Smart communications for projects that matter.
About Think HQ
We’re
passionate
about our work.
Think HQ is a full-service communications agency that puts people at the centre of campaigns to drive positive human outcomes.
We seek projects and partners who are aligned to our values. We believe that every activity can and should drive social good - and we only work on projects that do.
We know
social
change.
We’ve worked extensively across the social change sector - including all levels of government, not for profits, philanthropic organisations, regulators and corporates.
We understand the work of social change better than anyone. All of our campaigns are underpinned by research, information and insight.
We find
the best
solution.
We are truly full-service - with end-to-end expertise from ideation and strategy through to creative execution.
We follow the audience, issue and context to recommend the right solution regardless of form, and we can implement everything we recommend.
How to help others, and look after yourself, during the bushfires The bushfire threat is terrible and ongoing. Like all Australians, we are thinking of our loved ones impacted by fire, and all we’ve lost: the people, homes, animals and natural assets.
2020’s biggest trend: Consumers are people too The start of a new decade tends to make one think about the future. For the communications and marketing industry, that means trend reports. Hundreds and hundreds of trend reports!
5 tips for effective media relations Media relations is about understanding how the ever-changing media landscape operates, and knowing what journalists want, to effectively generate editorial coverage.
Digital Video: 5 Things to think about when advertising across SVOD platforms The world of TV and video content viewing is changing rapidly. While Free-to-Air TV’s numbers have been steadily in decline the last few years, Australians have never watched so much video content.
What we do
We work across the
full spectrum of communications
products and services.
Our team includes experts from a range of disciplines and backgrounds, delivering projects big and small. We are defined by our strong values, and by our character.
Strategy & Planning
We develop holistic communications strategies that integrate all relevant channels and tactics - whether that be across public relations, advertising, social media or stakeholder or community engagement. We then have the tools to implement anything we recommend.
Creative
We develop creative advertising and campaigns - from ideation through to practical implementation and design. Our ideas are bold, and always underpinned by thorough research and strategy.
Public Relations
We routinely deliver effective, strategy-driven PR campaigns that achieve high quality results for our clients. We specialise in working with organisations to spark genuine attitudinal and behavioural change amongst their target audiences.
Digital
We create and deliver social media and digital marketing campaigns - handling everything from digital strategy through to content creation and scheduling, community management and social media advertising and media buying.
Media Relations
We create comprehensive media strategies, assembling contacts and angles to get your project the coverage it deserves. We have great relationships with journalists because they know that when we have a story, it matters.
Event Management
We plan, produce and manage events of all sizes - from national conferences through to roundtable discussions and media launches. We’re with you every step of the way - from invites and follow ups through to on the day event management.
Branding
We analyse, define and clarify the narrative of organisations to create clean, clear brands, and then we bring it to life across an organisation’s entire portfolio of communications channels and tactics. Whether it is smaller organisations needing a clear brand narrative or larger bodies requiring a full redesign of their identity, our goal is to provide the consistency needed to project an excellent reputation.
Content Production
We produce written content for a range of mediums - including blogs, eDMs, hardcopy publications and editorial. We create engaging content that educates, and drives people to take action.
Audiovisual
We handle all parts of audiovisual production - from concept and script development through to filming, editing and animating. Whether it’s a social media series or a national ad campaign, our in-house team can deliver from end to end.
Recording studio
Our South Melbourne office includes two fully operational recording studios, allowing us to develop, produce and edit all media resources in-house. In the studios, we’ve filmed advertising campaigns, recorded radio spots and produced podcasts.
Interactive
We develop end-to-end interactive applications that are creative, achievable and impactful. We create websites, microsites, apps, eBooks and other tailored products. Our digital services are comprehensive - from strategy, design and content production through to technical implementation and delivery.
Virtual & Augmented Reality
We work with clients to create bespoke, memorable virtual and augmented reality experiences to educate and inspire action.
Multicultural communications
To properly target modern audiences, we put Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) populations at the heart of our thinking. We work closely with our partner agency Culture Verse to connect in with diverse communities at a grassroots level, ensuring appropriate representatives can provide insight into channels, tactics and messaging.
Who we are
We’re an experienced team with diverse skills.
