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.
Tanya Sim
Co-Founder & Chair
Founding the studio in 2002 with her partner Mark, Tanya oversees Block’s management; her balance of business smarts the yin to her discerning creative yang. Beginning her career as an interior designer, Tanya worked her way through Edinburgh, New York and Richmond (Virginia), crafting interiors for world renowned brands. Tanya is a big believer in reward for effort – after tending to her veggie garden, cooking for her family and bending into shape for pilates, tucking into a good gin and tonic is par for the course. Presently Tanya sits on the board of the Perth Theatre Trust and is Chair of Highgate Primary School Board.
\ LinkedInTanya Sim
Co-Founder & Chair
Founding the studio in 2002 with her partner Mark, Tanya oversees Block’s management; her balance of business smarts the yin to her discerning creative yang. Beginning her career as an interior designer, Tanya worked her way through Edinburgh, New York and Richmond (Virginia), crafting interiors for world renowned brands. Tanya is a big believer in reward for effort – after tending to her veggie garden, cooking for her family and bending into shape for pilates, tucking into a good gin and tonic is par for the course. Presently Tanya sits on the board of the Perth Theatre Trust and is Chair of Highgate Primary School Board.
\ LinkedInMark Braddock
Co-Founder & Creative Director
In 2002, Block and his partner Tanya Sim established Block in his parents’ poolroom. Over the past two decades, Mark has overseen Block’s growth into one of Australia’s most respected independent strategic brand consultancies. During this time Mark led the agency’s creative and strategic product. He continues to take a hands-on roll in Block’s day-to-day output. Mark’s international branding career started in 1995, when he was asked to represent Australia in the inaugural Young Creatives Competition at the Cannes Advertising Festival. Mark worked in Edinburgh, Scotland before going on to work at Ogilvy, New York on the IBM account – the world’s largest integrated account at that time. There he rose to senior art director on accounts such as American Express and Jaguar Cars. He was then headhunted by one of the most awarded agencies in the world, The Martin Agency where he created campaign for clients including Target, Olympus Cameras, Saab and US Trust. Having garnered creative awards on three continents, Mark is regularly asked to judge and present at national and international award shows and was instrumental in reinvigorating the Perth Advertising & Design Club during his five-year stint as President. Presently, he sits on the National Board of the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA)
\ LinkedInMark Braddock
Co-Founder & Creative Director
In 2002, Block and his partner Tanya Sim established Block in his parents’ poolroom. Over the past two decades, Mark has overseen Block’s growth into one of Australia’s most respected independent strategic brand consultancies. During this time Mark led the agency’s creative and strategic product. He continues to take a hands-on roll in Block’s day-to-day output. Mark’s international branding career started in 1995, when he was asked to represent Australia in the inaugural Young Creatives Competition at the Cannes Advertising Festival. Mark worked in Edinburgh, Scotland before going on to work at Ogilvy, New York on the IBM account – the world’s largest integrated account at that time. There he rose to senior art director on accounts such as American Express and Jaguar Cars. He was then headhunted by one of the most awarded agencies in the world, The Martin Agency where he created campaign for clients including Target, Olympus Cameras, Saab and US Trust. Having garnered creative awards on three continents, Mark is regularly asked to judge and present at national and international award shows and was instrumental in reinvigorating the Perth Advertising & Design Club during his five-year stint as President. Presently, he sits on the National Board of the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA)
\ LinkedInDavid Storey
Creative Director
In Yorkshire, 1990, two things are in abundance: tea and daydreaming. A young David Storey is fond of the latter and imagines a life free from flat caps and whippet ownership. Eventually his love for album covers and the work of Neville Brody lead our plucky protagonist to enrol in Cleveland College of Art and Design: a decision that will take him to creative studios across the UK, NZ, and AUS, picking up a slew of awards (Best Awards, AGDA, Graphis, and ARC) along the way. Joining Block in 2023, David puts his 20-years’ of experience to good use leading our design team as Creative Director. While he’s adjusted well to west coast life (labradoodle and Scarborough digs) his requests for OASIS on the SONOS speaker suggest the inner Yorkie is alive and kicking.
