Advertising is nothing without the faces that bring it to life. From big-budget brand spots to grassroots campaigns, casting directors are the quiet force shaping the stories that land with audiences.
But finding the right people is no easy feat. It takes instinct, patience, and an eye for authenticity, skills these 13 casting directors have in spades. They’ve worked across everything from B&T Award winners to cheeky supermarket jingles and significant social change campaigns, and in the process have helped redefine what representation looks like on screen.
To compile this list, we tapped our industry contacts, studied the Casting Guild of Australia’s finest and more.
There’s still plenty of time to nominate for the upcoming categories, too. If you know anyone great who doesn’t get enough airtime—let us know! Next week, we’re taking a look at the Best of the Best media owner sales bosses.
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But for now, it’s all eyes on the best of the best in casting, the directors who know that every great campaign starts with finding the right people to tell the story.
10. Joseph Wijangco, i4Casting
Joseph Wijangco has been a cornerstone of the casting world since 1999. Starting young, he carved out a career that has spanned more than two decades and more than 1,500 campaigns, cementing his place as one of the industry’s most trusted names.
At the helm of i4 Casting in Sydney, which itself has just celebrated its 21st anniversary, Wijangco has collaborated with a wide spectrum of directors and brands, building a reputation for an uncanny ability to find the perfect fit for every brief. His work has contributed to multiple Cannes Lions winners, and his own accolades include a D&AD Pencil for Casting in Film Advertising as well as numerous CGA Awards.
Recent highlights showcase Wijangco’s range and relevance. From the iconic ‘You Don’t Send A Ute To Do A HiLux Job’ for Saatchi and Saatchi to Levande’s irreverent ‘Everyday Exceptional’ platform with 303 MullenLowe, a national campaign redefining retirement living.
Known for an intuitive grasp of what directors are seeking, often before they’ve even fully articulated it, Wijangco’s career is marked by both craft and instinct, making his influence felt across some of the most awarded and memorable campaigns of recent years.
9. Peta Einberg, Peta Einberg Casting
Peta Einberg has been a fixture in the casting world for nearly two decades, running her own company since 2006. What began as a one-woman operation has grown into a busy office with a packed trophy cabinet to match.
Known for a mix of sharp instincts and a knack for finding just the right faces, her work spans film, TV drama and commercials, though TVCs have become the beating heart of the business.
Her credits speak volumes. She’s been behind campaigns that have picked up major industry awards and turned heads across categories. Recent highlights include the Sydney Water’s musical ‘Save Our Sinks’ via Tag, which educated residents about FOG (fat, oil and grease) disposal with a choir of singing sinks.
Her versatility shows in work like the Australian Institute of Business’s MBA campaign with Cocogun and Good Oil Films that was equal parts catchy, humorous and strangely moving, and the transformative ‘Launch You’ platform for the newly merged Adelaide University, designed to inspire students, researchers, and innovators alike.
With a career stacked with standout campaigns and a reputation that comes highly recommended by peers, Einberg continues to prove why her office is one of the busiest and most respected in the business.
8. Stephanie Pringle and Alison Fowler, Chicken & Chips Casting
Stephanie Pringle and Alison Fowler were just 26 and 27 when they launched Chicken & Chips Casting in 2015. A decade on, they’ve built one of the most recognisable casting agencies in the country, trusted by global names like Nike, Bumble and Kayo, while also carving out space in the film world with projects like A Savage Christmas and Birdeater, both of which gained festival recognition.
From the outset, the duo set out to do things differently, embedding their philosophy of “Conscious Casting” into every brief. It’s an approach that looks beyond ticking boxes, considering the whole person and how identity can add meaningful dimensions to a story.
Their work has been awarded time and again, including winning B&T’s 30 Under 30 Entrepreneur category way back in 2018. Their ability to balance commercial briefs with social impact ensures their work resonates with both audiences and brands.
7. Danny Long, Danny Long Casting
Danny Long’s journey into casting has been anything but ordinary. She first completed a BSc in marine biology in 1989 with ambitions of working alongside Jacques Cousteau on documentaries, until his passing shifted the course of her career. Turning to acting, she graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in 1994 and spent years performing across theatre and television before deciding she preferred life on the other side of the camera.
