Best Of The Best Experiential Producers, Presented By Finecast, Part Of GroupM Nexus

The past few years have certainly proven challenging for those in the experiential marketing realm. COVID smashed the brakes on in-person gatherings, forcing us into a hitherto unknown world of tedious webinars and half-baked metaverse activations.
But, as you’ll see, these experiential producers are the best in the business and have managed to thrive despite the challenging landscape.
These lists are compiled following consultation with B&T‘s trusted industry insiders. Who’s doing the best work? Who deserves a shout-out? Who is setting the pace of change? Those are the questions we’re asking. And, as ever, while this is a top 10, we’re splitting hairs between each person on the list.
Our other recent Best of the Best lists covered Casting Directors, Social Changemakers, Media Planning Directors, Consumer PRs and Developers — along with a host of other adland disciplines beforehand. So, here are the Best of the Best Experiential Producers.
10. Rosie Thompson-Jones, head of experiential & events, Yakkazoo
Thompson-Jones is a relatively recent arrival to the Yakkazoo stable, having joined the company in the middle of September. However, her appointment was something of a coup for the firm. Her CV has all the most important companies from the experiential sector — including the likes of George P Johnson and INVNT. What’s more, Thompson-Jones’ experience is vast. She has worked events across pharmaceutical, automotive, technology, finance, media, and IT and led FMCG B2C and B2B campaigns. It’s still early days but she is already proving an asset to Yakkazoo.
9. Olivia Randall, head of experience, Jack Morton Australia
Randall has been with Jack Morton for almost a decade in various roles, starting as a production coordinator back in 2014 before her current head of experience role. Over that time, Randall has seen the industry change dramatically, describing the past few years as a “circuit breaker” that has redefined the relationship between creative and production. Jack Morton’s clients, including some of the country’s biggest brands in BWS, Samsung and Telstra, are clearly reaping the benefits of Randall’s experience and expertise.
8. Edward Woolrych, head of projects, Rizer
Woolrych has been with Rizer for the last four years, rising (sorry) from an executive producer to head of projects in September last year. While Woolrych has spent his entire career in the events business, he had a three-year stint as the chief operating officer at New York-based RAIOLA/Co. This variety of experience has given Rizer a distinct advantage over its competition. The agency has also been producing memorable experiences for Louis Vuitton, the FIFA Women’s World Cup and Qantas.
7. Mimi Fitzpatrick, executive producer, INVNT
Fitzpatrick has been with INVNT for close to five years, joining as a producer and having spent more than seven years with Rizer. Now executive producer, Fitzpatrick has delivered huge branded experiences for Netflix and has worked across the entirety of APAC, rather than focusing solely on Australia. Most recently, INVNT presented the Discovery Stage at SXSW Sydney which covered everything from design innovation, space and robotics to the convergence of art and AI.
6. Michal Frydrych, head of events, Akcelo
Frydrych joined Akcelo as events director in October 2020 — yes, right at the height of the pandemic. That move, however, demonstrated a remarkable amount of foresight with Akcelo going on to be crowned the best Experiential/Promotional Agency at the B&T Awards last year. And, wouldn’t you know it, the agency is in the running for the gong again this year. Under Frydrych’s auspices has gone on to produce remarkable brand experiences and events for the likes of TikTok, Netflix, McDonald’s and more.
5. Stefania Barba, account director, The Company We Keep
You’ll have to forgive the job title — Barba is still very much in the production game. She came to us for this list very highly recommended. She has been with The Company We Keep for almost three years, following a five-year stint at George P Johnson. During her time with The Company We Keep, Barba has worked on huge projects for the likes of Salesforce, WalkMe and Amazon Web Services including leading the gargantuan Salesforce World Tour events.
4. Claire Hewitt, executive producer, Amplify
Hewitt has spent almost eight years with Amplify across two stints — first in the company’s London office before upping sticks and moving to Sydney. Last year, she was promoted from senior producer to her current exec producer role amid a host of new client wins. During her time with the agency, it has produced some huge events and activations for the likes of TikTok, Canva, Google and Levi’s.
3. Vanessa Rolfe, director of client services, The Misfits Media Company
Rolfe has been with The Misfits since November 2018 and she has led the team to produce incredible events and experiences for a wide array of clients across Australia and beyond. These clients include the likes of Snowflake, ADB and TPG Telecom. Recently, Rolfe scooped a Vibes Award for her services and contribution to the industry. She also leads an admittedly small but crack team of producers to bring events such as the B&T Awards (buy your tickets now), The Crocodile Awards and the small matter of Cannes in Cairns to life.
2. Sharice Bellantonio, partner & event director, Usual Suspects
Bellantonio launched Usual Suspects with her business partner Shani Langi in 2016 and scooped our Best of the Best Experiential Producer gong in 2021. Over the course of the pandemic, Bellantonio led the team to navigate the remarkably choppy waters with aplomb. She launched Inside Sets, for example, a series of hybrid virtual concerts that allowed artists to provide an income for themselves, production crews and charity partners. Since the pandemic ended, Usual Suspects has gone on to produce UnLtd’s Big Dream, ADMA’s Global Forum and events for Guzman Y Gomez and UN Women Australia.
1. Miles Scott, partner & chief operating officer, Akcelo
Scott founded Akcelo in 2020 along with his fellow former VMLY&R execs Dave Di Veroli and Aden Hepburn. In the three years since, the company has gone on to become a truly full-service agency operating across creative, digital, social, content, CRM, technology and data as well as brand experiences. Its growth has been remarkable, with the agency now employing more than 150 staff in its very swish Redfern offices. It has produced exceptional work for clients including McDonald’s, Amazon, Tinder, CUB and more. Plus, it scooped B&T’s Emerging Agency Award in 2021 and our Experiential Agency Award at last year’s B&T Awards. Scott was our Best of the Best Experiential Producer last year, too. Clearly, there is still much, much more to come from Scott and the rest of the team.
Please login with linkedin to comment
Best of the bestLatest News

