Gill Attwood
- Founder, Influencer School™
- Personal Brand Architect
- Commercial Partnerships Director
With more than 20 years of experience across agency, media owner and brand environments, I bridge the gap between content, influence and marketing objectives.
My work centers on structuring high-value commercial partnerships for established talent, ensuring endorsement relationships are negotiated with integrity, strategically aligned, and protective of long-term brand equity.
Qualified in Leadership Coaching (SACAP), I work with a portfolio of South Africa’s best-known media personalities, athletes, influencers and public figures, overseeing their commercial interests while enabling them to focus on their craft. Through Influencer School™ and Future Work Coaching, I help people build viable businesses in the Passion Economy.
Services
Personal Brand Architecture & FUTURE WORK COACHING
Building a personal brand can feel “cringe” at first, but once talent has got you are far as you can go, it’s time to think about how your name and influence in your industry can build out into something that is sustainable and commercially viable.
I work with established Influencers, Athletes, Celebrities and Professionals to architect their careers and build products and services that align with your passion and experience.
This is done through one-on-one private coaching and goes beyond just how you show up online. We shift the focus from self-promotion to value communication and create a path for both short term and long term success.
Company Culture Focus
I offer team building / group workshops to kick off personal brand discovery. The businesses that win in the next 5 years will be the ones whose employees think and act like entrepreneurs.
Influencer Marketing Plug-In
I partner with agencies and brands to integrate influencer marketing and creative content strategy into existing traditional campaigns, connecting big ideas with the right people.
It’s like plugging in an expert influencer function without adding headcount, handling everything from strategy and talent sourcing to negotiation, contracting, and creative direction.
Client’s benefit from long term relationships and commercial experience to ensure campaigns align with measurable results.
Commercial Partnerships Director & Talent Management
I manage the commercial partnership deals between Established Influencers / Celebrities and Brands.
This includes:
- Strategic evaluation and brand alignment
- Rate negotiation and packaging
- Contract review and usage rights structure
- Protection of brand equity and intellectual property
- Conflict resolution and expectation management
- Ensure both talent and brand deliver on agreed commitments
- Invoicing and administration
I charge a percentage commission on the value of the brand partnership. Please note, there is limited space on my roster and representation is not guaranteed.
Showcase
Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour
The inaugural Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 Cape Town was held in November 2022. Pitch Network are the official rights holders for the event, turning the Historic Grand Parade into a Beach Stadium for 7 days, comprising of 2 competition courts, 2 practice courts, a grand stand, food village and VIP Hospitality. Gill was responsible for managing the Social Media Communication, PR and Media Liaison for the Tour.
Image: Caleb Bjergfelt
Number 1 Mageu Brand Campaign with DJ Fresh
Number 1 Mageu Brand Campaign with DJ Fresh was a 3 month contract which included Point of Sale, Personal Endorsement, Radio, Social Media and Live Events. Gillstrawberry acted as Talent Management and Contract Negotiations for DJ Fresh.
Image: Number 1 Mageu
Delush Wines “Influencer Search” Finale Event
The Delush Wines “Influencer Search” Finale Event was hosted at the Hyde Park Sky Lounge where the finalists undertook their final interviews, enjoyed lunch with the celebrity judges and celebrated the Winner Announcement and Prize Giving. Gillstrawberry organized the event, celebrity judges and final winner selection, as well as social media and content creation for media communications.
Image: Delush Wines Campaign
Ryan Stramrood
Ryan Stramrood is an Extreme Ice Swimmer, Global Inspirational Speaker and Author. Gillstrawberry helped establish Ryan Stramrood as a personal brand, assisted in product development, communication strategy and social media presence. Ryan Stramrood remains a valued client within the Gillstrawberry portfolio.
Image: Thrive Magazine Shoot (Truworths)
Bosman Wines Nero Ambassador
Gillstrawberry was responsible for pitching and introducing Thapelo Mokoena to Bosman Wines for inclusion of their launch of the Nero Red variant. The negotiation included a layered incentive/remuneration partnership and remains in place since 2017.
Image: Bosman Wines
Delush Wines Launch Campaign
Gillstrawberry was involved from concept to creation, using three popular influencers to represent a variant of DELUSH to establish personality and positioning. The campaign launched with a hair-makeover shoot with the three influencers representing their assigned variant (Red, White and Rose) which fed into the campaign content and messaging for the 6 month roll out.
Images: Dawn Frogson, Graphic: G4 Agency
Moeti "Mo Flava" Tsiki
Moeti "Mo Flava" Tsiki is a Radio and TV Presenter, Club DJ and Music Producer who is an established South African celebrity. Gillstrawberry manages Mo Flava’s brand ambassadorships, personal brand and media campaigns (2010 – current)
Images: Various/Instagram
Two Oceans Aquarium
The Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town facilitates the rescue and rehabilitation of South Africa’s Ocean Wildlife. Gillstrawberry introduced Bob the Turtle to the Elite 16 Beach Volleyball athletes who spent the morning assisting with his physiotherapy as part of a PR initiative to raise awareness for his release.
Images: Caleb Bjergfelt
Influencer School
Whether changing careers, retiring from professional sport, returning to work after a break, or looking to turn a passion into an income, we will uncover the path, identify opportunities and build a career and/or business that aligns with your skills, passion and the future of work.
Our work together will cover personal brand building, social media and digital presence, and development of assets and services unique to your lived experience.
Private Sessions
Future Work Coaching
The careers of the future will belong to people who are adaptable, curious, committed to lifelong learning, and understand where they create the most value. Future Work Coaching helps identify possibilities that people may not have known existed before.
We operate in the Passion Economy, where skills, creativity, personal brands, communities and expertise can all become opportunities.
- What is my passion and expertise?
- How do I turn that into a meaningful career or income stream?
- How do I navigate change when the world of work is shifting?
Whether you’re leaving school or university, considering a career change, transitioning out of professional sport, facing redundancy, or simply feeling stuck, we’ll create a roadmap that helps you move forward with confidence.
Corporate Workshops
Everyday Influencers
A practical team building workshop designed to set your staff up as unique and valuable personal brands working within your company.
This workshop helps:
- Teams show up with more clarity and confidence
- Employees understand and articulate their value
- Businesses build a culture of ownership and intrapreneurship
Ideal for:
- Leadership and Management Teams
- Marketing, sales, and client-facing roles
- Administration and Operational Teams
CPD-accredited (can be registered through your company)
Online Udemy Course
The Business of Being an Influencer
Prefer to learn in your own time?
The full Influencer School framework, available as a self-study course you can work through at your own pace.
Covers:
- Personal brand positioning
- Content strategy
- Pricing, deals, and monetisation
- How the creator economy actually works
*The Influencer School curriculum is currently being updated, but you can still access all the tools and videos at a reduced price in the meantime. Feel Free to check it out!