We are Block.
\ A 20-YEAR-OLD-STARTUP
Founded on April 1, 2002, Block is the love child of (formerly) globe-trotting creative couple Tanya Sim and Mark Braddock. From its less-than-salubrious beginnings in Mark’s parents’ poolroom, Block has grown into Western Australia’s first (and we would argue, only) full-service brand-first agency delivering strategic creative advertising and design outcomes. From our inception, we have stayed true to our founding ambition to produce communications that are once exciting and sensible.
We’ve been committed to thinking big and delivering bigger; to crafting solutions that extend naturally from the personality of our clients’ businesses, services, and products. As we enter our third decade in business, we continue to produce work that is honoured at major award shows across Australia, Asia, North America and Europe, all thanks to a world-beating team of exceptionally smart people who have chosen to work with us and to make Block their own.
Block is a curated team of internationally-experienced, multi-talented, world-class questioners, thinkers, creators, and doers. We’ve got the depth, experience, and track record to deliver projects of any scale on your deadline, while ensuring that our senior team is always directly involved.
We don’t believe in ‘off-the-shelf’ or ‘one-size-fits-all’; we always go deeper. We identify opportunities, expand thinking, and craft practical solutions that help your business stand out, communicate effectively, and succeed.
\ AN ANTIDOTE TO ILL-CONSIDERED CAPITALISM
Block builds brands and campaigns that are an antidote to ill-considered capitalism by focusing on creating effective, well-thought-out solutions that are responsible and sustainable.
Through careful analysis of markets, competitors, and audiences, we craft creative outcomes that align with your goals, values, and objectives, while responding to market trends and demands. This is how we ensure that you’re well-positioned for success
\ OUR SERVICES
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Brand Research
Brand Strategy
Brand Positioning
Brand Architecture
Brand Identity and Naming
Brand Guidelines and Systems
Brand Tracking -
Advertising Campaign Development
Content Development and Writing
Media Planning and Buying
Social Media Marketing
Public Relations Email and Direct Marketing
Event and Experiential Marketing
Employee Engagement and Recruitment Marketing -
Website Design and Development
Print Design and Production
Still and Moving Image Creation
Packaging Design
Signage and Environmental Graphics
Trade Show and Event Booth Design
Point-of-Sale Design
Merchandise Design and Sourcing
\ OUR PEOPLE
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Tanya is the ‘cultural compass’ of Block. She’s also the CEO and Co-founder, alongside Mark Braddock, her partner in all things, including raising their two children and growing the company into one of Australia’s leading brand-first agencies—from the pool room of his parents' home. Not bad for a sporty schoolgirl who wasn’t sure what she wanted to do until she got into interior design after meeting Mark, before landing a plum job in the US, designing a store and spa in Soho, NY, for Helena Rubinstein. But Tanya has a grit and tenacity that belie her immediate warmth, humanity, and charm.
At Block, you’ll find her behind it all, juggling competing demands, with management and financial oversight on everything, plugging holes, troubleshooting, and supporting every employee and every client, even when the going gets tough.
As Tanya explains, “I’m proud of building a business with Mark that has stood the test of time—through lots of ups and downs. I’m proud of all the great people we’ve employed and all the great clients we’ve helped succeed. It’s really satisfying.”
And Tanya hasn’t just stopped at building Block. As a mental health advocate and campaigner, she fights hard for social causes close to her heart and sits on so many boards, groups, committees, councils, and leadership programs it’s impossible to list them all here. So don’t tangle with Tanya unless you’re ready to join her at 5.30am for a boxing session!
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A kid who just loved to draw. Well, Mark Braddock is still that kid, but he’s also the brilliant, brave, ballsy creative entrepreneur who, together with his partner Tanya, grew Block out of his parents’ poolroom into one of Australia’s leading brand-first agencies. Mark pretends it was all by accident, involving his dad forcing him to study design instead of art, a series of dull ad agency jobs, a lucky winning entry to Cannes Young Lions to represent Australia, and of course, the Tanya factor. But don’t let that fool you—Mark is one of the most naturally gifted creatives around and a lot more ambitious, gutsy, and driven than his bearded and mumbling appearance suggests.
After winning his ticket to Cannes, his talent earned him senior roles at Ogilvy New York on IBM, American Express, and Jaguar, and later at the creative powerhouse of The Martin Agency on Target, Olympus, Saab, and US Trust.