Air New Zealand & Bastion Shine Save Christmas With Their Latest Campaign
When it comes to New Zealanders, are they really just glorified Tasmanians who are much better at sport?

Google To Pay $111m To News Publishers In Canada
Google lumped with latest $100 million-plus fine. Which, when it's all said & done, is like 50 cents to the rest of us.

Thursday TV Ratings: The Chase Takes The Crown For Entertainment
Much like navigating the single-malt whiskey menu at Rockpool, Thursday night TV proves a tricky one for network bosses.

Before Adland: Luke Spano’s High-Stakes Switch
The Avid Collective MD reveals his life pre-adland. As exciting as it is, it's not international playboy spy & Lothario.

New Study Busts Aussie Advertisers Over False “Clean, Green & Sustainable” Claims
Aussie adland in strife over some of its 'green' claims. By that we mean environmental claims, NOT fibrous vegetables.

Network 10’s Rod Prosser On TV Ratings: “One Measurement System Is Better For The Industry”
The only thing B&T would love more than a chat with Rod Prosser would be a game of squash. Yes, he's a 'yellow dot' man.

It’s Friday Quiz Time Again!
Take B&T's trivia quiz for your chance to win a $100 booze voucher and possible cirrhosis of a major internal organ.

Innocent Bystander Wines Challenge The Boring With New Campaign
As the Latins famously say "in vino veritas" or "in wine, there is truth". And, truthfully speaking, B&T hated this ad.

Apple Enlists Taika Waititi For Gorgeous (& Not Christmas) New Work!
Think the month leading into Christmas is all Curtis Stone's Christmas prawns? It's Apple to the rescue today, readers.

Clean Up Australia Unveils Brand Refresh Via uberbrand
Do you have "litterbug" on either your resume or LinkedIn profile? Change your trashy ways immediately on this news.

Musk: Advertisers “Go Fuck Yourselves”
B&T warns this article contains language readers may find offensive. And by that we don't mean Elon Musk.

Triple M Puts The Gold Back In The Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is Australia's "glitter strip". That is if you think bogans, bikies & personal trainers are "glitter".

SenateSHJ Launches New Trans-Tasman Practices
SenateSHJ has launched a new digital, data and insights capability designed to help clients tackle the growing complexity of communication challenges. SenateSHJ Digital, Data and Insights (DDI) will combine the firm’s existing Digital and Insights functions to create a Trans-Tasman capability focused on digital communication, and the generation and use of data to improve communication. […]

Nova Shakes Off Swift Mania With Dedicated Station
Want to make yourself the most despised person in the office? Read on with the launch of Taylor Swift radio.

QMS CEO John O’Neill On His Plans To Get OOH Spend Up To 20% (Watchout TV!)
B&T's chatting with outdoor supremo, QMS' John O’Neill. Eerily the outdoors never got mentioned in any small talk.

AANA’s New Code Means Stricter Rules Apply To Advertising To Children
There are now stricter ad rules applying to kids. Yet, nothing a bottle of Fanta & a box of Froot Loops can't fix.

