Thinkerbell has made five staff appointments across several of its teams, including Anjana Khallouf as national head earned and owned thinker from OMD, and one promotion.
On the slate of new hires, Thinkerbell CEO Margie Reid said: “We are delighted to welcome to the family such an experienced and well-lauded group of individuals.”
Khallouf was head of OMD Create Melbourne and was on the leadership team at OMD as well.
Khallouf said: “My career highlights have always resulted from true collaboration with our creative partners, not us vs. them, so when I realised that this was the magic of Thinkerbell’s model, and that they are the Best PR Agency in Australia for the second year running, it felt like the only place for me to be.”
For the promotion, Grant Anderson has been promoted to national production tinker from head production tinker. Anderson is now working across Thinkerbell North and South, and taking control of all production departments within Thinkerbell. Grant also takes control of The Little Green Book, Thinkerbell’s curation and management system of production and implementation collaborators.
Krystel Jenkins (nee Houghton) has been appointed as group head thinker. Jenkins joins the independent agency from CX Lavender, where she was business head. Jenkins has also spent time at FCB New Zealand and Colenso BBDO.
Jenkins said: “It’s pure delight to be joining the impressive Thinkerbell team. Looking forward to experiencing and creating many magical moments for our Clients and customers.”
Josh Gurgiel has been named as head media thinker, joining Thinkerbell from Ooh Media where his most recent title was head of strategic client solutions – southern markets. He has also held roles at Carat and OMD Australia.
Gurgiel commented: “One of the reasons I joined Thinkerbell was I wanted to work in a really creatively driven agency that takes media and measurement seriously.
Nic Buckingham has returned from the US, where he was group creative director at David & Goliath, and has been appointed as head creative tinker, Lion on the Lion beer portfolio. Thinkerbell was appointed as the sole creative agency partner for Lion in August.
Buckingham commented: “I love beer, and I love what Thinkerbell are doing so this should be fun.”
Shannon Crowe has been appointed as head creative tinker. Crowe has worked at Clemenger BBDO and M&C Saatchi Australia.
On her appointment, Crowe said: “I’ve lost pitches to Thinkerbell too many times to remember. Can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!”