Despite the big awards and major accounts, Mark always dreamed of building something with Tanya that meant more than just success. A place where creativity can unleash real positive change for clients, consumers, and the world. It didn’t exist when they returned to Perth, so they built it.
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David’s calm demeanour and insatiable creative curiosity make him a perfect leader here at Block. A down-to-earth Yorkshireman whose love of design has taken him across the world, he now drives our creative teams to transform the business of our clients. David’s career has always reached higher and further than expected. Starting from humble beginnings, in what he describes as “a creative blackspot in North Yorkshire”, he learned his craft as an art worker for one of the major UK banks, before rapidly rising through the ranks of design agencies on both sides of the globe, from Junior Designer to Design Director, and today, Block’s Creative Director.
His business sector experience is equally broad, spanning brand design and campaigns from Finance, Automotive, Property, and Infrastructure to The Arts, Health and Wellbeing, Retail, and FMCG. And though his work has been recognised by Graphis, ARC Awards, AGDA, and Best Awards New Zealand, his passion has always been for creativity that results in real change.
As David explains, “Outcomes that transform someone’s business is what I’m here to lead. And never being satisfied with work that’s just ok, because that’s never ok with me.”
David believes in the philosophy of his design hero Neville Brody, who revolutionised design and typography by focusing on the impact it has on how you perceive, react, and interact with it. High standards indeed, but as David concludes, “You better go big, or go home!” As a partner in Block’s future, you can expect big things from him and us.
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Nat has a rare talent for solving complex creative problems. Whether as a newspaper editorial artist, the founder of original retail experiences, or leading communications and engagement teams, her ability to make creativity both inspiring and functional means design always delivers real-world impact.
Which is exactly why she’s Block’s Director of Special Projects, focused on initiatives beyond our core business. Raised on a farm east of Perth, surrounded by bush and covered in automotive grease, Nat’s always had a love of wild ideas—and the practical drive to make them work. Her design career began at Perth Tech before she quickly found herself on the back bench of a major daily newspaper, learning the ropes of design, deadlines, and most importantly, people. People are central to Nat’s approach.
Whether in her store, her strategy, or her design thinking, she believes design is inherently social. It’s not about working for people, but with them to connect, influence, and create with purpose and clarity. Nat works alongside Mark Braddock across project management, strategic direction, relationship building, and creative development to ensure our special ventures are structured, measurable, and aligned with broader business goals.
Her motto? “Do it properly, or don’t bother.” We like her style.
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Adam loves it when the stakes are high, the deadlines are tight, and the stakeholder dynamics are complex, which makes him perfect for our Director of Business Development. He just thrives on the pressure, turning challenges into solutions, new clients into long-term partners, and tumultuous times into opportunities for success. How does he do it? Decades of experience in brand strategy and client relationship management across almost every industry sector in both the UK and Australia, coupled with a real-world understanding of both business and people through his unique global perspective.
From leading the rebrand of London’s iconic Albert Hall to managing the intricate refresh of Al Jazeera during the Arab Spring and shaping global narratives for EY and Qatar 2022, Adam’s cool head and warm heart have always brought the best out of both his client and agency teams.
As Adam points out, “I’ve learned that success in branding and marketing is deeply rooted in understanding people. Connecting with clients, leading teams, and resonating with audiences all hinge on the human element.”
He is well qualified to understand diverse perspectives. With a degree in commerce from the University of Western Australia, a globe-trotting career, and a passion for acting, Adam can see things from many different points of view and align them with calm precision, putting all the players and pieces in place to achieve the best result. As Adam simply concludes, “Whatever you want to create, you can build it at Block.”
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Josh is a general managing-producer type who’s spent 20years delivering high-end, effective projects and helping businesses grow. He’s worked across brands, not-for-profits, creative agencies, and production companies. He’s known for craft and care, and a belief that those two things, done well, are what truly build business.
His objective is to deliver on business and creative vision through harmonious collaboration. In 2022, Josh led a regenerative agriculture film project for Farmer’s Footprint Australia, a not-for-profit transforming the food system and improving human health through regenerative farming. In2023, Josh led the project team that brought the FIFA Museum presented byHyundai to Sydney for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand2023. And he has led other well-known and recognised experiential projects including NAB Break Up, ANZ GAYTMs, NRMA Car Creation, and History ChannelUnforgotten Soldiers.
