Independent experiential agency Yakusan has expanded its leadership team with Kristie Turner joining as client service director and Sarah Vierod as people, culture & planning director.
The agency said it comes at a time where they have built “strong momentum” over the past six months, due to increased demand for projects.
During this period, the agency has also welcomed brands to its client roster, including eBay, GWM and Nescafé/Nestlé.
Turner brings deep experience across integrated campaigns, brand strategy and human-centred storytelling.
Known for her meaningful, emotionally resonant work, in her new role as client service director she will shape client partnerships and elevate the agency’s end-to-end delivery.
“Yakusan have always stood out to me as genuine craftsmen. Smart thinking, beautiful detail, and an integrated approach that actually works,” Turner said.
“Right now, there’s a huge opportunity for brands to create experiences that feel truly human. In a time where people feel more disconnected than ever, bringing them together in meaningful ways matters.”
Meanwhile, Vierod’s role is newly created to support team development, capability building and agile resourcing across Yakusan’s permanent staff and specialist freelancers.
With a background spanning several of Australia’s top creative agencies, Vierod will lead Yakusan’s operational excellence and people-first culture, ensuring the rapidly growing team is supported structurally and creatively as Yakusan scales.
“My commitment is to harness my passion for people and creativity to create an environment where big ideas can thrive and where people are continuously learning, developing and growing,” Vierod said.
Yakusan founder and Managing Director Gilles Merry said the new appointments reflect both the resurgence of experiential work and the agency’s focus on building an agile team that will drive its next phase of growth.
“We’re seeing brand experience enter a new era – no longer a channel in isolation, but a critical part of the marketing mix. Clients need ideas that move seamlessly across brand, content, digital and live environments, requiring a more integrated approach,” Merry said.
“In an increasingly fragmented world, the ability to bring people together in meaningful, shared moments is what differentiates brands. These appointments are about strengthening the leadership and resourcing behind the work, so we can meet demand and keep raising the bar on what experience-led brand building looks like.”
In a move that will further strengthen Yakusan’s capabilities, the agency has also recently appointed an executive producer and account manager to its new space within the Special Group’s Surry Hills head office.
“We’re being very deliberate about how we grow and nurture our current talent,” Merry said.
“This isn’t about rapid expansion for its own sake. It’s about building the right team and structure to support the kind of work we want to be doing over the next few years.”
The agency is currently recruiting for a senior designer and an additional producer role.
