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 Georgina Pownall, managing partner at By All Means.
1. How long have you been in Melbourne? If you weren’t born here, did you choose it or did it choose you?
I grew up in the sunny climes of Perth and did a lot of world travel in my early twenties. I moved to Melbourne for just one year, over 25 years ago. Once here, I fell in love with everything but the weather. But I kinda get it’s the unpredictable climate that is part of the recipe that makes Melbourne one of the best cities in the world.
2. What’s the most Melbourne thing about the way you or your team works?
By All Means is located in the heart of the city, and we’re inspired by it all. The rumble of the trucks, the ever changing graffiti, the wafting music of the buskers, the reversing delivery vans, the occasional incoherent verbal melee and the delicious smell of the cuisine of countless cultures wafting up to our 1st floor window… which always inspires us to ask, “what’s for lunch today?”
3. Who in the local industry has shaped the way you think about leadership or doing business? Tell us about them.
There’s so many – it’s a super dynamic industry, and one with many awesome people. Along the way, from my very early days at The Campaign Palace, CEO Reg Bryson taught me so much about delving into a client’s business to extract strategic gems as a base for creative greatness. He’s the one that said, an insight is a revelation, not an observation.
And so many more inspire me today: Firstly, my partners at By All Means who constantly challenge me to be better. I’m also inspired by the sartorial and sage Cam Carter. Nat Taylor, for her brilliant, kind production company, Poppet. ECD Fiona Leeming who balances intelligence with humour. Will and Joe at Half Dome, for building a powerhouse media team. Phoebe Sloane for leading the charge on The Aunties mentoring group. Fran Clayton for her powerhouse strategic thinking and my mate, Rebecca Stambanis, for making something very Special in Australia, and beyond. And I can’t forget my talented and tenacious husband, writer Andy Segal.
4. What’s one unspoken rule of doing business in Melbourne?
I think Melburnians understand the importance of reciprocity. And, we’ll be thoughtful and/or gracious without a need for an immediate return: just ‘cause.
5. If you were a Melbourne landmark, what would you be?
Probably the Queen Vic Market. There’s lots of different offerings, none of them cookie cutter, but bespoke and of high quality.
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.
