IDIDTHAT JUDGE
JAKE BESTER

Right now Jake has the pleasure of overseeing the creative output of M&C Saatchi Abel in the role of Chief Creative Officer. He has been working in the creative industry for 27 years now. This includes helping build the agency Publicis Machine and an 12-year stint at Ogilvy Cape Town, where his career actually began in account management. 

Not ideal, but we all pay our dues somewhere. Right now his focus is on a portfolio of Tech brans including Mr D, Superbalist, Takealot, MTN, Tik-Tok and Netflix, but during his 20-year career, he has also taken blue-chip brands like Red Bull, Volkswagen, SAB, Adidas, Nando’s and Marmite to new creative heights both locally and internationally including the global launches of the new Castrol Masterbrand, Castrol Edge and The Castrol Index starring Cristiano Ronaldo. 

As a member of the Creative Circle of South Africa, he has judged local Creative Circle events including The South African Loerie Awards, sitting on the Digital, Design, Tv, Print and Integrated panels, showing experience across all advertising platforms. He has also been the recipient of numerous awards including Cannes and Clios, One Shows, D&AD’s, Loeries and Eagles, constantly proving that a highly creative approach can also yield ROI focused campaigns. His work, both professionally and personally, has been published in various industry publications, both printed and digital. 

His latest project is throwback surf brand York Surf, of which he is co-founder and creative director. Jake lives in Cape Town. Loves the city and the people in it. He also loves the internet, surfing, reading, gardening, running and squash. He has two dogs. They’re ok.

WISH I DID THAT
Judge’s Pick – Jake Bester

JUDGES COMMENT
“I really enjoyed the fresh take on ‘A.I.nthing For The Taste’ across all the KFC pieces and the ‘Forever Golf’ work really made me miss my VW. However, the judging brief was to choose a piece I wish I had done and that piece is ‘SAB 130’ by Boundless. We’ve all had the celebratory or birthday brief land on our desks more times than we can count and I just loved the scale and simplicity of how they brought this SAB milestone to life.”

AWARDED
10 December 2025