Kite is a brand agency. A collaboration of skilled strategists, designers, copywriters, digital developers, and videographers in the creation and custodianship of brands.
We immerse ourselves in brand research, strategy, and refinement to provide innovative solutions. Once we have an insightful solution, we disrupt through various mediums, including web, print, and apps, ensuring fresh and relevant work that is effective. The big idea could take us to a street performance, a supermarket shelf, a video, or virtual reality.
We believe in the power of brands to transform, inspire, and disrupt, making it our mission to unleash their full potential.
We live, breathe, and sleep brands and have proven ourselves by achieving 80% awareness while launching a Coca-Cola soft drink and being recognised at industry award shows.
Nic Traest
Founding Partner & Creative Director
Nic began his career in advertising as an art director at The Jupiter Drawing Room. During his four years there he worked on Coca Cola, Heineken, Alfa Romeo, and helped to launch Fresca, a Coca Cola soft drink. Before leaving Jupiter to travel abroad, he won the Loerie Grand Prix for the Johannesburg Zoo campaign.
After travelling for three months in a Volkswagen camper around Europe he decided to have a go at London, working at Euro RSCG and Craik Jones on blue chip clients like Land Rover, Orange, Virgin, and the Guardian newspaper. There he won the coveted D&AD and several Campaign and Direct Marketing Association awards. After six years, the arrival of their son prompted Nic and his wife to head back to Cape Town. There, together with his wife Mel, he started Kite. In their first year of opening, Kite won the Loerie Grand Prix for Italcotto.
Melanie Traest
Founding Partner & Graphic designer
After completing her degree at Stellenbosch University, Melanie began her career at The Jupiter Drawing Room Johannesburg, where she gained broad art direction and design experience. Clients included Stuttafords, Castle Lite and Heineken. Whilst there Melanie won a New York Silver Medal for logo, and a bronze for corporate identity.
When the travel bug called, she surrendered and left Johannesburg for Europe and London. A three-year freelancing stint in London included a year at Arcadia and preceded a job at Harrods Knightsbridge, where Melanie gained invaluable retail design experience.
Since returning to Cape Town, Melanie has been designing toiletries and cosmetics packaging for Woolworths, as well as creating corporate identities, brochures, and digital design.
