Hi. I'm Sarah. I write ads by day and other things by night. I'm currently a Global Creative Director at Ogilvy, based in London. Nice to meet you.  

I was born in Los Angeles and spent half a decade in New York (with a brief stint in Buenos Aires) before landing in the UK. I've hopscotched through jobs in advertising, TV news, documentary film, event production, education policy, and scientific research.

Past responsibilities include:
- dodging dozens of legally protected peacocks whilst driving a pick-up truck with exceptionally bad brakes; 
- designing a haunted house experience entirely run by mobile phones; 
- chasing teenage girls around with a drone during a hail storm whilst encouraging them to play football;
- getting a seven year old to even MORE entertainingly destroy a cake;
- and amusing guests on a national morning news show between the hours of 4-8AM. 

I like to make charming, resonant, and/or unexpected stuff. I'm consequently pretty channel agnostic, though I've got soft spots for digital, film, social, experiential, and product/business innovation. But ideally, we're talking integrated, ideas that work for brands through and through. As a result, I'm toting around a number of industry accolades, including my share of Pencils, Lions, Jury spots, and shout outs on snazzy lists (see below). I've also been a mentor at organisations including SheSays, D&AD, and the One Club for over half a decade, championing the next generation of underrepresented talent. 

The Internet and I are secret handshake-level tight. And as an American, I say things like "super cool" and "awesome" and really mean them. I'm also a sucker for robots, lasers, or Hollywood-style massive explosions.

Get in touch if you like what you see.
e: slefkowith@gmail.com 

(And now some awards etc, if that's your thing.)
Degrees
MSc (Distinction) in Social Science of the Internet, University of Oxford (2013-2014)  - Thesis Published in Fall of 2016
BA in Media, Technology, and Social Action from New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study (2008-2011)

Ogilvy: 2023 - Present
Creature London: 2021 - 2023
FCB Inferno: 2016 - 2021
VCCP: 2014 - 2016
Previous Experience at MTV Networks, CNN, HBO, The United Way, and more

Shiny Things
2024:
Cannes Lions: 1x Bronze in Print & Publishing,  2x shortlists in Film, 1x shortlist in Outdoor,  1x shortlist in Print and Publishing2x shortlists in Social and Influencer and 1x shortlist in Health and Wellness 
Clio Awards Judge (Film Craft: Music & Sound Design)
D&AD New Blood Jury President (Bumble)


2022:
D&AD: Judge on Integrated Jury
The One Show: Next Creative Leaders Jury
The DMAs: Copywriting Jury
The Drum Chip Shop Awards Jury
Channel 4 Diversity in Advertising Competition: Shortlist

2021:
The One Show & 3% Movement's Next Creative Leaders Regional Winner (Europe)
Channel 4 Diversity in Advertising Competition: Highly Commended 
The One Show: Fusion Pencil 
D&AD New Blood Judge (Burger King: Copywriting Craft Brief)

2020:
D&AD: Wood Pencil in Integrated - Established Campaigns
One Club for Creativity: Mentor & Creative Programme Mentor
Cannes Lions: Lions Live Contributor (FCB Global's Vulnerable Creator Film Series)
Creative Circle: Bronze in Film - Best Film for Positive Change
CreativePool 2020 Annual - Best Emerging Talent Nominee
The Drum Social Purpose Awards: Best Representation of Diversity and Inclusion in a Campaign

2018: 
Cannes Lions: Bronze and Shortlist in Multi-Platform Social
Campaign Magazine and Creative Equals Future Creative Leaders List 

2017:
Cannes Lions: Silver in Outdoor, Bronze in Health and Wellness, shortlist in Integrated, shortlist in Creative Effectiveness, two shortlists in Health and Wellness
Cannes Lions Young Creatives Academy Graduate
Kinsale Sharks: Silver 
Campaign Marketing New Thinking Awards: Best in Targeting Excellence and Best in Live Brand Experience
London International Advertising Awards: Bronze in Sound Editing 

2016:
Women of the Future Awards - Media Category Shortlist (top 5)
BIMA Hot 100 - Rising Stars Category

2015:
Cannes Young Lions:  Shortlist in Cyber category
Brand Republic Digital Awards: Highly Commended (aka Runner Up) in Communications, Content Marketing, and Creative Technology Categories
Shorty Awards: Honorable Mention in Multi-platform Campaign category and Finalist in Most Creative Use of Technology category
The Drum Dream Awards: Winner in Experiential Innovation
The Drum Content Awards: Highly Commended in Most Innovative or Creative Use of Content and Best Integrated Cross-Channel Cross-Media Campaign Categories
Shots Awards: Shortlisted for Experiential Campaign of the Year 
Chime Cymbal Awards: Innovation Award

2014:
IAB December Creative Showcase Award: Second place

2012:
Narrative Magazine Advanced Fiction Workshop

2009:
Norman Mailer Writers Colony Scholarship (Creative Nonfiction) - first undergraduate ever offered admission
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