Independent creative agency Hardhat has appointed former WPP AUNZ group client director Kate Walker as general manager - Sydney, further accelerating the agency’s growth beyond its Melbourne headquarters.
In addition to longstanding Sydney-based relationships with Baiada (Steggles and Lilydale) and Superhero, the past 12 months have brought a string of new Sydney-based client assignments for Hardhat including Afterpay, Blooms the Chemist and CareerOne.
Walker joins Alice Tschuchnigg, Hardhat’s Sydney based client services director.
The agency expects to fill up to 10 additional roles in the coming weeks to further grow the Sydney team.
“I am beyond excited about the opportunity to do something really special as we grow the Hardhat offering in Sydney," Walker says.
"The ambition and the smarts of the team is only matched by their decency and integrity.
"I’m looking forward to creating an inspiring place where our clients and team can come together to do the best work of their careers."
Walker brings a wealth of senior agency and client management experience, with previous roles including General Manager at JWT Sydney (now Wunderman Thompson).
Within STW Group (now WPP AUNZ) Walker also started and grew culture and CX agency Human, that counted Accor Hotels, Medibank, NRMA and Westfield among its clients.
“Kate’s agency leadership experience and entrepreneurialism are exactly what we’ve been looking for to energise our growth in Sydney and to work with Alice in leading important client opportunities," Hardhat co-founder and managing director Justin Kabbani says.
"Over the past 12 months, demand has exploded from Sydney-based clients wanting Hardhat’s unique approach to building brands on behaviour.
"In Kate we’ve got a leader that can set our growing Sydney team up for success, as we on-board new clients and team members on the ground.”
Hardhat was founded in 2005 by Dan Monheit and Justin Kabbani.
The agency, now a team approaching 50, has clients including Bupa, Bega Dairy and Drinks, Lilydale, Steggles, Superhero, Simply Energy, Kogan.com, Victoria University and Carsales.
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