Avish Gordhan
Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu Creative
Over the last 20 years, Avish has worked on 3 continents creating global and local campaigns for clients such as Tourism Australia, CBA, Nando’s, MINI and Go Gentle Australia.
His work has been recognised over 200 times at local and international award shows, including Cannes, D&AD, AWARD, the Loeries, as well as the Australian Effies. Avish is the co-founder of #OnlyOneInTheRoom and a member of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.
He believes passionately in creativity. Specifically creativity that creates culture, changes society, that starts dialogues, and that gets him into bucketloads of trouble. He doesn’t mind if his work is despised as long as it’s not ignored.
Career & Background
What inspired you to do what you are doing now?
I love ideas. I love problem-solving. I love the craft of writing. These are things that keep me here.
Could you tell us a bit about your professional background?
I worked as an art director when I started in this business. I wasn’t very good. I moved into copy. I was better at that. Right now, I do neither. My job is to make people make the best work of their lives. Where am I heading? Hopefully towards some work that has never been done before.
What drives and inspires you
What are your core values?
- Courage
- Fun
- Making a difference
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
Trevor Noah – knowing his history in South Africa, it’s incredible to see his rise to global fame all while maintaining humility, honesty and a sense of humour. The ability to change mindsets, lives and futures through thought-provoking entertainment is inspiring to me as a creative person.
Your favourite food for thought
Books
- Find your why – Simon Sinek
- Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor Frankl
- The Artist’s Way – Julia Cameron
Podcasts / Thought Leaders
- The Creative Relay
- Black T-Shirts
- Brown Riot
You as a Mentor
Why have you decided to become a mentor?
Being a mentor gives me the opportunity to learn. I get to learn about how a different generation thinks about businesses and careers.
It allows me to learn about leadership in a way that is not always possible while doing the job of managing a team.
I get to learn from people outside of my usual frame of reference.
What are the top skills or qualities you bring to mentoring?
- Direct
- Empathic
- Non-judgemental
- Patient
Ready to be a part of Assisterhood as a Mentee?
We are now up and running in QLD, VIC & NSW – and we’re only just getting started! Let’s shoot for the stars – together!