New BrandStory Format From Bonzai Allows 3x More Ad Space on Mobile
Creative technology platform Bonzai has announced the launch of BrandStory – a new premium mobile ad format. BrandStory offers triple the ad space and 2.8 times greater time in view than single scroll ad formats, addressing the surging demand from brands worldwide for more real estate to drive real results by seamlessly intertwining awareness, exploration […]

“Cut The Crap!” Piers Morgan Sensationally Outs “Royal Racists” On His TV Show
The corgis, anyone in the Palace with a funny hat & even Camilla off the hook, as Piers delivers royal racist dirt.

Wednesday TV Ratings: 365,000 Sign Up To Watch The Last EVER Hot Seat on Nine
Mrs McGuire reportedly unhappy about Eddie loafing about the house after Nine cans Hot Seat.

B&T’s Search For Australia’s Greatest Ad Heads To Channel 7
B&T went through the looking glass this morning, with editor-in-chief David Hovenden (above) appearing on Channel 7’s The Morning Show to get the general public involved in our search for Australia’s Greatest Ad. Hovenden chatted with Kylie Gillies and stand-in host Matt Doran about what makes a great ad and showcasing some of our favourites […]

It’s The Best Of The Best – Directors Of First Impressions, Presented By Finecast, Part Of GroupM Nexus
They're the ones with the best hair and the whitest teeth! Yes, it's adland's top 10 directors of first impressions.

Opinion: The Tall Planner’s Kate Smither On The DBA Dilemma
The science is not in question – smarter people than I, with far more data, have codified it. The logic is not up for grabs…it makes sense that creating mental shortcuts to your brand keeps you at the top of your mind. Lead image: Kate Smither – Owner, The Tall Planner I wouldn’t even take […]

Ortto & Tall Bob Partner To Deliver Better SMS & MMS For Australian & NZ Businesses
Two Australian-born technology providers have joined forces to bring more power and choice to marketers in Australia and New Zealand with mobile messaging that is more local, cost-effective, and integrated. It’s a partnership that sees two Australian software companies come together to deliver a world-class mobile-first solution for marketers building data-driven, personalised, omnichannel campaigns. While […]

PubMatic Nabs Luke Smith From Seven West Media
Seven's Luke Smith quits for PubMatic. However, he's still in line for one of James Warburton's annual Christmas hams.

Slew Of New Hires At Snap Inc.
Snap Inc. has announced a number of new recruits. B&T unaware if it positively impacted SEEK's share price.

Michael McLacren Confirmed As Deb Knight Replacement For 2GB Afternoons
Think AM radio has a bit of an angry boys' club feel? It's not improving things with this news.

Reddit Gets Playful Brand Refresh
This will be of interest to any Reddit fans, graphic designers or lovers of an orange so bright it burns the retinas.

World Square Counts Down To Christmas With Sydney’s Biggest Advent Calendar
Hopefully this news will get you in the Christmas spirit. Either that or go and stand in Westfields for nine hours.

Zitcha & Broadsign Partner To Drive Global In-Store Retail Media Market
Zitcha and Broadsign have teamed up to integrate the Broadsign out-of-home (OOH) advertising platform with Zitcha’s retail media platform. The collaboration empowers retailers to maximise and monetise in-store digital display networks and enables advertising partners to easily view and book available in-store inventory and review campaign performance alongside the retailer’s other media channels. With the […]

B&T’s Search For Australia’s Greatest Ad Part 5!
B&T's vote for Australia's greatest-ever ad is much like the recent referendum sans the mudslinging and Kamahl.

Ignite the Thrill: National Drag Racing Championship Unleashes Media Campaign Via Murmur Group
If there's one sport in the world that's thumbing its nose at global emissions, it's probably drag racing.

Rethink Ink: Is It About Time You Reconsidered Print?
Print's not merely an excellent vehicle for brands, it's also perfect for getting the barbecue alight for the sausages.

Double Rainbouu & 7-Eleven Launch Exclusive Summer Fashion Label
Today, 7-Eleven has announced a one-of-a-kind collaboration with the popular Sydney-based anti-resort wear label Double Rainbouu. Dropping tomorrow, December 1, just in time for summer, this limited-edition capsule will infuse the fashion brand’s rebellious spirit with a distinctly iconic 7-Eleven flavour. The unisex collection features five must-have styles comprising two signature Hawaiian shirts, a peaked cap, a bucket hat […]

Cannes In Cairns Media Accreditation Open Now!
Work in media? Want to cover next year's Cannes In Cairns? There'll be no free piña coladas without this form.

In-House Agency Council Research Report: 78% Of Marketers Now Work With An In-House Agency
In-housing is definitely an industry hot button topic. Admittedly still a long way behind office affairs.

OMA Announces Winners Of The Q3 Creative Collection Competition
Who doesn't love the out of home medium? Apart from the very real chance of being shat on by a bird.