From 2004 to 2010 she honed her skills at Barrett Casting, before launching Danny Long Casting in 2010. Since then, she has become one of the most respected names in the field, with more than two decades in the entertainment industry and a reputation for combining empathy with objectivity in the audition room. Her process is grounded in respect for actors, creating a relaxed but focused environment that consistently brings out the best performances – and she comes very highly recommended from our insider sources.
Her eye for talent extends far beyond the obvious. She’s known for finding fresh faces everywhere, from drama schools and comedians to independent theatre, kids’ drama programs and even chance encounters on the street. That intuitive casting radar has become her hallmark, ensuring every role is filled with the perfect fit.
Committed to diversity and inclusion as a proud member of the Casting Guild of Australia, Long’s work reflects both craft and conscience. Recent campaigns include the just-launched Australian Pork platform “Get Some Pork On Your Fork” via Dig, a swagger-filled, humorous reimagining of one of the country’s most famous taglines, built to spark joy around the dinner table.
6. Ben Parkinson, Ben Parkinson Casting
Ben Parkinson has been casting for more than 20 years, with a career that stretches across major motion pictures, independent films, international TV commercials and music videos. His experience working in New York, Los Angeles and across Australia has given him a broad perspective on storytelling and performance, making him a trusted collaborator for directors and brands alike.
Known for his instinctive eye and genuine compassion for both talent and the creative process, Parkinson has built a reputation as one of Australia’s most accomplished casting directors. His work balances craft and intuition, ensuring every project, whether a grassroots indie film or a big-budget commercial, lands with authenticity.
Earlier this year, his skills were on show in GWM’s ‘Chuck More In’ Cannon ute campaign via Thinkerbell. Recognised as one of B&T’s Campaigns of the Month, the work reimagined a classic Aussie phrase into a brand platform and highlighted Parkinson’s ability to find talent that embodies humour, relatability and storytelling all at once.
It’s this versatility, paired with a career of international scope, that continues to set Ben Parkinson Casting apart.
5. Ally Reynolds and Ellie Honigman, Northside Casting
Ally Reynolds and Ellie Honigman founded Northside Casting just a few years ago, but the Melbourne-based duo has already made their mark with some of the industry’s most high-profile campaigns. Their recent credits include bringing imagination to VIVA’s long-running ‘UnbeVIVAble’ platform with Hello, and humour to Sportsbet’s ‘Have a Crack’ campaign launched during the NRL season opener in Las Vegas.
Both come with strong pedigrees. Ally has been casting since 2016, drawing on her background as a performer and educator in drama, screen acting, music theatre, comedy and dance. She thrives in the room, working collaboratively with actors at every level to draw out their best performances.
Ellie began her career behind the camera in 2014 and has worked as both a casting director and talent agent in Melbourne and London. Known for her keen eye for emerging homegrown talent and her meticulous approach, she thrives under the fast pace of the industry, always going above and beyond for clients.
Together, Ally and Ellie bring complementary skills and a shared sense of humour to their work, making Northside Casting both approachable and highly professional. Committed to inclusivity and providing a safe environment for child actors, they’ve quickly become one of the most talked-about young casting agencies in Australia.
4. Megan D’Arcy and Nick Hamon, Nick Hamon Casting
Nick Hamon founded NHC in 1998 when he was just 26 years old, and over the past two decades he has grown it into one of the country’s most respected casting companies. Alongside his commercial work, Hamon has played a pivotal role in shaping the industry itself, as one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the Casting Guild of Australia (CGA). He served as Vice President between 2013 and 2016, advocating for the recognition and support of casting directors nationwide.
Megan, who joined the business after what was meant to be a short-term summer job, has since become an integral part of the team. With years of experience and a collaborative approach, she has balanced her career with raising two kids, bringing both dedication and humour to the casting process.
Together, their work continues to resonate across major brands. Recent highlights include ANZ’s ‘ANZ Plus’ platform via Special, which encouraged confident money management among younger Australians during a period of economic uncertainty. Directed by Matt Devine, the campaign exemplifies the thoughtful, contemporary casting that has kept NHC at the forefront of the industry.
3. Felicity Byrne, Byrne Creative
Originally from the US and now based in Sydney, Felicity Byrne has become one of Australia’s most respected casting directors, with Byrne Creative delivering some of the most memorable campaigns of recent years. Known for a bespoke approach that celebrates individuality and authenticity, she consistently finds people who are the perfect reflection of each brief, whether through traditional channels, street casting or research-led work.
