Shaun Frazao

Shaun Frazao

Global Senior Strategy Partner at Wavemaker Global
London, United Kingdom

About me

I am a seasoned strategist with over 10 years’ experience in developing innovative campaigns in the corporate, public and political sectors.

I currently works as Global Senior Strategy Partner for Wavemaker Worldwide based in London, where I am responsible for leading the strategic marketing and communication efforts for global brands across categories such as technology, consumer-packaged-goods and new economy.

With a Master’s degree in Political Communication, and finishing up a PhD in digital political campaigning, I possess specialized knowledge in digital political communication. My academic body of work includes topics such as Personalization of Politics in South African elections, the Diffusion of the Arab Spring, and the use of hyper-targeted populist rhetoric by the Trump campaign.

My prior experience includes Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Digital at Wavemaker Sub-Saharan Africa, Media Director at Penquin Advertising, Head of Digital and Data at SPACE Media, and Lecturer in Persuasion Studies at the North West University.

My portfolio includes delivering award-winning work on brands such as Danone, Beiersdorf, Square, Back Market, L'Oreal, Adobe, BMW, Netflix, Colgate, Telkom, British Airways, Huawei, Suzuki, Microsoft, The Kingdom of the Netherlands, South African Revenue Service, Whirlpool and many more.

As a fierce supporter of the free press, I also serve on the Board of Directors of the Burke Scholarship, a programme dedicated to advancing democracy by training and developing extraordinary journalists. I also serve on the board of trustees for a dementia related charity, CAMEO Day Centres, a topic I am passionate about.

In addition to the above mentioned, I chaired the IAB Research council and worked as project lead for the annual IAB and PWC Digital Adspend Survey. My work has been featured multiple times in publications such as Forbes and Bizcommunity.

I am well-versed in data and digital media, and stand firm in my belief that strategy should be grounded in data, growth-driven insight and counterintuitive reasoning.

I considers myself a critical thinker that is always up for a debate, valuing open and honest discourse. I would describes myself as a life hacker, dreamer and idealist - that thrives on creative problem solving. My values are rooted in two key concepts, always being authentic, and always taking initiative.

Languages
  • English - Native
  • Afrikaans - Native
  • French - Basic
  • Portuguese - Basic

Positions

Global Senior Strategy Partner
London, United Kingdom
November 2021 - Present (2 years 4 months)
Chief Strategy Officer, Sub-Saharan Africa
Wavemaker
South Africa
January 2021 - November 2021 (10 months)
Head of Digital and Content
Wavemaker
South Africa
May 2019 - January 2021 (1 year 8 months)
Media Director
Bramley, South Africa
August 2018 - April 2019 (8 months)
Head of Digital and Intelligence
SPACE.TM
South Africa
January 2017 - May 2018 (1 year 4 months)
Research and Insights Executive
SPACE.TM
South Africa
August 2016 - December 2016 (4 months)

Education

PhD in Political Communication

January 2019 - Present (5 years 2 months)

Master of Arts in Communication

January 2015 - November 2017 (2 years 10 months)

BA (Hons) Communication for Social Change (Cum Laude)

January 2014 - December 2014 (11 months)

BA Communication (Cum Laude)

January 2011 - December 2013 (2 years 11 months)

Trade Organizations

The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB)

Research Council Chair (South Africa)
October 2020 - January 2023 (2 years 3 months)

The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB)

Digital Content Advisory Board Member (South Africa)
January 2021 - December 2021 (11 months)

Other professional activities

CAMEO Day Centres

Board Trustee
May 2023 - Present (10 months)

Burke Scholarship for Excellence in Journalism

Board Director
January 2017 - Present (7 years 2 months)

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