Dream Teams: George and Shane, the Forbes & Low Partnership

It's a somewhat unlikely partnership. Shane Forbes once opened for Metallica with his metal band, Pestroy, and George Low once had an interesting conversation with the Dalai Lama. Put these two together and you get an odd, award-winning creative combination. It may be a cliché, but this really is a case of two opposites, that add up to more than the sum of their vaguely handsome, advertising veteran parts. 

"Even though we see the world very differently, we really do complement each other. We make each other better,” says George. “So, when we both love the same idea, then we know it's really powerful.”

Shane wholeheartedly agrees that their differing opinions only work to their strengths. "If everyone thinks in the same, predictable way, then you end up with the same old ideas. That's why diversity and interesting pairings of people and teams inside an agency are so important."  

 

Over the last few years, the ‘Forbes & Low’ partnership has led big-idea thinking for a range of clients such as Standard Bank, MTN and Student Flights. They've shaped multiple award-winning spots, been integral to several new business wins, and built a reputation as a team that can solve big business problems in a short amount of time. 

But growth is essential, and change is inevitable.  

After six years of working together as a powerhouse team of creative directors, it was time for a new challenge. According to Shane, "An opportunity presented itself, and after much thought, we decided that the time was right to take that big step forward. We've done some really cool work together, the question now is what can we do when we spread our wings."

   

George says, "To be appointed as an executive creative director at this agency is an incredible honour - the greatest of my career. It's not something you take lightly.”

 

Although they still share an office (and a deep love for their cats), they don't get the chance to collaborate as frequently. The blistering pace of a modern-day, global advertising network doesn't leave much time for contemplation. But where possible, they still find the time to bounce ideas and bad jokes off each other.

"There will always be some new catchphrase, some new philosophy or technology vying for our and our clients’ attention, but it invariably comes down to the same thing: having a great idea and being brave enough to do it,” says George.  

Shane adds, "We're also in a better position now to affect agency culture, as we move beyond the tired old agency tropes that we grew up with and try to inject some fun back into the day to day running of the business." 

George finishes with this, determined to have the last word: "A new force of young creatives is getting ready to take over the industry; hopefully we still have a lesson or two to teach them before they kick us out.”