Sydney, Australia — Independent agency Apparent has expanded its leadership team with three senior appointments, naming Gillian Dalla Pozza, Sam McGuinness, and Leisa Ilander as creative directors.
Ilander and Dalla Pozza, who previously worked together as associate creative directors at Dentsu Creative, have been appointed as joint creative directors. The pair, who have collaborated for more than a decade, were behind recent campaigns for THE ICONIC.
Ilander shared, “We’re passionate about odd-shaped ideas that make people feel something and deliver real impact, especially in digital and social spaces. Apparent is a growing agency with the talent and firepower to bring those ideas to life. I’m also fortunate to share this role with someone who can finish each other’s…”
“…sandwiches – and ideas too,” added Dalla Pozza. She continued, “Apparent is an agency with a shared vision, where big ideas, experience design, and best-in-class execution all come together. The chance to join at such a pivotal moment and be part of the team that helps shape where the agency is headed creatively is hugely exciting.”
Meanwhile, McGuinness joins as creative director, visual design, after holding roles at Canva, R/GA in Sydney and New York, Turner Duckworth, and Re. He will oversee Apparent’s brand, visual, and motion design teams, working alongside Cristina Douglas, who leads the agency’s experience design team.
“It feels like no one has quite cracked the integration of brand, visual, and experience design,” McGuinness said. “What really attracted me to Apparent is the way they put the customer at the centre of everything, creating work that doesn’t just look good, it’s deeply connected to how people actually think, feel and behave.”
Meanwhile, Hamish Stewart, chief creative and experience officer at Apparent, welcomed the new hires. “I’m incredibly excited to have Sam, Gill, and Leisa join the team. Modern brands are increasingly complex, coming to life across the brand experience. With the calibre of leaders we’re attracting, plus our flexibility, structure, and scale, we can bring best-in-class thinking to clients at pace. Best of all, all three are already adding immeasurably to our brilliant culture.”
Apparent’s client portfolio includes Google, Volkswagen, Audi, Optus, the Vanuatu Tourism Office, and Tip Top.
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