Executive Chairman · Agency leadership · Brand and creative strategy · Melbourne, Australia
I'm an agency founder, chairman and brand strategist with more than 30 years' experience across Australia and Asia, including 20 years as Executive Chairman of Purple Asia and leadership of JWT Vietnam within WPP.
I've built and sold agencies, developed lasting client partnerships and helped brands grow. Over the past 12 months I've also been developing AI startups as a founder.
I enjoy working with founders and executive teams as a practical sounding board on strategy, creative direction and commercial decisions, giving leaders the support and space to run their businesses.
Strategic oversight, commercial advice and mentoring for founders and leadership teams.
Experience founding, acquiring, integrating and selling creative businesses.
Brand positioning, new-business wins and long-term client relationships.
Leadership and market development across Australia, Southeast Asia, Greater China, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea.
2004 to 2024
Partner and Executive Chairman
A brand, creative and digital agency serving Vietnam and Southeast Asia. I worked alongside the founder and leadership team for 20 years, guiding strategy, commercial decisions and regional growth through market changes and digital disruption. I sold my equity back to the founder in 2024.
Chairman, International Marketing Committee
I chaired the committee across EMA, Asia-Pacific and Latin America, helping markets share creative resources and balance a consistent brand with local needs.
Chairman, Grocery Buying Committee
I chaired the committee for three years, leading category reviews and supplier negotiations.
Past 12 months
Founder
I'm developing AI startups as a founder, building on my experience in business, brand strategy and creative leadership.
2010 to present
Owner and Managing Director
An Australian branding and packaging design business, established in 1988 and acquired in 2010. I won Australia Post's packaging design account in a pitch against 20 agencies in 2012, building a 12-year relationship through to its 2024 restructure, including a three-year contract for organisation-wide creative services. I have led long-term branding and packaging work for SPC, Goulburn Valley and McCormick Foods.
2004 to 2015
Founder and Chairman
I established the agency at Unilever Vietnam's invitation, with an initial allocation of 80% of its national packaging design work. The partnership lasted more than a decade; I grew the wider client base across Indochina and sold the business in 2015.
2002 to 2003
Managing Director
I was recruited to stabilise the agency, strengthen its creative work and rebuild relationships with clients including Unilever, PepsiCo and Ford. I developed the team and recruited local leadership for the longer term, and the agency won Unilever Ad of the Year for Sunsilk.
1986 to 1990
Founder and Managing Director
I built an advertising and brand agency serving clients including 7-Eleven, MasterFoods, Pedigree, Unilever and Kellogg's, and sold it to Magnus, Nankervis & Curl.
1990 to 1993
Director
I joined following the sale of Gough & Company, integrating clients and managing accounts including Philips Lighting, Northern Territory Tourism and IBM. MNC was later acquired by FCB.
1998 to present
Strategic Brand and Creative Director
I helped grow an importing business into a major Bunnings category partner, with more than 500 products in its national range. I created GRUNT and developed the respect, MOJO and EDEN brands across hardware, outdoor furniture and gardening.
2003 to 2004
Marketing Coach and Business Unit Leader, Knorr
I coached brand managers and leadership teams, then took on leadership of Knorr. I led its reformulation, packaging, positioning and campaign relaunch, with sales increasing 350% in the following year.
1995 to 1998
Director of Marketing
I led Hungry Jack's national brand relaunch, including identity, store design, merchandising and the campaign "The burgers are better at Hungry Jack's". I also led market entries in the Philippines, South Korea and Malaysia, and Burger King's relaunch in Japan.
1993 to 1994
Lead Retail Brand Experience Consultant
I developed the strategy, branch design and customer experience blueprint for Westpac's national retail network.
2000
Strategic Project Director
I was seconded to Beijing to lead development of a personalised telecom web portal with Beijing Telecom, coordinating strategy and technology transfer across teams.
1998 to 1999
Director of Marketing and Sales
I was recruited to lead marketing and sales for Australia and to prepare for executive succession.
1980 to 1985
Grocery Merchandise Manager
I introduced health foods to mainstream supermarkets through the acquisition and integration of Naytura Health Foods, and led national trading terms negotiations with grocery manufacturers.