Our team’s collective experience extends beyond just marketing and public relations, to internal and corporate
communications, event and project management, and philanthropy and fundraising.
Meet the team
Jen Sharpe
Founder and Managing Director
Jen is the sole Founder and Managing Director of Think HQ and Lumin.
Jen is an experienced communications and social marketing strategist with a diverse background spanning corporate, policy, not for profit and entrepreneurial industries. She has worked on delivering successful communications and marketing campaigns for the social change sector for more than 13 years.
Jen established Think HQ in 2010 because she wanted to lead a truly independent agency that stood firmly by its values through the work and projects it delivered, and over the last eight years, that vision has been realised.
Overseeing all Think HQ projects, Jen has grown an impressive catalogue of top-tier clients, including the Federal Government’s Organ and Tissue Authority (heading in to a seventh year of engagement), Stay Smart Online, the Department of Social Services, the National Disability Service, the Scanlon Foundation, the Australian Multicultural Foundation, Philanthropy Australia, Vision Australia, TAC and WorkSafe Victoria.
Jen brings a creative yet pragmatic approach to strategy development and execution, as well as the relationship building nous needed to broker and manage successful partnerships. She is adept at managing a team to deliver beyond expectation.
Jen is an experienced business leader and has strong project management skills that underpin Think HQ’s ability deliver large national campaigns, on-time and within budget. She is direct, and prides herself on resourcing transparency to ensure Think HQ is a low-risk government supplier.
Jen is also the Founder of Lumin - an online communication capacity-building platform for Australia’s social change sector that was launched in 2018.
She holds a 1st class Honours Degree in Politics from Monash and a Graduate Diploma in Business (Entrepreneurialism) from Swinburne. In 2013, she was the recipient of a scholarship to study an Executive Certificate in Business at Berkeley, California.
Andy Lima
Director, Creative & Interactive
Andy is an award-winning branding and communications professional with more than 15 years’ experience providing strategic and creative direction for campaigns and projects across advertising, events, film and digital platforms.
At Think HQ, Andy leads the creative and interactive team, overseeing all design, branding and digital projects. Recently his work has involved developing creative campaign concepts for the Royal Women’s Foundation and the Organ and Tissue Authority. Under his leadership, the team has delivered a range of website and video projects including work for Scanlon Foundation, Social Research Centre and Environmental Protection Authority Victoria.
Previously to his role at Think HQ, Andy has delivered creative services and helped shape brands and communications for Fortune 500 companies including IBM, Novartis, Nestlé and Caterpillar.
Andy began his career as an Art Director working for several advertising agencies in Brazil. In 2001, he co-founded the creative studio S2, which he led as Creative Director until 2009, before moving to Australia. In WA, he founded Guerilla Construction, a creative consultancy focused on branding and experience design. In 2015, he joined digital studio Inkubator as Creative Lead and User Experience Designer.
Andy is an award-winning producer. His 2017 short film, ‘Mrs McCutcheon’ – featuring Nadine Garner and Virginia Gay, and exploring the theme of gender dysphoria in children – recently picked up an AFI AACTA nomination for Best Short Fiction Film. The accolade follows a successful trajectory in film festivals worldwide, including a win at the Melbourne International Film Festival for Best Short Film.
Andy holds a Bachelor degree in Advertising from the Mackenzie Presbyterian University and a Graduate Diploma with honors in Communication, Culture and Technology from the Fine Arts University of Sao Paulo.
Neil Travers
Adviser
Neil Travers has worked extensively in the public and private sectors as a communication strategist, Ministerial adviser, consultant on public affairs issues, and an in-house corporate communications manager. He has more than 35-years’ experience in the management of large-scale corporate, financial, B2B and consumer programs in Australia and throughout the Asia Pacific.
He has held senior corporate affairs positions with PA Consulting Group, Australian National Rail and was Public Relations Manager for Ansett Airlines from 1984-1988. Neil was the Founder of Red Agency.
Neil has held a number of prominent roles in the public relations industry as a Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of Australia, a council member of the PRIA (NSW), the chair of the PRIA’s Registered Consultancies Group (a body of nearly 100 leading PR agencies in NSW). He has been a member of the course advisory committee for the BA Professional Communications degree at RMIT.
