Grindstone Advertising
We don't focus on working with big brands.
We focus on making brands big.
Who we are
About us
We're more than just an agency
We’re the artisans of the digital world. Nestled where the whales come to play, in the Garden Route, South Africa, our boutique agency specialises in a spectrum of services, from web design and development to SEO, branding, and design.
We're on a mission to energise your business
We deliver cutting-edge marketing solutions and equip our clients with scalable tools and strategies necessary to flourish in a constantly evolving digital landscape.
So what makes us different? Our culture
Our small but mighty team brings a treasure trove of creative talents to the table, carefully crafting inspirational work, and pushing boundaries to empower businesses to excel. We know a sustainable approach to business is essential for long-term success, and we weave our commitment to sustainability into every aspect of our work, from eco-friendly office practices to supporting local and client conservation initiatives.
Business of the year 2023
The Values that drive us
Brave
Together we are warriors
We challenge ourselves and each other
We think bigger than we are
We’re brave enough to shine
Compassion
We are genuine
People are everything
Integrity is crucial
Empathy is at our core
Adept
We are flexible
Our energy is focused
Our process is clear and methodical
We plan to exceed
Innovative
We love solving puzzles
Highly skilled
We think bigger than we are
We’re brave enough to shine
Our team
Lynette Whittaker
CEO | FOUNDER
Chief whip, creative counsellor, controller of chaos, think tank, avid oenophile, and travel sommelier, Lynette has been in the creative industry for almost 25 years. With her passion for marketing, brilliant design and constant commitment to the growth of her clients’ businesses, she proudly heads our team of strong creatives and professionals, ensuring only the best marketing and design solutions are delivered to clients.
Jan van Deventer
DIRECTOR
Jan’s career is a testament to his marketing prowess, particularly within the hospitality industry. His ascent from juggling plates as a waiter to juggling multiple projects for clients reflects his deep understanding of the customer journey, while his entrepreneurial ventures showcase his ability to elevate diverse businesses. Jan leverages this rich background to drive innovative strategies and deliver exceptional client service.
Bernadene Claassens
ACCOUNT & PROJECT MANAGER
Bernadene grew up talking endlessly. To keep her busy (or possibly to keep her family sane), she was enrolled at a modelling school at five years old and obtained her modelling Teacher’s Certificate at a young age. Bernadene’s love for people has led her to a career as a restaurant operations manager, and afterwards, developing an unexpected passion working for a funeral agency, before joining our more lively office, here at Grindstone.
Klea Ferreira
HEAD OF DIGITAL
Always friendly with exceptional client service, Klea is an experienced designer and digital guru. After completing her studies and winning a D&AD and Loerie award in succession while working on a number of international brands, she relocated to sunny Mossel Bay. After more than 15 years in the industry she still loves every step of the creative process – from concept to final design. She’s also an avid photographer, illustrator and artist.
Esther Jacobs
HEAD OF CONTENT
Esther is a content producer by profession and a conservationist by avocation. She has gained an eclectic mix of skills throughout her couple of decades of working in copywriting and social media management. Esther’s passion lies in conservation and she controls the office naughty jar for anyone who dares bring single-use plastic to work. She also boasts being nominated as Scotland’s Ambassador of Rock through Hard Rock Cafe, once-upon-a-time.
Manuel Koloma
PROJECT MANAGER
Manuel, with a zest matching Mozambique’s sun, champions integrity and social responsibility. A master juggler, he effortlessly balances his passion for cutting-edge tech, like Blockchain/Web3 and AI, with a dedication to problem-solving, all while maintaining his love for adventure and exploration. Watch out world – Manuel’s on a mission to revolutionise industries and conquer new horizons, one innovative idea at a time!
Nicolaas Steenekamp
DEVELOPER & UX DESIGNER
Nicolaas is a graphic designer, developer, photographer, musician and writer. After he received a BA degree in Creative Brand Communications in 2014, he worked as a graphic designer, translator and Afrikaans copywriter at various corporate groups. In his free-time he enjoys summiting all the peaks of the Outeniqua Mountain range or attempting to break his PB on a half-marathon.
Saskia Rezelman
DESIGNER & ILLUSTRATOR
Our talented graphic designer and illustrator is known for her unwavering enthusiasm and incredible creative talent. Saskia effortlessly conjures up captivating ideas that leave a lasting impression. Her genuine kindness and deep love for nature shine through in everything she does, finding inspiration in the great outdoors. Saskia’s meticulous attention to detail merged with a touch of fantasy, makes her a valuable asset to the team.
Andre Carstens
COPYWRITER
André loves to live healthily, exercising for a few minutes, and then gobbling up a whole cheesecake… because life is about balance. If you ask him what he loves the most in life, he’ll quickly respond with ”Rufus” (his dog). He seamlessly slotted into our dynamic team. By using his innovative writing ability, he has proven himself a valuable asset, not only to our team but to our clients.
Connor Evans
DEVELOPER & UX DESIGNER
Meet Connor, a dedicated self-taught web designer and developer fueled by a genuine passion for all things web-related. Over the years, he’s transformed from an enthusiastic novice into a skilled practitioner, continuously refining his craft and showcasing the potential of self-motivation and dedication in the digital realm. Connor enjoys adding extra sentences to bios so they are the same size as the rest.
Kristin Routledge
ADMINISTRATION MANAGER
Meet the office’s newest star. Kristin is the youngest in our team, but don’t let that fool you; she’s got her sights set on the boss’s chair. Between client calls and conquering admin, she’s giving our other style queen, Saskia, a run for her money with her fashion sense. Kristin’s not just part of the team; she’s redefining it, and when she’s not head down at the front desk, she’s dreaming of SCUBA or her next adventure.
What our clients say
Earth Legacy Foundation
Conservation Projects
“To empower society to live sustainably and in harmony with nature to conserve the future of biodiversity.”
Earth Legacy Foundation is our conservation NPO, dedicated to preserving wildlife and the environment for future generations. We partner with a variety of organisations to collaborate on community and conservation efforts across Southern Africa. These include educational workshops, plastic pollution events, biodiversity studies, and women’s empowerment.We are working on expanding our initiatives to address the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, such as biodiversity loss, pollution, and overexploitation. Our team aim to strengthen our collaborations and networks with other organisations and stakeholders who are as committed as we are to creating a more sustainable and conscientious world.Our efforts are supported by profits generated from tourism partners, emphasising the role of ecotourism in the sustainability of their projects. The team behind the foundation comprises entrepreneurs, planners, creatives, and extroverts united by a commitment to sustainability and the understanding that natural resources must be preserved for future generations.