New creative director for Lowe Bull Joburg

Commenting on Alves' appointment, Lowe Bull chairman Matthew Bull said: “Lowe Bull South Africa has evolved – we produce work not only for local clients but also for several global brands. Rui has produced brilliant work both here in South Africa and in the US on the global stage. We will benefit enormously from his dual experience.”

“Most importantly,” he added,”I know Rui as a person, and I believe he will fit in perfectly at Lowe Bull – he has the right value system and the right attitude.”

Alves began his advertising career at Ogilvy Johannesburg some 16 years ago. He has since worked at TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris and Net#work BBDO, but moved across the Atlantic to work in the US in 2001. For the past four years, he has been based at TBWA\Chiat\Day Los Angeles.

Ranked number 23

Over the years, Alves has collected a number of local and international awards, including Cannes Lions, One Show pencils, New York Festivals awards, London International Advertising Awards, Local and national Addy's as well as several Loerie awards. Before leaving SA, he was ranked number 23 on the CDF list of most awarded creative directors.

Said Alves, “I'm thrilled to be joining Lowe Bull Johannesburg as creative director. It has always been my intention to return to SA and this opportunity was perfectly timed. I feel very optimistic about the country in general. The advertising continues to be of a world-class standard and is allowed to engage with viewers in a more spontaneous way than advertising in most other developed markets. The advertising industry in SA is also very dynamic and moves along at an energetic pace. I've really missed that.”

He concluded, “Having eagerly watched the SA advertising industry from afar, I've seen a lot of great thinking coming out of Lowe Bull specifically, and I want to be part of that.”