Xolisa Dyeshana

Xolisa is Chief Creative Officer and partner at Joe Public United and has been an invaluable part of the agency group’s growth story, having begun his journey with the agency as far back as 2006 and becoming a shareholder in 2013.

He contributes a wealth of experience gained over 17 years, working on iconic brands like Mercedes-Benz, Ford Motor Company, Nedbank, Dialdirect, P&G, Renault, 3M, Chicken Licken, UberEats, Converse, Distell, Momentum, Santam, Elizabeth Arden and Toyota. Xolisa’s passion lies in the world of creativity. To this end, he has actively contributed to the industry as Chairperson of Creative Circle, the highest decision-making body for advertising creativity in South Africa and served as Chairman of the Loeries (2012–2014), South Africa’s premier advertising awards show. He also strives to give a voice to African creativity on the global stage, having served on the juries of almost every renowned advertising award show across the world. Most recently, he was elected to the international board of the One Show – the premier advertising show in the United States.

His passion for creative excellence is evident in the numerous awards won throughout his career at both local and international awards festivals, including Cannes, D&AD, One Show, Loeries and more – earning him recognition as South Africa’s No. 1 creative leader in 2018 and as one of Finweek’s ‘Top 6 People to Watch in Advertising’.

Xolisa lists opening the 20th Annual Design Indaba Conference alongside Pepe Marais among his personal career highlights. He is also proud to have been one of the creative minds behind Brothers for Life, one of South Africa’s biggest and most successful behavioural change campaigns – demonstrating another of Xolisa’s passion points, which is driving social change through creativity.

Xolisa is a founding member of Ikamva Lakusasa and has also been part of many industry committees aimed at helping young people from underprivileged backgrounds to gain access to the industry – actively engaging a new generation of creative minds in finding new solutions for a better South Africa.