Honest Conversations | Purpose-Driven Agency Leaders on Navigating a Market in Flux

Retainers aren't the safety net they used to be. AI is reshaping how agencies deliver. And being the "ethical option" isn't the differentiator it once was. So where do we go from here?

This October, three leaders of established, innovative and values-driven agencies join us for a candid conversation on what's actually working right now, what isn't, and where they see the industry heading.

Oliver Pelling (GOOD&PROPER), Jen Sharpe (Think HQ), and Michael McConville (free studio) will share what they've learned navigating a changing market, without compromising on the values that got them there. Moderated by Matt Bray (Comms Declare).

This is a generous, practical conversation from leaders who've been through it and have learned a thing or two along the way. 

What we'll cover:

• Navigating shifting retainer and revenue models

• Where AI is changing delivery, and where to draw the line

• Staying commercially viable without compromising on values

• What they'd tell someone starting out, or running solo, today

📆 When: Tuesday October 27th, 6pm for a 6:30pm start. Panel runs 45 minutes, followed by Q&A and networking. Light refreshments provided.

📍 Where: Melbourne central location

👉🏽 Limited capacity - Please book your spots - Free event

Brought to you by Comms Declare and Climates

https://commsdeclare.org/

Jen Sharpe | Founder & Managing Director | Think HQ

Jen Sharpe is the Founder and Managing Director of Think HQ, an integrated communications agency that is committed to reaching Today’s Australia. Founded 16 years ago, Think HQ has grown from a solo operator into a full-service, 110+ person business spanning Melbourne and Sydney.  

In 2019, Jen led the acquisition of multicultural communications specialist CultureVerse, extending the agency's mission into inclusive campaigns for government and corporate clients across Australia.  In 2024, she also acquired Loud communications in Sydney.

Jen leads with a simple conviction: doing good and running a great business aren't mutually exclusive. Under her leadership, Think HQ has become one of the largest independent agencies and has built one of the most diverse teams in the Australian agency landscape. She has been recognised with the Mumbrella Industry Leader of the Year award, the B&T Women in Media Entrepreneur of the Year award, B&T Diversity Champion, and Campaign Asia's Woman Leading Change of the Year.

Oliver Pelling | Founder & Managing Director | Good & Proper

Oliver Pelling is the Founder and Managing Director of Good&Proper, a B Corp creative comms agency that works with organisations that are hell-bent on bettering our collective future. With a background in journalism and advertising copywriting, Ollie and the G&P team work across PR, social media, creative, content, production and strategy, and apply a story-first approach to all of their work. Across its first six years of business, G&P has donated $174,726 to a range of non-profit partners, and over delivered over $100,000 of pro- or low-bono support. Prior to G&P, Ollie freelanced for five years, writing for the music and skateboarding magazines he grew up reading and a number of Australia’s leading ad agencies, before gradually turning his focus towards impact-driven work. He has two daughters, aged six and eight, and he hopes to one day be able to tell them that he did his best to unfuck their future. 

Michael McConville | Founder & Director

IPA Effectiveness, D&AD and Cannes Lions winner. Former Partner at Engine/WCRS, former Managing Partner at adam&eveDDB and former Global CEO at cummins&partners. Campaigns across Volkswagen UK & Global, John Lewis, Capital One, Royal Navy & Marines, BMW, Ford and Marriott Group.