Eric Frank joins Saatchi & Saatchi Sri Lanka

Eric Frank, International Saatchi & Saatchi Creative Director a South African by birth, has a wealth of experience in advertising communications. He began his career as a graphic designer, working under the tutelage of world famous German typographer Gerhard Schwekendiek. After a decade in design, he shifted focus and entered the world of advertising at PN Barrett Co as an art director. He quickly rose through the ranks and within three years was promoted to creative director.

As South Africa prepared for a new democracy under the leadership of Nelson Mandela, Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide, appointed the merged entity of PN Barret Co (Barrett’s) and Klerck & White to represent their global network in South Africa. Within five years, Frank was appointed Group Creative Director for Saatchi & Saatchi in South Africa.

“The chance to play on a worldwide stage was a fantastic opportunity for a country emerging from the disgrace of apartheid; we were motivated and inspired to do fantastic work that would be world class; I have always felt that a developing country need never feel inferior to big global guns;” said Frank. “And we proved it. We were awarded at Cannes, the London International Awards, The New York Festivals, Clio’s, The One Show, Eagles and, obviously, the South African Loerie Awards,” he said.

Later, when GUINNESS asked Saatchi & Saatchi to present ideas on how the brand could double volume sales in Africa within five years, Frank helped set up a taskforce of strategic and creative and minds from across Africa and the rest of the world to find a solution. This led to the legendary Michael Power idea, which not only exceeded its target within four years, but is also recognised as the best advertising idea ever produced for the brand.

On the strength of this performance, Eric was appointed Executive Creative Director for the Saatchi & Saatchi Africa Network where he coached the Saatchi & Saatchi brand culture through the implementation of programmes such as Lovemarks, Re-invention and Sisimo. He was also responsible for initiating, convening and leading creative and strategic workshops across the region with the 23 network agencies and their clients in the region.

Eric is excited to be part of Saatchi & Saatchi in Sri Lanka. “The agency is young, hungry, client-centric and media neutral. This creates the perfect space and freedom for ideas to flourish and where intelligent channels and solutions can be chosen to take the message to the heart of the target consumer,” said Frank.

“He has an extraordinary creative and strategic reputation and we are extremely excited that Eric is now part of our team” said Saatchi & Saatchi Sri Lanka Managing Director Dushantha Ahangama.