\ LinkedInDavid Storey
Creative Director
In Yorkshire, 1990, two things are in abundance: tea and daydreaming. A young David Storey is fond of the latter and imagines a life free from flat caps and whippet ownership. Eventually his love for album covers and the work of Neville Brody lead our plucky protagonist to enrol in Cleveland College of Art and Design: a decision that will take him to creative studios across the UK, NZ, and AUS, picking up a slew of awards (Best Awards, AGDA, Graphis, and ARC) along the way. Joining Block in 2023, David puts his 20-years’ of experience to good use leading our design team as Creative Director. While he’s adjusted well to west coast life (labradoodle and Scarborough digs) his requests for OASIS on the SONOS speaker suggest the inner Yorkie is alive and kicking.
\ LinkedInJack McAuliffe
Senior Creative
Walking into our studio wearing all black - and carrying a long black – we knew Jack was a creative. His portfolio, peppered with clients from Porsche to Phillips, confirmed this and had us nodding our heads in approval for not only sounding phonetically wonderful but looking pretty swish too. So – how did this former tattoo apprentice end up at Block? It’s a story that involves a Bachelor of Graphic Design (with honours), role at Dentsu Creative Amsterdam (previously known as Dentsu ACHTUNG!) and triumphant return to the sunny southern hemisphere to work for some of the biggest brands on the West Coast, from Gage Roads to Horizon Power. He joined our creative team mid 2022.
\ LinkedInJack McAuliffe
Senior Creative
Walking into our studio wearing all black - and carrying a long black – we knew Jack was a creative. His portfolio, peppered with clients from Porsche to Phillips, confirmed this and had us nodding our heads in approval for not only sounding phonetically wonderful but looking pretty swish too. So – how did this former tattoo apprentice end up at Block? It’s a story that involves a Bachelor of Graphic Design (with honours), role at Dentsu Creative Amsterdam (previously known as Dentsu ACHTUNG!) and triumphant return to the sunny southern hemisphere to work for some of the biggest brands on the West Coast, from Gage Roads to Horizon Power. He joined our creative team mid 2022.
\ LinkedInJohanna Borger
Creative
It was a strange day when the daughter of an agronomist and a botanist announced she wasn’t planning to pursue a plant-based career. Leaving her sleepy town some three hours north of Perth, Johanna took off to explore copywriting in the hustle-and-bustle of London where she honed her wordsmithery working for the likes of L’Oréal, Boursin, Sony, and Ferrero Rocher (to name a few). Her obsession with words continues long after the work day, listing her happy-place as a sun-dappled sofa with a new book or issue of the New Yorker. It may sound wonderfully cultured and whimsical until you uncover the truth of her Spotify history. We see you, Taylor Swift superfan. We see you.
\ LinkedInJohanna Borger
Creative
It was a strange day when the daughter of an agronomist and a botanist announced she wasn’t planning to pursue a plant-based career. Leaving her sleepy town some three hours north of Perth, Johanna took off to explore copywriting in the hustle-and-bustle of London where she honed her wordsmithery working for the likes of L’Oréal, Boursin, Sony, and Ferrero Rocher (to name a few). Her obsession with words continues long after the work day, listing her happy-place as a sun-dappled sofa with a new book or issue of the New Yorker. It may sound wonderfully cultured and whimsical until you uncover the truth of her Spotify history. We see you, Taylor Swift superfan. We see you.
\ LinkedInCameron Cruz
Junior Creative
It's the quiet ones you need to watch out for. Block’s newest creative recruit is a silent sharpshooter self-taught in 3D and motion design – skills many spend years finessing (and very few seem to nail). He caught our eye at a North Metropolitan TAFE portfolio review in 2019 and we quickly snapped him up to harness that raw, explosive talent for good not evil. A steadfast and resourceful member of the team, he’s the warlock you want by your side in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign and the guitarist you need in your band. Coincidently his weekend hobbies, too.
