Sydney indie, Apparent, has made three major creative hires to manage its recent growth spurt.

Sam McGuinness joins as creative director, visual design. He will use his global experience including Canva, R/GA Sydney and New York, Turner Duckworth and Re, McGuinness to oversee the agency’s entire team of brand, visual and motion designers, working closely with Cristina Douglas who leads the agency’s experience design team.

McGuinness stated, “It feels like no-one has quite cracked the integration of brand, visual and experience design. 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.”

Leisa Ilander and Gillian Dalla Pozza join as joint creative directors, from Dentsu Creative, where they were associate creative directors and an award-winning creative duo with over a decade of successful campaigns under their belt as a team, including their most recent standout work for THE ICONIC, which won acclaim for its insight-driven and brand-building innovative use of media.

Ilander stated, “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,” adds Dalla Pozza. “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.”

Hamish Stewart, chief creative and experience officer at Apparent, stated, “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 continues to evolve with work that covers brand, experience, and communications, delivering ideas that connect with people no matter where they appear for clients including Google, Volkswagen, Audi, Optus, Vanuatu Tourism Office, Tip Top, and more.

Cover image l-r: Gillian Dalla Pozza, Sam McGuinness, Leisa Ilander