Anna Spraggett
Adviser
Anna is a relationship builder with a keen interest in supporting social cause initiatives that inspire communities to create positive change.
With more than 16 years' experience in the philanthropic and not-for-profit sector, Anna brings her network and knowledge of fundraising, philanthropy, and partnerships to her role at Think HQ. Her areas of expertise include stakeholder engagement, event and project management, mentoring, campaign research and content development.
Anna has worked extensively in the not-for-profit sector, managing and delivering a range of communications including stakeholder events, video production, donor and membership programs, and campaigns.
At Think HQ, Anna has achieved exceptional outcomes in communications strategy and implementation for numerous clients including the Children’s Protection Society, Princes Charities Australia, Australians for Mental Health, and the Sydney Community Foundation.
Anna is a Board member of The Cranlana Program, and previously held the role of Vice President of the Myer Foundation and The Butterfly Foundation.
Jade Delios Callanan
Account Coordinator
Jade is a communications and PR professional with skills spanning across the media relations, content creation and copywriting spaces.
Since joining the team after completing the Think HQ intern program in 2018, she has worked with a number of clients including the Organ and Tissue Authority, Department of Social Services and Scanlon Foundation, creating social media content and developing stakeholder lists.
Prior to joining Think HQ, Jade worked in the property sector, where she delivered PR and communications for mid-level to high-rise developments.
Jade holds a Master of Communications and Media Studies with Distinction from Monash University and a BA majoring in Communications and minoring in Journalism and Behavioural Studies.
Jane Emery
Director, Business Development - Lumin
Jane brings more than 20+ years experience across a broad range of senior positions in advertising, research and not for profit prior to her role at Think-HQ.
Most recently, Jane was the General Manager, Marketing and Communications at The Tipping Foundation a leading disability provider in Victoria. With 1,000 clients and similar number of staff throughout Victoria, she led the rebranding, client and family research, stakeholder engagement and fundraising.
Prior to Tipping, she was Managing Director of Grey Worldwide Melbourne and Canberra in the mid 2000's thought 2010.
Jane has post graduate degrees in e-commerce and a Masters of Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Swinburne University.
She previously sat on the Advertising Advisory Board at RMIT, on the Board of the Advertising Federation of Australia and the Australian Standards Board. She’s been on the Australia Day Committee, an ambassador for World Vision travelling to Cambodia with World Vision. She’s also been a board member of Alzheimer’s Victoria and Summer Foundation.
Alice Suter
Account Director
An experienced and multi-skilled Account Director, Alice has spent the last six years at Think HQ delivering a range of social marketing projects across the PR and communications spectrum.
From integrated campaigns for Small Business Victoria (Victorian Government) and the National Australia Day Council, to internal communications strategies and stakeholder relations projects for the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), her attention to detail and solid strategy development experience have seen her deliver consistently outstanding results that achieve and exceed client objectives.
In 2017, Alice led PR activity for the Attorney General’s Department’s Stay Smart Online program, overseeing the development of creative campaigns and ongoing content for its social media platforms, and developing and implementing the PR strategy for its major national awareness initiative, Stay Smart Online Week.
She has also been involved in ongoing PR activity for the Organ and Tissue Authority since 2012, overseeing traditional and social media strategies for its national annual awareness campaigns, DonateLife Week and Thank You Day.
For six years, Alice has worked with longstanding Think HQ client the Scanlon Foundation to grow the launch of its annual Mapping Social Cohesion Report. For this project she has delivered government and stakeholder relations activity; secured quality national media coverage for the research; captured positive migrant case study stories through video content; and managed the report’s national launch event in Melbourne, attended by more than 200 guests.
Alice holds a Bachelor of Communications from RMIT, with Distinction.
Stefan Delatovic
Account Director
Stefan is an accomplished communicator specialising in strategy, media, crisis messaging. With 18 years’ professional experience, he is passionate about using stories and ideas to shape and empower communities.
His origins as a journalist in regional NSW and outer Melbourne give him a deep understanding of how people digest information and interact with complicated ideas, and of the role communications plays in their lives. He specialises in crafting clear, concise messaging that engages communities and changes behaviour.
At Think HQ, Stefan develops campaign strategies that span digital and social media, stakeholder engagement, internal communications and both earned and paid media.
