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
The Drum Awards - 1x Gold in Photography, 2x Silver in Online Video (short form) and Social Media (Fashion & Beauty), and 1x Bronze in Integrated Campaigns
AWARD - 1x Gold in Purpose, 1x Silver in Press, 1x Bronze in Health
One Show Asia - 1x Bronze in Integrated and 2x Merits in Print and PR
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