RICHARD KAHOTEA

In 2023, I resumed the role of Co-Founder at GWF/The Portfolio Project, a Social Enterprise where I oversee various digital projects. I collaborate with UX/UI designer and other digital specialists to develop and rebrand websites and digital channels for local and international clients.

In addition, I dedicate part of my time as a Program Facilitator/Trainer teaching creative concepting and copywriting.

Client: Clems Designs.

I worked directly with the founder of EQ Foods to co-create a compelling new brand identity and its launch to market across all channels. I also took on the roles of Head of Sales and Brand Manager. During my tenure we achieved worked hard to achieve growth for the business:

• Enhanced customer engagement with targeted social media strategies and newly branded content creation.
• Headed the sales teams to develop integrated promotional campaigns that increased overall revenue growth.
• Increase website traffic by creating engaging and SEO-optimised content for various online platforms.

During this time as a freelance Senior Copywriter I worked with senior managers at Brandergy and Tribe (Australia and Papua New Guinea) on strategy and conception to deliver impactful campaigns for key clients, including the pitch-winning strategy and creative for Vivo Australia.

Brandergy Clients: Bank of China. Vivo Australia. Osmen Outdoor Furniture. CJI Partners. Lellure. South China Airways.

Tribe Clients: SP Brewing. Bank of Papua New Guinea. Goodman Fielder Illimo Milk, Twisties, Kina Bank.

Personal Clients: Teach Me About Property and K&D Management.

In 2016 my daughter endured a traumatic and life-changing experience. During her recovery journey, I met and became involved with local youth organisations and eventually took on the role of community mentor.

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. Our team consisted of fulltime staff and contractors, which meant my tasks were wide and varied:

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

Clients: Health Promotions Agency, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and 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.

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 and 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.

In this role I was hired as a freelancer to work solely on the Westpac account. I collaborated with freelance art directors and digital designers to create campaigns across print, direct and digital.

Campaign results consistently exceeded targets for engagement and conversion.

In this role I worked on above the line and direct ideation and copywriting across all clients.

Our core client was St.George Bank where we worked on direct and acquisition campaigns. While at the agency, my creative partner and developed the pitch winning concept for Sydney Morning Herald account.

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