\ LinkedInCameron Cruz
Junior Creative
It's the quiet ones you need to watch out for. Block’s newest creative recruit is a silent sharpshooter self-taught in 3D and motion design – skills many spend years finessing (and very few seem to nail). He caught our eye at a North Metropolitan TAFE portfolio review in 2019 and we quickly snapped him up to harness that raw, explosive talent for good not evil. A steadfast and resourceful member of the team, he’s the warlock you want by your side in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign and the guitarist you need in your band. Coincidently his weekend hobbies, too.
\ LinkedInTaryn Spooner
Strategist
With a love for trivia nights, brainteasers, and whodunnit mysteries – it’s no surprise that Taryn’s ability to solve complex business challenges rivals the skills of Sherlock Holmes. How she does it? Elementary, dear reader. Oh, and over 18 years of brand and marketing experience. While she’s worked across a breadth of industries from property to fashion, and gets giddy over a good spreadsheet, she doesn’t identify as one of those grey-suit corporate types. Two kids keep her life colourful and, at 6ft tall, heels were never her thing.
\ LinkedInTaryn Spooner
Strategist
With a love for trivia nights, brainteasers, and whodunnit mysteries – it’s no surprise that Taryn’s ability to solve complex business challenges rivals the skills of Sherlock Holmes. How she does it? Elementary, dear reader. Oh, and over 18 years of brand and marketing experience. While she’s worked across a breadth of industries from property to fashion, and gets giddy over a good spreadsheet, she doesn’t identify as one of those grey-suit corporate types. Two kids keep her life colourful and, at 6ft tall, heels were never her thing.
\ LinkedInAnna Jones
Strategist
HBO, NBC, General Motors, Mattel Girls, Guzman Y Gomez– there are few big brands Anna hasn’t touched. A US-native and experienced brand strategist, she kicked off her career in the bright lights of the big apple (where she picked up that unwavering can-do NYC attitude) before moving to LA (where she picked up a shameless love for trashy TV). Now residing on another West Coast, Anna has assimilated well to the peaceful Perth pace, embracing our love for the outdoors and long brunches. We’ll know she’s truly one of us when she concedes a Bunnings sausage roll beats a Times Square hot dog. Watch this space.
\ LinkedInAnna Jones
Strategist
HBO, NBC, General Motors, Mattel Girls, Guzman Y Gomez– there are few big brands Anna hasn’t touched. A US-native and experienced brand strategist, she kicked off her career in the bright lights of the big apple (where she picked up that unwavering can-do NYC attitude) before moving to LA (where she picked up a shameless love for trashy TV). Now residing on another West Coast, Anna has assimilated well to the peaceful Perth pace, embracing our love for the outdoors and long brunches. We’ll know she’s truly one of us when she concedes a Bunnings sausage roll beats a Times Square hot dog. Watch this space.
\ LinkedInAdam Poole
Director of Client Services
Adam brings a formidable 20 years of London branding experience to Block’s account service. Ever the adaptor, he has supported trailblazing tech start-ups, guided global group agencies, and guided independent consultancies across a number of sectors including Broadcast, Telecommunications, Fintech, FMCG, Sport, Healthcare and the Arts. Now, as our Director of Client Services, he leads our Account Management team to victory one brief at a time. Outside of office hours, he performs on-stage and recently joined the Board of PVI Collective, an independent arts group dedicated to the creative disruption of everyday life.
\ LinkedInAdam Poole
Director of Client Services
Adam brings a formidable 20 years of London branding experience to Block’s account service. Ever the adaptor, he has supported trailblazing tech start-ups, guided global group agencies, and guided independent consultancies across a number of sectors including Broadcast, Telecommunications, Fintech, FMCG, Sport, Healthcare and the Arts. Now, as our Director of Client Services, he leads our Account Management team to victory one brief at a time. Outside of office hours, he performs on-stage and recently joined the Board of PVI Collective, an independent arts group dedicated to the creative disruption of everyday life.
\ LinkedInMelissa Mailey
Account Director
Growing up on a wheat and sheep farm didn’t deter Melissa from hopping around Australia in the big leagues of advertising. Starting with what she knew, Melissa worked on a range of accounts in agriculture across Australia, eventually moving to Sydney and Melbourne to head up client service on some of Australia’s biggest brands. Returning back to Perth, Melissa now cracks the proverbial whip at Block, making sure clients get the best possible outcomes, all the while herding the unwieldy creatives in the right direction. It’s almost as if she’s done this somewhere before.