Since joining Think HQ in early 2017, Stefan has worked with a range of clients across the sector, including the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) and the carbon-offsetting non-profit Greenfleet.
Nathan Barrow
Art Director
As an experienced Graphic Designer and Art Director, Nathans brings over 15 years' experience within the design and advertising industries to his role as Senior Art Director at Think HQ.
His previous role at The Shannon Company piqued his interest in working on clients that are dedicated to pushing positive attitudes through social behaviour change - working on clients such as VicHealth/This Girl Can, Mothers Day Classic, Victoria Gambling Foundation and Our Watch, among others. From these projects, he brings his expertise in behaviour change and design to the Think HQ team.
Jenna Waite-Leonard
Senior Account Manager
Jenna is a media-savvy communicator, skilled writer, natural organiser and creative thinker. Spending much of her early adulthood living and travelling in developing countries, she discovered a passion for authentic relationship building and an appetite for creating positive social change.
An experienced Senior Account Manager, Jenna has devised and implemented innovative and strategic solutions for a range of clients spanning government, non-profit, philanthropy, corporate and commercial sectors.
Since 2014 Jenna has played a key role in project planning and delivery at Think HQ, leading media relations and event management activity including media launches, reputation and publicity campaigns, communication strategies and community awareness initiatives.
For the last two years, Jenna has worked with a range of clients including Organ and Tissue Authority, Small Business Victoria, Children Protection Society, Philanthropy Australia, and WorkSafe Victoria to name a few. Her work on the 2016 DonateLife Week campaign was recognised as Health Campaign of the Year at Victorian PRIA Golden Target Awards.
Jenna also established and manages Think HQ’s internship program, which over the last few years, has become a sought-after initiative for Victorian post/undergraduate students.
Jenna has held various board roles, previously sitting on the Victorian Board of Directors for the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) as Partnership and Sponsorship Chair, negotiating and securing a range of partnerships and events for the industry associations.
She has penned content for a range of publications, and has had articles published both in print and online.
Jenna is a Valedictorian, holding a Bachelor of Media and Communications (Public Relations) (Journalism) from Deakin University with Distinction.
Kate McGregor
Senior Account Manager
Kate is a sponsorship, corporate communications and social responsibility professional with experience across several corporate, community and sporting organisations in Australia and New Zealand.
Kate delivered sponsorship strategy and activations at nib health funds for the first six years of her career. It was here as Communications Manager she gained invaluable internal and external communications experience including working closely with its Private Ancillary Fund, nib foundation.
In 2015 she jumped ship from client-side in Australia to agency-side in New Zealand, following the launch of the insurer’s international sponsorship strategy. As Senior Account Manager for an Auckland-based boutique marketing agency, Kate managed projects for clients including Coca-Cola, Lion and ANZ.
Kate turned her interest to the for-purpose sector in 2016-17, accepting the role of CSR and Communications Advisor at GM Holden. In 2018 Kate’s team won Mumbrella’s CommsCon Award for PR Team of the Year – Inhouse, acknowledging her role in supporting the Adelaide community and Holden employees following the closure of vehicle manufacturing for the company and the nation.
Kate holds a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Newcastle and currently studies a Graduate Certificate in Social Impact at the University of NSW.
Gwendolyne O’Dea
Account Manager
Gwendolyne has more than ten years’ experience working in a range of public relations and creative industries. A skilled writer, researcher and relationship builder, she has used her strong media strategy and media relations skills to help deliver clever campaigns for important projects.
At Think-HQ, Gwendolyne has assisted in the design and delivery of media and social media strategies for major projects within both the corporate CSR and not for profit sectors. She has helped to deliver media relations activity for the Scanlon Foundation’s Mapping Social Cohesion Research, and assisted in the launch and rollout of the Women’s Leadership Institute of Australia’s Women for Media initiative.
From Melbourne to Montreal, Gwendolyne’s varied communications career has involved everything from conducting research for internationally acclaimed documentaries, to working as a music publicist for a range of artists.
Gwendolyne holds a Bachelor of Communications (Public Relations) with High Distinction from Victoria University. Prior to her degree, she completed a Diploma of Radio and Television Broadcasting at Holmesglen TAFE and Certificate IV in Music Business Management at RMIT.
