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 Lucinda Hodgson, lead client partner at Pinterest.
1. How long have you been in Melbourne? If you weren’t born here, did you choose it or did it choose you?
While I was technically born in Perth, my family moved to Melbourne before I turned one, so I feel very comfortable calling myself a Melburnian at my core.
I’ve been lucky enough to live overseas in Düsseldorf and Amsterdam, but Melbourne has always been home. It’s where I come back to; it’s where my people are.
I may have adopted the city as a personality trait. I love food, wine, music, art, festivals and markets, and I’m always ready to jump on a sporting bandwagon, depending on what’s in town.
2. What’s the most Melbourne thing about the way you or your team works?
I was employee number one for Pinterest in Melbourne. There are now three of us – and growing! So our postcode is the most Melbourne thing about it right now.
Establishing a boots on the ground team to go deep with our local partners was a priority for Pinterest in 2026, and I was thrilled to help kick start it.
We all work remotely, so the moments we get together with one another, or with our agency and brand partners, tend to happen in cafés and restaurants around the city. That makes café culture a pretty fitting answer. We’re slowly making our way through our ever growing must try lists.
3. Who in the local industry has shaped the way you think about leadership or doing business? Tell us about them.
I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with some brilliant leaders. Tim Holman was instrumental in getting me overseas and taught me how to build something from the ground up, with relentless hustle, optimism and a willingness to back yourself.
And of course, Sarah Raine, who was leading with empathy, creativity and deep strategic partnership long before it became an “official” leadership style.
Honestly, I could list another 10 incredible leaders. I’ve been very spoilt.
4. What’s your favourite Melbourne or Victorian campaign or project and why?
Hammerbarn and the Bunnings Rave both gave me that immediate, “damn, I wish I’d worked on that” feeling.
I love work that brings genuine fun and heart to everyday life. At Pinterest, I get to work with retailers to help people bring their big and everyday moments to life. We all want to cook great meals, look good at work and make our homes feel uniquely ours. The brands that help people step out of the daily grind or doom scroll, and make the act of buying something feel a little more joyful, are the ones that really stand out to me.
5. What Melbourne artist or band’s song would you choose as your ‘walk up’ song?
Anyone who knows me knows that belting out Tina Arena at the top of my lungs is very on brand, so the OG Mornington Queen deserves an honourable mention.
But for full walk up energy? Melbourne band Playlunch, because they know how to get a crowd going. Or Sampa the Great’s “Final Form”: unbeatable confidence, no notes.
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.