Her recent credits span high-impact campaigns with wide cultural reach. In 2024, she cast Rebel’s ‘Sport Can Change Your Life’ platform via The Monkeys, showcasing the transformative journeys of everyday Australians like Olympian Sinead Diver and grazier Brendan Cullen. In 2025, she brought an emotive edge to SafeWork NSW’s ‘Safe at work. There for them’ campaign via 303 MullenLowe, authentically casting real families to highlight the stakes of workplace safety across diverse audiences.
Byrne also played a pivotal role in ABC iView’s ‘Always Free. Always Entertaining’ campaign via Howatson+Company, which cleverly channelled Love Island and teen sci-fi tropes to promote the platform as a free alternative during the cost-of-living crunch. The work went on to win B&T’s Best CTV Campaign, underscoring both its cultural resonance and executional strength.
With industry insiders quick to recommend her, Byrne’s casting work continues to elevate brands by telling stories that connect deeply with audiences.
2. Simone Landes, The Lifestyle Suite
Simone Landes, founder and director of The Lifestyle Suite (TLS Talent), has redefined what casting and representation look like in Australia’s health, lifestyle and sports sectors. With more than 25 years of experience in talent management, including senior roles at Macquarie Bank, she launched The Lifestyle Suite in 2013 as a specialist agency for experts in health and lifestyle.
Since then, she has built it into a pioneering talent house that now represents leading athletes and personalities, from Paralympian Ellie Cole and rally driver Molly Taylor to media mainstays like Dr Joanna McMillan and Dr Preeya Alexander.
Landes’ work is rooted in accurate and authentic representation. She was behind Ellie Cole’s groundbreaking appearance on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, the show’s first participant with a physical disability. Her agency’s placements have also extended across high-profile programs such as Good Chef Bad Chef and The Drum, ensuring diverse expert voices are embedded in Australia’s most visible conversations.
Her leadership extends internally as well. TLS Talent is independently owned and female-driven, with Landes and her second-in-command, Kate MacAlpine, fostering a collaborative culture that reflects the values of the talent they represent. Under her direction, the agency continues to elevate diverse perspectives, raising awareness of disability, LGBTQIA+ issues and gender equality while securing meaningful opportunities for talent across media.
In 2024, Landes’ contribution was formally recognised when she was awarded in the Casting Agent category at the B&T Women in Media Awards.
1. Natalie Jane Harvie, Citizen Jane
Natalie Jane Harvie, founder and director of Citizen Jane, has built one of Australia’s most distinctive casting agencies by combining the intuition of street casting with the craft of traditional approaches.
After more than 20 years as a professional singer, Harvie pivoted careers in 2010, launching Citizen Jane from the ground up with an eye for authentic, unforgettable faces. What began with pounding the pavement and grassroots discoveries has evolved with a team of street casters around the country, a vast talent database and a studio in Redfern.
Citizen Jane’s credits span some of the country’s biggest brands. Harvie has worked with Telstra, McDonald’s and Kia on campaigns that have become cultural touchpoints. Her casting for Telstra’s ‘This Is Footy Country’ was recognised with the Casting Guild of Australia Award for Best Casting in a TVC, proof of the power of casting in shaping a campaign’s impact. More recently, she cast Kia’s cheeky ‘Kia’s Getting a Ute’ (a B&T favourite) and McDonald’s ‘The Original Mouthful,’ as well as Telstra’s ‘Better On A Better Network,’ each showcasing her ability to elevate brand platforms through the faces that bring them to life.
Most notable is her work with Shift 20, which focuses on increasing disability representation in advertising and media. The Dylan Alcott Foundation launched the campaign with the goal of aligning representation with the actual percentage of Australians living with disabilities (around 20%).
Backed by her right-hand collaborator, Citizen Claire, and office dynamo, Citizen Gigi, Harvie has created a casting agency that blends professionalism with personality. Recommended by directors and production partners alike, she has become a powerhouse of the industry, known for finding the unfindable and delivering casts that make campaigns resonate well beyond the screen.
And that’s why she is B&T’s Best of the Best Casting Director!
