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 Christian Solomon, managing director of Spark Foundry.
1. How long have you been in Melbourne? If you weren’t born here, did you choose it or did it choose you?
This time around, nine years. But Melbourne has always felt like home. My family originates from here, although I was born in Lismore and grew up in Byron Bay in Northern New South Wales. I went to high school in Brisbane and lived there for a few years before moving to Melbourne in the early 2000s.
I then spent 10 years living and working in China before moving back to Melbourne in 2018.
So, I suppose Melbourne kind of chose me. I have had plenty of opportunities to live elsewhere, but Melbourne has always felt like home.
2. What’s the most Melbourne thing about the way you or your team works?
The Spark Foundry offices are right near South Melbourne Market, so I would have to say that.
On Wednesdays, we can head up the street for lunch and choose between the home of the South Melbourne dim sim or, my personal favourite, the fish sandwich from the stall outside Claypots.
It is a pretty great way to spend a lunch break.
3. Who in the local industry has shaped the way you think about leadership or doing business? Tell us about them.
I have been lucky to work with several great leaders at my previous holding company in both China and Australia, and now at Publicis Groupe. All of whom have shaped how I think about leadership and how I lead.
However, someone who has shaped my thinking significantly is Suzana Ristevski, CMO of Google AUNZ.
Suz is one of the most genuine people I know. She has reached the top of her profession but has always remained incredibly human in the way she operates.
She is direct, approachable and authentic, and the culture she built when she was at NAB was one of the many reasons I enjoyed working alongside her for eight years.
That combination of high performance and humanity is something I have always admired and try to bring into my own leadership.
4. What’s got you most excited about where the industry is heading locally?
I recently made the move to Spark Foundry and Publicis Groupe because I’d heard great things about the agency and the timing felt right. I’m excited about the
opportunities that come with being part of such an established connected agency group.
I believe the connected agency model will become increasingly important as technology continues to bring different parts of the industry closer together. The combination of media, data, technology, creativity and content creates the opportunity to solve bigger problems for clients in a more integrated way.
The pace of change through AI is particularly exciting. It will make many parts of our industry more efficient, but I think the real opportunity is using technology to make our thinking stronger, help us better understand audiences, and make the work we do for clients more effective.
5. If you (or the agency) had a Melbourne walk-up song, what would it be and why? This could be anyone from The Living End to Kylie Minogue. We are spoiled for choice…
‘Black Betty’ by Spiderbait. Big winning vibes.
Interestingly, I met the lead singer of The Living End’s dad a month ago. He is good friends with my 84-year-old aunt. Small world!
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 communications, she brings the pragmatism, specialist connections and industry know-how to help agencies market their most important client — themselves. Kathleen also serves as a Board Member of AWIA, actively shaping Australia’s digital landscape and championing inclusivity in the industry.
