After studying at the AAA School of Design and Advertising, Ryan began his career in his hometown, Cape Town, as an Art Director. He has since worked as a creative at some of the world’s top ad agencies, including FCB, JWT, Havas Amsterdam & Paris, Serviceplan Munich, and collected an impressive host of awards including Cannes, ADC, Effies, NYF, One Show, Loeries and D&AD.

Working across different countries and continents has given Ryan a unique perspective on creativity, adding fuel to his belief that creativity can solve real world problems. In Amsterdam, he co-founded “Join the Pipe”, an NGO that won Best New Initiative from UNICEF. Getting deeper into film, Ryan wrote and directed an environmental documentary, shot on location in the South Pacific islands, and shown across Europe. Ryan then co-founded The Soon Institute, a company focused on prototyping futures within the communication industry.

Ryan has worked with a multitude of clients including BMW, Volvo, Citroen, Nike, Addidas, Jameson, Absolut, McDonalds, Sony Ericsson, Nedbank, Evian, Vodafone, M-TV, Levis, and more.

Upon his return to South Africa, Ryan has led NATIVE VML as regional Executive Creative Director. Since then, he’s been instrumental in positioning the agency as a serious creative contender in the industry. Under his creative leadership NATIVE VML has been listed number 5 overall amongst all SA agencies at the Loeries, won the coveted Best Agency title at Bookmarks, twice in 3 years, and added a plethora of local and international awards to their credentials, including Campaign Gold at Cannes.

Ryan has judged at Loeries, Bookmarks, New York Festival, AdPrint, and ADC, was listed in Mail & Guardians top 200 South Africans 2014, and in The Media Magazine’s Top 40 under 40 for 2015.

Ryan is happiest when surfing, having philosophical discussions with his 8 year old daughter and coming up with new ideas.