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Kris Giles: Creative Director

Need a clever one-liner or a slick design? Kris is your man. While he’s recently had to hang up his boots, you’ll always find a pint in his hand. Cheers, mate!

What do you do at Quazar?
As Creative Director, I operate the office coffee machine and ensure that people I work with laugh at least once a day. Some even twice. Those are the lucky ones. The rest have to suffer through my endless frustration bitching about spinning beachballs and Excel spreadsheets. Other than that, I’m a joy to work with and love letting my brain turn ideas into reality. 

What is your favourite thing about your career?
Creating something new, from absolutely nothing and seeing how the client embraces the success of the work we have done. Making pretty pictures and clever messages come alive. 

Where do you originally come from and where do you stay now?
Originally from Scotland, but have been in Cape Town for over 30 years, so I’m officially a local. Just a local with a funny accent. Blouberg never had it so good.  

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

  1. To be lazy and soak up the sun – Thailand 
  2. To be serene and at peace – a cabin by a lake surrounded by mountains. 
  3. My happy place locally – Arabella 

What is your favourite vacation?
So far, has to be Thailand. It’s a proper ‘holiday’ and good for the soul. 

What would you change about yourself if you could?
So many things. But I can’t, so I won’t. Maybe give myself the ability to fly, that would be cool. 

What motivates you to work hard?
The ability to make sure that the effort that’s put in, reflects on the work that comes out. Seeing ideas materialise is a great reward. 

Who is your hero?
Don’t have one. But if we being literal, Superman. Def Superman.

What is your proudest accomplishment?
Watching my two boys growing into good, young men. It’s very rad.

What is your favourite book to read?
Usually the one I’m reading. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book more than once – although One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest has always stuck with me. 

Who is your favourite author?
Irvine Welsh – yes, it’s a Scottish thing. 

What makes you laugh the most? 
Warped, dark, stupid humour. Yes, I’m going to hell. I’m that guy. 

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?  
Go fly jets with Tom Cruise, followed by a skydive from a ridiculous height, landing at Arabella for 18 holes of golf with Jon Daly and Bill Murray, finishing off with dinner prepared by Gordon Ramsey, sipping on some amazing single malts.

What is your favourite game or sport to watch and play?
Football. Golf. Repeat. 

What would you sing at Karaoke night?
Mystify – INXS 

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chicken Chow Mein with prawn dim sum. 

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From the archives

INN8 white
The client, part of South Africa’s largest financial institution, realised that it was not a platform destination of choice for the IFA market in SA. In an effort to address this valuable market and to futureproof their business they undertook to build a new investment platform. With this platform they needed to gain clarity and certainty on the appropriate brand and positioning to penetrate a highly competitive market and grow market share quickly.
Process 
We undertook a comprehensive global and local audit and research program, talking to current users of the brand as well as the target market IFAs. We looked at global trends and analysed behaviour across 3 markets. We spoke to competitors, partners and staff and then we made a recommendation. Created a new independent brand focused only on the IFA. Becoming the one thing an IFA really needed – a partner in their corner with no agenda other than to enable and facilitate their growth which would ultimately result in the platform growth.
Outcome
INN8 a fintech investment platform brand “Changing the way investments are done in South Africa by becoming “The Adviser’s Partner.” We created the brand and developed its narrative and we launched it into a very tough closed market. To this day, we’re still punching above our weight and getting above industry average engagement across all our touch points.
View INN8 Work.