Josh’s client list includes Amazon, Google, Telstra, Airbnb, Uber, IKEA, Heineken, Optus, Volkswagen, Ford, Mars, GAP, the Art Gallery ofNSW, City of Sydney and Sundance Film Festival. He’s judged at advertising shows including at the Cannes Lions in 2018 where he was a member of the awarding jury in the inaugural Brand Experience & Activation category and was acknowledged in the 40 Under 40 for AdNews Australia at age 28.
Josh sees his role as a creativity nurturer who make things happen, meets deadlines, and increases productivity and profitability.Timelines and targets are a given. What Josh adds is heartbeat.
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Melissa, aka ‘The Wrangler,’ grew up rounding up sheep and growing wheat on a farm in Ballidu—perfect credentials for our Director of Client Services. She knows how to steer everyone in the right direction with a few empathetic prods, a sharp eye for navigating obstacles, and a calm yet fierce determination to get the job done on time and ready for market. These qualities also drove Melissa’s career across continents and industries, from pharmaceuticals, medical, education, and government to finance, engineering, property, and naturally, agriculture. But the achievements she’s proudest of are what she calls “high-involvement brands” that really move people’s hearts and minds.
Melissa loves working with behavioural change organisations and purpose-led brands that shift people’s thinking and actions. She’s brilliant at reading the room, understanding the problem, thinking laterally, and negotiating a win for everyone. Her wrangling skills benefit almost every client, team member, and project at Block.
Not one for the spotlight, Melissa takes pride in having a hand in all the good that comes out of Block. As she says, whenever she mentions she works at Block, people are instantly impressed.
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Chantal is something of a magician. A very useful trait to have as our Studio & Production Manager. She can pull anything out of the many hats she wears, juggling her ‘creative’ hat, her ‘managing’ hat and her ‘production’ hat, that all sit on a very smart and practical head. When others think there’s nowhere to turn and nothing will work, ‘Hey Presto!’, Chantall finds a solution to make it happen on time, on budget, and on brief.
Naturally, she studied Screen Arts at Curtin University, and then started working her magic as a freelance producer and coordinator on a myriad of commercials, radio and long form film productions for Mad kids, Sandbox Productions, No Things Productions and as Studio Producer at Soundbyte. Since we snagged her at Block, she also completed her MBA in Business Administration, adding a few more amazing tricks to her skills.
But her most supernatural ability is not about her, but about what she brings out of everyone else. Growing up in South Africa, Chantal’s most magical word is ‘Ubuntu’ - a word she says means, “we are a village and we don’t stand alone. We face everything together. The struggles and the celebrations. Together we are always stronger.” So, looking out for each other, learning from each other and pushing each other to achieve something wonderful, whatever the challenges we face, is the true magic she believes in.
Solving problems together has always been her happy place, and we couldn’t be happier to have her at Block.
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Born in Moscow and shaped professionally in London, Kseniya is a strategist with appetite, for insight, for meaning, for the kind of future-forward thinking that actually changes how brands show up. With over a decade spent shaping brand, experience and innovation strategy across the creative and consultancy world, she’s partnered with global clients in fashion, beauty, tech, luxury, property and retail, driving ideas that are purposeful and built to grow.
Her path to Block arrived via a passport and a love story, relocating to Perth because her partner is from here, and honestly, we’re the luckier for it. At Block, Kseniya brings that rare combination of global perspective and local optimism: sharp strategic instincts, a deep curiosity about human behaviour, and a relentless focus on what a brand stands for, not just how it looks.
Outside the studio she’s mama to an energetic toddler, which means her strategic thinking is matched by next-level stamina, patience, and the ability to adapt fast.
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Nic brings over 30 years of experience as an Executive Producer, having managed multi-media campaigns for major players in Melbourne, London, and Perth. At Block, she applies her expertise in strategic planning, team building, and quality control as Project & Delivery Lead. Nic’s passion for creative work remains strong, as she loves mentoring talent and assembling the perfect team for each project.
Outside of Block, she advocates for sustainable careers in the arts and screen industries in Western Australia, helping artists reach wider audiences. Nic’s leadership ensures Block stays true to its values while consistently delivering exceptional results.
