Richard Kahotea

In recent times I have been freelancing for agencies a nd individual clients. In 2024, I resumed my role as Co-Founder of GWF/The Portfolio Project, where I work on various digital projects on an ongoing basis. Additionally, I work part-time as a Program Facilitator/Trainer.

Clients: New South Wales Council for Pacific Communities (Multicultural New South Wales). Tomuri & Co New Zealand. Brandergy. World Health Organisation.

In this key role, I worked directly with the founder of EQ Foods to co-create a compelling new brand identity and strategically launch it across various digital channels, social media, print, packaging, and sales and marketing. As part of a small, dynamic team, I took on diverse responsibilities, serving as both Head of Sales and Brand Manager to drive success for the business.

• Responsible for sales, marketing, branding and engagement (customer and whole sale)
• Adapted creative execution across multiple deliverables and channels
• Digital copywriting for marketing campaigns across paid, owned and earned channels.
• Key outcomes included 45% increase in brand engagement and 65% increase in sales overtime

During this time as a freelance Senior Copywriter I also worked with senior managers on campaign strategies, collaborating with multiple agencies to deliver impactful campaigns for key clients, including the pitch-winning strategy and creative for Vivo Australia.

• Digital copywriting for marketing campaigns across paid, owned and earned channels
• Social copywriting for both paid and organic content
• Writing for sales funnel from awareness to conversion.

Clients: Bank of China. Vivo Australia. Osmen Outdoor Furniture. CJI Partners. Lellure. South China Airways. SP Brewing. Bank of Papua New Guinea. Goodman Fielder Illimo Milk, Twisties.

Kina Bank.

Personal Clients: Teach Me About Property. New South Wales Council for Pacific Communities. South West Multicultural and Community Centre. K&D Management.

I was hired to lead the creative and strategic development for an agency in New Zealand after working for them as a freelancer from Sydney. During my tenure, the agency became a preferred supplier for New Zealand Government agencies and successfully secured multiple contracts for government projects.

• Campaign concept creation and direction
• New business development
• Strategy for engaging social channel experiences
• Long form writing including articles, letters, government guidelines.
• Copywriting for marketing campaigns across paid, owned and earned channels

Clients: Health Promotions Agency. Ministry of Health. Ministry of Education. Village Collective.

In October 2012 I returned to OgilvyOne as a Midweight Copywriter to work on American Express and then eventually across a number of other select clients. Key tasks were ideation and copywriting for direct and digital channels including websites, eDMs, video and social.

Clients: American Express, Coca-Cola, Dupont, KFC, Vodafone. Contributed to outstanding work for the American Express brand and new business wins.

In 2013 I found myself inbetween roles. Along with my good friend Duncan Mah we created The Portfolio Project, a program dedicated to empowering disadvantaged and marginalised youth by providing them with invaluable opportunities in the creative industries. In partnership with Disability Services Australia, we offer their clients live briefs to work on, enabling them to curate a diverse portfolio of real work.

• NSW Youth Award for Most Innovative Partnership
• Silver and Bronze The Summit Awards
• Two participants placed into agencies

Towards the end of the project I took on a full-time role with OgilvyOne and from then on oversaw program work remotely.

Ideation and copy for direct and digital channels. Awarded YouTube Charity Ad Award, AIMA Finalist, ADMA Bronze, Webby Honouree for Salvos Give A Lunch digital campaign.

Clients: Omega Appliances. Ceva Animal Health. Salvation Army.

Campaign creation and copywriting across all direct channels. Achieved notable effectiveness results for American Express and was invited to work above the line on Nestle.

Clients: American Express, Nestle, Taronga Zoo and more.

Above the line and direct copywriting across all clients. Created the pitch winning new business concept for Sydney Morning Herald.

Clients: PlayStation, Fairfax, Nissan, Biersdorf, eBay, St.George (direct / acquisition only).