2026 Virtual Coaches
Mandie van der Merwe
Chief Creative Officer
Saatchi & Saatchi Australia
Sydney
Mandie van der Merwe is the Chief Creative Officer of Saatchi & Saatchi Australia and Chair of AWARD (Australasian Writers and Art Directors).
Over 24 years, across three continents, Mandie has led global and local brands including Toyota, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Tourism Australia. She believes creativity is not wallpaper for marketing. It is a commercial and cultural lever. Ideas should change behavior, shift businesses and earn their place in the world.
Her work has been recognized more than 300 times at the biggest international and local award shows, including D&AD, Cannes and The One Show. As Chair of AWARD and former National Head of AWARD School, Mandie is relentless about raising standards and developing creative talent. She believes in pushing the next generation beyond what they think they’re capable of and what the industry expects. She champions craft, courage and effectiveness in an industry that too often confuses noise with impact.
Outside advertising, she dabbles in ceramics, which (weirdly) also relies on working with pressure, patience and heat.
Over 24 years, across three continents, Mandie has led global and local brands including Toyota, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Tourism Australia. She believes creativity is not wallpaper for marketing. It is a commercial and cultural lever. Ideas should change behavior, shift businesses and earn their place in the world.
Her work has been recognized more than 300 times at the biggest international and local award shows, including D&AD, Cannes and The One Show. As Chair of AWARD and former National Head of AWARD School, Mandie is relentless about raising standards and developing creative talent. She believes in pushing the next generation beyond what they think they’re capable of and what the industry expects. She champions craft, courage and effectiveness in an industry that too often confuses noise with impact.
Outside advertising, she dabbles in ceramics, which (weirdly) also relies on working with pressure, patience and heat.