Through-the-line communications agency Chillibush has marked 13 successful years in the industry with fresh new branding and strategic appointments at a senior level as it continues to evolve. Founding director Dale Hefer, a former businesswoman of the year and author of best-selling “From Witblits to Vuvuzuals: Marketing in the New South Africa”, and hands-on chairman Victor Dlamini remain at the helm, while Tamaryn Smith and Felix Calitz have joined the team as Managing Director of PR and Creative Director: Advertising respectively. Their experience contributes to a truly integrated service for clients who engage the agency across all elements of the marketing mix. 

Felix has more than 30 years of experience in the South African advertising and design industry as a change agent, generating an award-winning body of work across a number of industries. His extensive local and international experience comes to bear in developing surprising and effective solutions for clients. 

Tamaryn brings a strong skill-set in marketing communications to the Chillibush team, gained both locally with agencies including Ogilvy and internationally with General Electric. A career milestone was growing a communications consultancy specializing in CSR and sustainability communications. Tamaryn has a proven record in strategic planning, as well as managing integration of the marketing mix to provide comprehensive communications delivery. 

Thirteen years on, Chillibush is permeated by founder Dale Hefer’s philosophy, summed up in her best-selling book From Witblitz to Vuvuzelas: Marketing in the New South Africa. Dale says, “We have created an open collaborative environment of passionate individuals who are dedicated to really integrated delivery across advertising, PR, media buying, internal communications and investor relations. We strive to produce excellent creative work that remains completely appropriate for the business and marketing objectives of the client, providing tangible returns on investment.”
Chillibush has been ranked a top three small agency by both Financial Mail and Finweek and is a level 3 BEE contributor. In 2009 Chillibush was a finalist in the Top Female Empowered Organisations in Business and Government. 

“Chillibush continues to evolve and we are excited to now be delivering online and social media services to clients as part of our integrated campaigns. Our print publications offering is also evolving, and we have added expertise in integrated reporting and sustainability communications,” says Dale. “As a communications agency, you have to stay current and have the right talent and capacity levels in place to provide the seamless service clients need. I’m confident we’re doing exactly that.”

Felix Calitz


Tamaryn Smith