\ LinkedInMelissa Mailey
Account Director
Growing up on a wheat and sheep farm didn’t deter Melissa from hopping around Australia in the big leagues of advertising. Starting with what she knew, Melissa worked on a range of accounts in agriculture across Australia, eventually moving to Sydney and Melbourne to head up client service on some of Australia’s biggest brands. Returning back to Perth, Melissa now cracks the proverbial whip at Block, making sure clients get the best possible outcomes, all the while herding the unwieldy creatives in the right direction. It’s almost as if she’s done this somewhere before.
\ LinkedInKatie Hauth
Account Manager
Katie's dynamic marketer with an extensive career spanning brand management, content strategy, and event coordination. Born into a creative household, her passion for design and marketing was nurtured from a young age. An unexpected encounter with an Australian boy led to follow her heart to Perth, where she's made her for over a decade. When she's not crafting captivating campaigns, you'll find Katie daydreaming about snowboarding, reminiscing about epic concerts, and taking leisurely walks with her beloved doggo, Biscuit.
\ LinkedInKatie Hauth
Account Manager
Katie's dynamic marketer with an extensive career spanning brand management, content strategy, and event coordination. Born into a creative household, her passion for design and marketing was nurtured from a young age. An unexpected encounter with an Australian boy led to follow her heart to Perth, where she's made her for over a decade. When she's not crafting captivating campaigns, you'll find Katie daydreaming about snowboarding, reminiscing about epic concerts, and taking leisurely walks with her beloved doggo, Biscuit.
\ LinkedInChantal Brouwer
Studio & Production Manager
Power comes in many forms. Thor has his hammer, Iron Man his suit, and Chantal her scheduling prowess. As an experienced studio and production manager, she knows pretty much every trick in the book when it comes to wrangling a group of wild, cold brew fuelled creatives. A tough job – trust us. Having embarked on a Masters in Business Admin at UWA earlier this year, her enviable time management skills come in handy outside of work hours too. Our money is on her being the student who submits their assignment a week before the due date.
\ LinkedInChantal Brouwer
Studio & Production Manager
Power comes in many forms. Thor has his hammer, Iron Man his suit, and Chantal her scheduling prowess. As an experienced studio and production manager, she knows pretty much every trick in the book when it comes to wrangling a group of wild, cold brew fuelled creatives. A tough job – trust us. Having embarked on a Masters in Business Admin at UWA earlier this year, her enviable time management skills come in handy outside of work hours too. Our money is on her being the student who submits their assignment a week before the due date.
\ LinkedInTanya Sim
Co-Founder & Chair
Founding the studio in 2002 with her partner Mark, Tanya oversees Block’s management; her balance of business smarts the yin to her discerning creative yang. Beginning her career as an interior designer, Tanya worked her way through Edinburgh, New York and Richmond (Virginia), crafting interiors for world renowned brands. Tanya is a big believer in reward for effort – after tending to her veggie garden, cooking for her family and bending into shape for pilates, tucking into a good gin and tonic is par for the course. Presently Tanya sits on the board of the Perth Theatre Trust and is Chair of Highgate Primary School Board.
\ LinkedInTanya Sim
Co-Founder & Chair
Founding the studio in 2002 with her partner Mark, Tanya oversees Block’s management; her balance of business smarts the yin to her discerning creative yang. Beginning her career as an interior designer, Tanya worked her way through Edinburgh, New York and Richmond (Virginia), crafting interiors for world renowned brands. Tanya is a big believer in reward for effort – after tending to her veggie garden, cooking for her family and bending into shape for pilates, tucking into a good gin and tonic is par for the course. Presently Tanya sits on the board of the Perth Theatre Trust and is Chair of Highgate Primary School Board.
