introducing… Turtlebird Books!
After more than a year and a half in planning and production, I’m very pleased to announce the official launch of my newly founded children’s book publishing company, Turtlebird Books. Our website is live at www.turtlebirdbooks.com, our first book – A Penguin Called Dave (and How the Day Was Saved), by Gord Laws, illustrated by
Boet Fighter/KFC Collab wins Bronze at 2020 Loerie Awards in “Digital Apps/Games/Tools” Category
At the 2020 Loerie Awards in November, Boet Fighter’s collaboration with KFC South Africa/Ogilvy SA/Mindshare picked up a Bronze Award in the category; Digital Applications, Games and Interactive Tools. This follows the same campaign winning a Silver and Bronze at the Bookmark Awards earlier the same year. The awards were a recognition of our collaboration
Opel Grandland X Plug-in-Hybrid “Überzeugt selbstbewusst” TVC for McCann Germany
In 2020, I was contracted by McCann Frankfurt to write a TVC for the new Opel Grandland X Plug-in Hybrid, alongside Donovan Bryan and the McCann/Opel Team in Germany. My first time writing in English intended to be translated into German, this was an interesting and enjoyable challenge. Once various script-angle options had been approved
Mazda CX-5 “This Feeling, But You Drive it” TVC/ATL Campaign, for Grey South Africa
Early in 2020, I conceptualised and wrote this new campaign for the Mazda CX-5, alongside Marais Janse van Rensburg, and the wonderful team at Grey South Africa… After my contracted period had ended, the Grey Team went on to produce these TVCs and OOH executions for two of the proposed story routes, in my absence.
Hunter’s Dry new campaign line and concept: “Hold My Hunters”, for WPP Team Liquid South Africa
During 2019 and early 2020, I was brought onboard by WPP Team Liquid South Africa to work on the launch of a ATL/TTL brand-refresh and new campaign positioning line for future Hunter’s Dry ads and campaigns. Alonside Felix Kessell, Khanya Sijaji, and the WPP team, I conceptualised and wrote the creative route and statement, “Hold
Boet Fighter/KFC collab wins Silver and Bronze at 2020 Bookmark (Digital) Awards
At last night’s 2020 Bookmark Awards (South Africa’s benchmark awards ceremony for digital media, advertising and content), Boet Fighter’s collaboration with KFC South Africa/Ogilvy SA/Mindshare picked up two awards; a Silver and a Bronze. The awards were a recognition of our collaboration to create custom Boet Fighter arcade machines for KFC’s stand at Comic Con
Five Great Books to Get You into Science
Science classes in school – at least when I was growing up – did a lot more harm than good in terms of my scientific literacy and my eagerness to grow it. Laborious, beige textbooks full of graphs and math. Jaded teachers (most of ’em anyways – I did have one or two winners) with
Toon: Rhinofish
This is an old favourite of mine from about 2002 or 2003, while I was studying advertising at Vega. I drew it with pen, scanned it, and then crudely painted it in an early version of Photoshop. Sadly, those files were lost years ago. Finally, I’ve gotten round to redrawing it. I’ll repaint it in
Toon: Three-toed Sloth
An old idea that I drew years ago, but then lost and forgot about somewhere along the line. At the request of my dear friend and Facing The Gallows guitarist, James “Flames” Irving, I resurrected him using the Procreate App for iPad Pro and gave him a little upgrade. I’m really quite fond of him…
Why social media might be last thing you need right now
You’d kinda expect it would be the opposite, right? While many of us are self-isolating – either out of choice or by mandate – you’d think the internet connecting us to friends, family and acquaintances near and far, would be just what the psychiatrist ordered. If ever there was a moment for the internet (and
That Guy Over There
I love to see my friends each day,And tell them all hello.I love to give them lots of hugs,I’m sad to see them go.I’m happy each and every time,There’s something new to share!I love to greet most everyone…But that guy, over there. I only want the best for folks,My friends and family.I want to see