Nick Edrington
Senior Account Executive
Nick is a seasoned online content developer, social media planner and digital advertiser. With a background in content marketing, he has developed effective digital strategies and thought leadership pieces for a range of organisations spanning health, consumer, government and corporate sectors.
Understanding the varying digital literacy of the sector, Nick works to create practical and accessible social media strategies that organisations can implement to achieve organisational goals with digital tools. Nick has consulted organisations including Victorian NDIS provider The Bridge and advocacy group COTA NSW.
He has lead the digital promotion of the Australian Multicultural Foundation's A Taste of Harmony - targeting employees, business leaders and HR professionals across industry sectors to encourage them to celebrate cultural diversity and inclusion in the workplace. He's also worked with the Scanlon Foundation to launch the Mapping Social Cohesion Report with Monash University, which has trended on Twitter for two consecutive years.
Passionate about business and networking, Nick served as volunteer to GLOBE (Gay & Lesbian Organisation of Business & Enterprise) Melbourne - Victoria’s networking and advocacy organisation for the LGBTI community - for two and a half years, most recently holding the role of Marketing Director.He was also previously a sub-committee member of PRIA Victoria's New and Emerging Practitioner Group.
He holds a Bachelor of Professional Communication with a PR major and Journalism minor from Monash University.
Lauren Stanhope
Senior Account Executive
With a background in PR and event management, Lauren is a smart and strategic communicator with a skill for capturing powerful case study stories.
She has played a key role in DonateLife Week since 2016, working closely with transplant recipient and donor family members to sensitively tell their stories, and package them for use across traditional and social media channels as a way to promote the life saving benefits of organ and tissue donation.
In early 2017, she worked with blind and low vision case studies to share their experiences in a promotional ‘case for support’ booklet produced for Vision Australia.
In a recent project for aged care provider Benetas, she interviewed elderly clients and captured their stories for inclusion in the organisation’s annual report.
Lauren has assisted in the delivery of regional bus tours as part of WorkSafe's 'Explore Geelong' initiative and was heavily involved in managing WorkSafe's Regional Breakfast Series and Small Business Victoria's 2016 Festival Roadshow event series.
Prior to joining the Think HQ team, Lauren worked with The Barwon Health Foundation and Give Geelong, assisting with the planning and delivery of community events including Gala Day and Geelong RiverFest.
Lauren holds a Bachelor of Arts (Public Relations) with Distinction from Deakin University.
Joseph McMahon
Account Executive
Diligent and hardworking with a great attention to detail, Joseph is a strong and creative content producer.
Securing his position after completing the Think HQ intern program in 2017, he has since worked with a range of clients on varied and dynamic projects with exceptional results.
Joseph has experience in creating content for a range of platforms and has been involved in the development and planning of content for clients including Stay Smart Online, Community Sector Banking and Council on the Ageing NSW.
He played a key role in delivering targeted stakeholder engagement activity to promote WorkSafe Victoria’s 2017 Health and Safety Month, and has worked on media relations campaigns for clients including Small Business Victoria, the Organ and Tissue Authority and Social Research Centre.
He recently secured outstanding media coverage for Greenfleet’s Low Glow campaign with prominent pieces in Huffington Post and Channel Seven.
He is also been a regular contributor to the Think HQ website and blog, as well as the Think HQ social channels.
Joseph recently completed a Bachelor of Communications (Public Relations) at RMIT University.
Sophie Spence
Product Manager, Lumin
Sophie is a dynamic communicator and project leader. She has significant experience in the social change and community sector, having established a broad skillset during her time at Think HQ and not for profit, Keep Victoria Beautiful. Sophie is passionate about building the marketing and communications capacity of Australia's community and social change sector - creating effective and sustainable change.
Antony Dabonde
Lead Developer
Antony is Think HQ's lead developer. Previously, Antony worked with several ASX200 listed companies developing systems to support data analytics and cleansing, data processing, ecommerce, fulfilment, print and electronic digital marketing.
At Think HQ, Antony works with the creative and interactive team to create and develop web applications and interactive media tailored to clients. These have included the construction of REST API's, front end applications leveraging frameworks such as React, developing WCAG accessible tools and content, system automation, UNIX based system management and scripting, SQL based database development and management.
