In 2019, Gordhan’s work for Coca-Cola featured in Contagious Magazine as one of three campaigns in The World’s Best Strategies.
Wayne Naidoo, DUKE Group CEO, says, "Suhana brings with her deep industry insights that will inform our creative campaigns, as well as a fresh perspective. Her love for nurturing talent mirrors the values that the DUKE Group holds, and we are excited to be welcoming her to new and exciting opportunities in Cape Town."
Gordhan will take over from Mike Beukes, who is relocating to London. Beukes has been with DUKE for nearly four years and, during his tenure, has seen the agency ranked within the top two most awarded small agency at the Loeries. The agency was also placed as runner-up in the Medium-sized Agency category at Adfocus 2019 and was voted as runner-up for 'One to watch in SA' for 2020.
Gordhan, who has over 15 years' experience in the advertising industry, will aim to bring her love for the art of copywriting and passion for creative ideas to DUKE’s portfolio of clients, which include Coronation, Pioneer Foods, Environ, Hendricks Gin and Jive, among others.
According to DUKE, her love for advertising started long before she joined the industry.
"As a kid, my siblings and I loved watching ads and reciting great lines from them, like Cremora's 'It’s not inside, it’s on top!', '…in the centre, Mr Venter' and 'Everything keeps going right…Toyota'. We grew up in a home that really encouraged creativity of all kinds. I think all of these things sparked an interesting pursuit to seek out a creative life, and a mission to make work that gets spoken about and that people can remember," she says.
Over the years, Gordhan has gained insights and experience from her many terms on local and international industry award panels.
She was appointed as a Cannes juror in 2016 on the Direct Panel. In addition, she has served at One Show in the Direct Category as well as on Print and Out of Home at The Clios. Gordhan was also nominated to join both the Loeries board and The Creative Circle exco.
In 2017, Gordhan was named one of Destiny Magazine’s 'Power of 40' candidates. In the 2019 Loeries Creative Rankings, she was ranked top 15th creative director in the country.
"I have a lot to gain from joining the DUKE Group, and I hope to learn and grow in a different direction to what I’m familiar with. I look forward to sharing my passion for ideas that really live in people’s lives, my specific and utter joy for copywriting and my ability to nurture young talent," Gordhan concludes.
For more information, visit www.duke.co.za. You can also follow the DUKE Group on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.