Andre Britz: Digital growth specialist
Andre brings 24 years of extensive experience in digital marketing, encompassing strategy, planning, buying, and implementation. Her career spans multiple markets across Africa, the UK, the US, and Europe. Andre has worked in diverse verticals, both B2B and B2C, including Alcohol, Education, Pharmaceutical, Finance, Automotive, Retail, Technology, and Travel. Her vast expertise enables her to deliver comprehensive and effective marketing solutions across a wide range of industries for Firecracker clients
Kirsten Kupferberg: Growth Manager
Kirsten Kupferberg brings a wealth of experience in growth strategies and relationship management to her role as Growth Manager at Firecracker. With a proven track record of driving business expansion and fostering strategic partnerships, Kirsten plays a pivotal role in Firecracker’s mission to expand into new territories.
Clint Davids: Multimedia Specialist
Clint is our multi-media whizz. He does video to motion graphics. Born and raised in Cape Town, Clint has always been an artist at heart finding the wonder in the little moments and appreciating the design features of every element around him. He first studied networking in 2016, before interning at Clicks head office in e-commerce. He decided to expand his knowledge base and study ICT multimedia at Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Clint enjoys keeping fit, all things brand and marketing. In his free time, Clint enjoys taking on design competitions and partaking in Photography.
Candy Bubb: Events Manager
Candy is a highly experienced events manager, she brings over 15 year’s experience to our events team. It’s no secret that events are stressful, but Candy’s combination of calm exterior and endless energy make for a smooth event experience. Candy loves a game of tennis, fine wine, camping and whatever adventures her partner Lance springs on her.
Ben Lewis: Creative Director
Ben is a highly experienced creative – without giving his age away – he has over 25 years delivering cutting edge design and creative strategies for clients in the UK, Australia and South Africa. Although not a full time Firecracker you’ll recognise his work in the beautiful brands, digital campaigns and marketing collateral we deliver to our clients.
For someone raised in London, Ben is unusually outdoorsy and spends his spare time mountain biking, surfing and buying camping gear in the hope his wife (refer to Nicola the co-founder) will get on board with this idea…
Fernando Classen: Events Coordinator
Fernando is our hands-on, ‘nothing is too much trouble events’ coordinator. His fantastic work ethic and positive attitude makes him a perfect addition to the Firecracker family.
He is passionate about making an impact in his community, and runs a fantastic child and youth sports programme. Fernando and his beautiful wife Liah love spending time outdoors and with their friends and family. Look out for Fernando at your next Firecracker event, he’s the one with the big smile.
Carin Abrahams: Marketing and Events Coordinator
Carin is our newly appointed Marketing and Events Coordinator. With over 8 years of experience as an Operations Manager in both corporate and startup environments, she knows how to get things done. She’s all about building connections and known for her outgoing personality and strong work ethic.
Carin holds certificates in HR Management and Business Principles & Practice and is pursuing a B-Com Degree in Strategic Management part time. Eager to dive deeper into the marketing world, Carin’s really into optimizing operations, fostering teamwork and coming up with cool ideas to help our organisation grow. Outside of work, you’ll find Carin cycling, doing pilates and exploring new restaurants and outdoor markets with her partner.
Jason Cumming: Communications Strategist
In his 20-year advertising career, Jason has worked on numerous blue-chip brands across a diverse set of industry sectors, mainly in managerial roles for international communication networks such as IPG (MullenLowe), WPP (Ogilvy & Mather), Omnicom (BBDO), M&C Saatchi and most recently Publicis Groupe.
Jason is well-travelled and has along the way curated a vast network of local business owners, partners and service providers that reaches all corners of Africa. This network gives him and his client’s access to Africa’s burgeoning middle-class through real-time local insights, operational support and quality integrated marketing services on the ground.
His entrepreneurial spirit and penchant for the business of marketing & advertising has recently seen him make the bold move to go it alone as a Strategic & Creative Communications consultant, specialising in business development in emerging markets.
Claire Alexander, Co-founder: Events
Nicknamed ‘Firecracker’ by a former boss, Claire is a proud Scot who has lived a South African life for nearly 20 years. A honours graduate of University of Strathclyde’s prestigious Business School, she carries 15 years experience in event design and production, leading Firecracker’s event team and supplier network with professionalism and boundless energy.
Claire is a dynamic, determined go getter. She’s a speaker, podcast host of @theparallelspodcast, board member and mentor. She’s a Global Scot, appointed by the Scottish Government, as well as a Global Celt, appointed by her beloved football club, Celtic FC. She is a former Scotland national team swimmer and Scotland national university football team midfielder. Forever a sportswoman and now into her 40s, she continues to compete in jiujitsu as a 55kg blue belt. She enjoys reading, bringing ideas to life through entrepreneurship and mentoring young people to help them realise their potential. She is married to Bernard and has two children, Eilidh-May and Caelan.
Nicola Probyn, Co-founder: Brand & Marketing
Nicola is our resident branding and marketing expert with over 20 yrs experience. She studied for her BSocSci degree from the University of Cape Town before she left African shores to broaden her horizons with the stop being in America. She gained an exceptional track record in London, Sydney and back home in corporate South Africa covering a range of marketing disciplines at KPMG, WWF, Vodafone and Old Mutual. Returning to South Africa with demonstrated experience (and a hubby), it gave her the edge to start her own agency. Nicola’s husband, Ben, is an accomplished Creative Director. They have two children, Ella and Sam. As it stands, Sam wants to be a fireman.
