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.
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
Shiny Things
2024:
Cannes Lions: 1x Bronze in Print & Publishing, 2x shortlists in Film, 1x shortlist in Outdoor, 1x shortlist in Print and Publishing, 2x 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
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
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