Antony is experienced in integrating platforms such as Salesforce, Amazon Web Services and Stripe.
Antony holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Information Technology from Deakin University
Don Katugampala
Developer
Don Katugampala is a Web Developer with a creative eye and strong technical ability. A full stack developer, Don brings to Think HQ a range of experience including research assistant, freelance web developer and graphic designer. With fluency in PHP, JavaScript, C#, Java, CSS and SQL languages, Don is also well versed in Wordpress, Drupal and Grav Content Management Systems.
Don’s breadth of experience and interest are matched in his academic achievements. Holding a Bachelor of Information Technology with honours, Don pursued his interest in online safety in his Master of Information Technology at Deakin University where he achieved high distinctions in Software Development and Cyber Security. Complementary to his development skills, Don also holds a Diploma in Graphic Design and a Diploma in Web Design.
Don’s recent work at Think HQ include the TAC’s 2020 Strategy microsite, the Jean Hailes for Women’s Health 2017 Women’s Health Survey Microsite and the websites of the Social Research Centre, Ann Wright and Wage Justice.
Angus O'Callaghan
Graphic Designer
Angus is an experienced designer, with skills across branding, digital design, publication design and photography.
Holding a Bachelor of Communication Design from RMIT, he has a keen interest in the way that design can be used to better the way people experience the world around them.
As Think HQ's resident designer, Angus is skilled at translating complex data and research into engaging assets and collateral. His recent work at Think HQ includes publication designs for the Life in Australia Historic Events Survey, an interactive e-book for WorkSafe Victoria, design of an internal microsite for the TAC, a social media campaign for Jean Hailes, and an annual report for Ethical Property Australia.
Jake Lambden
Motion Designer/Interactive Developer
Jake a diverse background in software development and digital media, he brings both creative and technical knowledge to the team.
Holding a Bachelor of Design (Multimedia Systems) from RMIT, with a major in .Net Development, Jake has proven experience in a range of areas including 2D/3D animation, graphic design, video editing, programming and game development.
As Think HQ’s Motion Designer and Interactive Developer, Jake works alongside the digital and graphic design team to transform graphics and complex data into eye-catching motion pieces designed to engage and entertain viewers.
He has recently has produced dynamic videos for range of clients including Social Research Centre, Environment Protection Authority Victoria and Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB).
Nick West
Motion Designer
Nick has worked extensively in Australia and the UK with broadcasting and production companies, leading marketing and PR companies such as the SKY Business Channel, Jamie Oliver “Taste” festivals, Global Radio and Revlon.
As part of the SKY Business Channel, Nick's role was Project Champion Producer for the creation and delivery of over 110 productions broadcasted across the British Isles 2012.
Nick has created high end content across all genres from Documentary to pre-produced drama. Since returning to Australia, Nick has worked with brands and institutions including the Australian Government, Energy Australia, Woolworths, Citibank, Holden, The Body Shop, Capgemini, Yellow Pages, The Urban List, Myer, Map Coffee and Ford.
Nick holds a Bachelor of Screen Production and a Bachelor of Photography majoring in creative advertising from Griffith University.
We work with interesting clients...
How we work
First, we meet
When we meet we like to understand not only your communication needs, wants and objectives, but the broader picture - the key drivers and core motivations behind the project. Relationships are important to us, because the best results are achieved as a team.
Research
Once we understand the task, we put in the time to research and analyse your organisation, your competitors, your sector and relevant past campaigns and strategies. We also look at where there are knowledge gaps, and what further research opportunities may exist.
Plan
Next we discuss your brief and develop a creative, strategic approach to meeting your objectives. Our recommendations are realistic and effective.
Create Concept
As a team, we develop an overarching creative theme to support your project. We work with you to ensure the creative elements truly bring value to the campaign, and so you love the concept as much as we do.
Implement
We believe good implementation is the key to project success. That’s why we are meticulous in project planning and management. We provide regular updates and make sure that we do all that’s needed to get the job done well.
Evaluate
We are passionate about making a positive impact - so we monitor project activity all the way through the campaign period. We evaluate and analyse our work, and provide you with regular reporting, as well as future recommendations.