In this series, we’re taking a look at some of the most creative faces in Melbourne with some help from our friend Kathleen Gunther, who partners with independent agencies across Australia and New Zealand to scale their brand presence and drive sustainable growth. This week, we spoke with Camey O’Keefe, director of Gambol Creative.
1. How long have you been in Melbourne? If you weren’t born here, did you choose it or did it choose you?
Twenty years this year. Moved across in 2006, from my sunny hometown of Perth – where I grew up a total bush baby, in the gum tree surrounds of Whistle Pipe Gully. Moving to Melbourne felt a kind of kismet – reckon we chose each other.
2. What’s the most Melbourne thing about the way you or your team works?
Easy access to diverse cultural activity, which I take full advantage of at every opportunity.
I work to a definition of creativity Colleen DeCourcy (Co-President & Chief Creative Officer Wieden&Kennedy) shares:
“Creativity is connecting dots in a way that they haven’t been connected before”
Melbourne offers you the chance to readily collect dots from all manner of sources – be it art, music, literature, film or theatre and dance. Bars and restaurants, festivals and live sports. Pretty handy daytrips to natural beauty in there too. The list of creative inspo can indeed feel endless…
Melbourne is an incredibly vibrant dot collection hub, and this absolutely shapes how I work.
3. Who in the local industry has shaped the way you think about leadership or doing business? Tell us about them.
Lyndelle O’Keefe and her husband Chris – co Founders of Match & Wood.
They know their stuff and seek to do it well to build trust in their expertise. Don’t cut corners or wheel & deal, they are strategic and sincere in their craft. They’re also big fans of an integrated approach – genuine advocates of creativity as a driver of commercial growth – which is not always the case with media partners.
Personally, I have found them to be a brilliant sounding board in business – straight talk and support in equal measure.
4. Who’s someone in the Melbourne market doing work that deserves more attention right now?
Wonderboy Studio. One year in to starting their studio, the co-founders are creative, committed and kind. Uplifting to see young up-and-comers giving it a crack. Admire that they are going about it the “right way” – with a focus on doing great work + being good humans to work with. Reminds me the future of our industry is bright, as talent like this fuel the tune up we so obviously need in our game.
5. If you were a Melbourne landmark, what would you be?
Playful take on a park bench – love that it’s a little kooky but useful. Situated right smack bang in the centre of things, it soaks up the energy and inspiration of the city – while offering utility to those who need it. A beautiful mutual exchange.
Kathleen Gunther is the founder of Gunther Consulting, partnering with independent agencies across Australia and New Zealand to scale their brand presence and drive sustainable growth. With expertise spanning digital marketing, brand strategy, PR and business development, she brings the pragmatism, specialist connections and industry know-how to help agencies market their most important client — themselves.