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Georgia brings a creative yet process-driven mindset to Block, strengthening operations and raising standards as Senior Account Manager. With a background in Contemporary Fashion and Textiles, she pairs creative instinct with structured thinking to navigate demanding projects.
Her experience as a Production Coordinator in natural history television — working with National Geographic, Sky Nature and Discovery Channel — sharpened her ability to coordinate large-scale productions, manage competing priorities and keep moving parts aligned under pressure. Since joining Block, she’s made a significant impact, known for her calm approach and ability to keep jobs moving without missing a beat.
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Jack began his creative journey as a tattoo artist straight out of high school, before expanding his canvas at a signage shop while completing his Graphic Design degree at Edith Cowan University. His career took off in Amsterdam, where he joined Dentsu ACHTUNG! and developed a passion for international, innovative design across advertising, branding, and digital media, contributing to projects that earned six silver Cannes Lions. Reflecting on his time abroad, Jack says: “Amsterdam really changed my world. It showed me what progressive design can do when you experiment, have fun, and aren’t afraid to break the rules.”
Back in Australia, Jack’s career continued to grow across agencies and clients spanning automotive, healthcare, government, culture, and telecommunications. He now leads as Senior Creative at Block, creating award-winning work for clients like Perth is OK! while connecting design to strategy, colour, motion, and tone.
Jack is also a dedicated mentor, supporting emerging creatives and volunteering with the Perth Advertising & Design Club. His curiosity, creativity, and collaborative approach continue to inspire those around him.
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‘The work’ is what Katie Pelosi is all about. Determined and dedicated to her craft as a Senior Creative, she feels more comfortable flying under the radar and letting her work speak for itself. Judging by the heap of prestigious awards she has already collected, including the overall Diamond Skull Award in 2023 and back-to-back Designer of the Year for 2023 and 2024 at the PADC’s, her humility and hard work says it all.
Raised by the beach in Semaphore, South Australia, Katie’s fighting spirit led her to discard ballet lessons in favour of watching her childhood heroes the ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’. Her belief that hard work wins over ‘natural talent’ saw her quickly rise through the ranks as a graphic designer after graduating from TAFE SA and completing her Master of Communication Design at RMIT. She brings that tenacious focus to everything she’s worked on, from government and large corporations to start-ups, from building and development to food and beverage, and from health sector and beauty to non-for-profits.
No problem is ever the same to Katie, and she loves to constantly challenge herself, evolve, change and fulfil the brief differently with every new project. And yet for someone who works so hard, she remains incredibly hard on herself. Failure is her constant teacher, compelling her to perform better and learn smarter from every new challenge.
“Anything can be accomplished if you work consistently towards a goal” says Katie. We agree.
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Yali’s roots are in Balingup, down south in WA, where farm life taught her early on how to roll up her sleeves and get things moving. After heading to Perth to complete a Bachelor of Communications at Curtin University specialising in Marketing and Web Media, she found her stride in the creative sphere, bringing structure, curiosity and a quietly strategic mind to every brief.
She joined Block as an intern while still studying and quickly became indispensable. Not by chasing the spotlight, but by fixing the things that need fixing before anyone else even notices. As Account Coordinator, Yali anticipates what’s coming next, keeps projects moving, and makes sure the details that matter don’t slip through the cracks.
When she’s not in the studio, Yali’s scrolling with purpose, tracking cultural and social trends so the work stays sharp and relevant. She’s a cat person by default but happily coexists with the office doggos too.
\ MORE BLOCK
Eastern Block
Brand ideas made right.
We’re (Eastern)Block. We’re the excitable younger sibling of Block.
With pencils always sharp. Thinking caps always on. Ready to set things on fire. We’re not here to mess around (too much) – we’re here to get (good) stuff done.
→ VISIT EASTERN BLOCK
Notes on Block
A place for ideas, process, and the odd beautiful failure.
Creative agency Block has been making things for over two decades—sometimes boldly, sometimes by sheer luck, occasionally by accident. Notes on Block is where we unpack it all: the triumphs, the missteps, the ideas that went nowhere but wouldn’t leave them alone. There are deep dives, casual conversations, loose threads, half-baked theories, and moments of clarity.
We don’t have many answers, but we’ve collected a few good questions. Stay, wander, see what sticks.