\ LinkedInMark Braddock
Co-Founder & Creative Director
In 2002, Block and his partner Tanya Sim established Block in his parents’ poolroom. Over the past two decades, Mark has overseen Block’s growth into one of Australia’s most respected independent strategic brand consultancies. During this time Mark led the agency’s creative and strategic product. He continues to take a hands-on roll in Block’s day-to-day output. Mark’s international branding career started in 1995, when he was asked to represent Australia in the inaugural Young Creatives Competition at the Cannes Advertising Festival. Mark worked in Edinburgh, Scotland before going on to work at Ogilvy, New York on the IBM account – the world’s largest integrated account at that time. There he rose to senior art director on accounts such as American Express and Jaguar Cars. He was then headhunted by one of the most awarded agencies in the world, The Martin Agency where he created campaign for clients including Target, Olympus Cameras, Saab and US Trust. Having garnered creative awards on three continents, Mark is regularly asked to judge and present at national and international award shows and was instrumental in reinvigorating the Perth Advertising & Design Club during his five-year stint as President. Presently, he sits on the National Board of the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA)
\ LinkedInMark Braddock
Co-Founder & Creative Director
In 2002, Block and his partner Tanya Sim established Block in his parents’ poolroom. Over the past two decades, Mark has overseen Block’s growth into one of Australia’s most respected independent strategic brand consultancies. During this time Mark led the agency’s creative and strategic product. He continues to take a hands-on roll in Block’s day-to-day output. Mark’s international branding career started in 1995, when he was asked to represent Australia in the inaugural Young Creatives Competition at the Cannes Advertising Festival. Mark worked in Edinburgh, Scotland before going on to work at Ogilvy, New York on the IBM account – the world’s largest integrated account at that time. There he rose to senior art director on accounts such as American Express and Jaguar Cars. He was then headhunted by one of the most awarded agencies in the world, The Martin Agency where he created campaign for clients including Target, Olympus Cameras, Saab and US Trust. Having garnered creative awards on three continents, Mark is regularly asked to judge and present at national and international award shows and was instrumental in reinvigorating the Perth Advertising & Design Club during his five-year stint as President. Presently, he sits on the National Board of the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA)
\ LinkedInDavid Storey
Creative Director
In Yorkshire, 1990, two things are in abundance: tea and daydreaming. A young David Storey is fond of the latter and imagines a life free from flat caps and whippet ownership. Eventually his love for album covers and the work of Neville Brody lead our plucky protagonist to enrol in Cleveland College of Art and Design: a decision that will take him to creative studios across the UK, NZ, and AUS, picking up a slew of awards (Best Awards, AGDA, Graphis, and ARC) along the way. Joining Block in 2023, David puts his 20-years’ of experience to good use leading our design team as Creative Director. While he’s adjusted well to west coast life (labradoodle and Scarborough digs) his requests for OASIS on the SONOS speaker suggest the inner Yorkie is alive and kicking.
\ LinkedInDavid Storey
Creative Director
In Yorkshire, 1990, two things are in abundance: tea and daydreaming. A young David Storey is fond of the latter and imagines a life free from flat caps and whippet ownership. Eventually his love for album covers and the work of Neville Brody lead our plucky protagonist to enrol in Cleveland College of Art and Design: a decision that will take him to creative studios across the UK, NZ, and AUS, picking up a slew of awards (Best Awards, AGDA, Graphis, and ARC) along the way. Joining Block in 2023, David puts his 20-years’ of experience to good use leading our design team as Creative Director. While he’s adjusted well to west coast life (labradoodle and Scarborough digs) his requests for OASIS on the SONOS speaker suggest the inner Yorkie is alive and kicking.
\ LinkedInJack McAuliffe
Senior Creative
Walking into our studio wearing all black - and carrying a long black – we knew Jack was a creative. His portfolio, peppered with clients from Porsche to Phillips, confirmed this and had us nodding our heads in approval for not only sounding phonetically wonderful but looking pretty swish too. So – how did this former tattoo apprentice end up at Block? It’s a story that involves a Bachelor of Graphic Design (with honours), role at Dentsu Creative Amsterdam (previously known as Dentsu ACHTUNG!) and triumphant return to the sunny southern hemisphere to work for some of the biggest brands on the West Coast, from Gage Roads to Horizon Power. He joined our creative team mid 2022.
