Every good strategist knows the power of a unique angle. Designworks’ new senior strategist, Axel Dench is Merumeru, chief warrior of the Wookiees, in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.
He has also plotted game winning strategies as an NBL player.
Name one other adperson with a USP like that.
This is the quirky career history of Alex Dench, senior strategist, Designworks Melbourne:
- Represented Australia on the National Basketball Team & Squad 2001-2003
- Was awarded NBL ‘Rookie of the Year’ 2001
- Won NBL title with Wollongong Hawks 2001
- Played in NBA Summer Leagues with LA Lakers, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors & Portland Trailblazers 2001 & 2001
- Won three Division 1 NCAA WCC Conference titles with Gonzaga University 1998, 1999, 2000
- Won NBL title with South East Melbourne Magic 1996
“The Star Wars and basketball experiences were great in that they taught me the value of applied creative thinking. Knowing that this type of thinking was the platform for any success, I started to get more involved in strategy based work,” Dench noted.
He ‘got involved’ in the deep end – on blue chip Australian brands, and was central to the repositioning of CUB following its carve out of Treasury Wine Estates. Through his work in several communications agencies, Dench comes to Designworks Melbourne with additional capabilities in brand strategy activation.
Designworks Australia managing director, Brad Doble, commented, “Our strategy and design teams form a world-class combination. They have brilliant talent, great vision and work across an enviable client base. Axel brings a range of valuable experience – both agency-specific and broader life experiences – to this team and his strategic vision is one that aligns with our focus on brand experience.
Here, for the sports fans, is Dench’s NBL history:
- Adelaide 36ers Adelaide AUSTRALIA
- Melbourne Tigers Melbourne AUSTRALIA
- F.C. Porto Lisbon PORTUGAL
- F.C. Barreiro Barreiro PORTUGAL
- Panrico Treviso, ITALY
- Harbour Heat Auckland, NEW ZEALAND
- Wollongong Hawks Wollongong AUSTRALIA
- South East Melbourne Magic Melbourne AUSTRALIA