\ LinkedInJack McAuliffe
Senior Creative
Walking into our studio wearing all black - and carrying a long black – we knew Jack was a creative. His portfolio, peppered with clients from Porsche to Phillips, confirmed this and had us nodding our heads in approval for not only sounding phonetically wonderful but looking pretty swish too. So – how did this former tattoo apprentice end up at Block? It’s a story that involves a Bachelor of Graphic Design (with honours), role at Dentsu Creative Amsterdam (previously known as Dentsu ACHTUNG!) and triumphant return to the sunny southern hemisphere to work for some of the biggest brands on the West Coast, from Gage Roads to Horizon Power. He joined our creative team mid 2022.
\ LinkedInJohanna Borger
Creative
It was a strange day when the daughter of an agronomist and a botanist announced she wasn’t planning to pursue a plant-based career. Leaving her sleepy town some three hours north of Perth, Johanna took off to explore copywriting in the hustle-and-bustle of London where she honed her wordsmithery working for the likes of L’Oréal, Boursin, Sony, and Ferrero Rocher (to name a few). Her obsession with words continues long after the work day, listing her happy-place as a sun-dappled sofa with a new book or issue of the New Yorker. It may sound wonderfully cultured and whimsical until you uncover the truth of her Spotify history. We see you, Taylor Swift superfan. We see you.
\ LinkedInJohanna Borger
Creative
It was a strange day when the daughter of an agronomist and a botanist announced she wasn’t planning to pursue a plant-based career. Leaving her sleepy town some three hours north of Perth, Johanna took off to explore copywriting in the hustle-and-bustle of London where she honed her wordsmithery working for the likes of L’Oréal, Boursin, Sony, and Ferrero Rocher (to name a few). Her obsession with words continues long after the work day, listing her happy-place as a sun-dappled sofa with a new book or issue of the New Yorker. It may sound wonderfully cultured and whimsical until you uncover the truth of her Spotify history. We see you, Taylor Swift superfan. We see you.
\ LinkedInCameron Cruz
Junior Creative
It's the quiet ones you need to watch out for. Block’s newest creative recruit is a silent sharpshooter self-taught in 3D and motion design – skills many spend years finessing (and very few seem to nail). He caught our eye at a North Metropolitan TAFE portfolio review in 2019 and we quickly snapped him up to harness that raw, explosive talent for good not evil. A steadfast and resourceful member of the team, he’s the warlock you want by your side in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign and the guitarist you need in your band. Coincidently his weekend hobbies, too.
\ LinkedInCameron Cruz
Junior Creative
It's the quiet ones you need to watch out for. Block’s newest creative recruit is a silent sharpshooter self-taught in 3D and motion design – skills many spend years finessing (and very few seem to nail). He caught our eye at a North Metropolitan TAFE portfolio review in 2019 and we quickly snapped him up to harness that raw, explosive talent for good not evil. A steadfast and resourceful member of the team, he’s the warlock you want by your side in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign and the guitarist you need in your band. Coincidently his weekend hobbies, too.
\ LinkedInTaryn Spooner
Strategist
With a love for trivia nights, brainteasers, and whodunnit mysteries – it’s no surprise that Taryn’s ability to solve complex business challenges rivals the skills of Sherlock Holmes. How she does it? Elementary, dear reader. Oh, and over 18 years of brand and marketing experience. While she’s worked across a breadth of industries from property to fashion, and gets giddy over a good spreadsheet, she doesn’t identify as one of those grey-suit corporate types. Two kids keep her life colourful and, at 6ft tall, heels were never her thing.
\ LinkedInTaryn Spooner
Strategist
With a love for trivia nights, brainteasers, and whodunnit mysteries – it’s no surprise that Taryn’s ability to solve complex business challenges rivals the skills of Sherlock Holmes. How she does it? Elementary, dear reader. Oh, and over 18 years of brand and marketing experience. While she’s worked across a breadth of industries from property to fashion, and gets giddy over a good spreadsheet, she doesn’t identify as one of those grey-suit corporate types. Two kids keep her life colourful and, at 6ft tall, heels were never her thing.
\ LinkedInAnna Jones
Strategist
HBO, NBC, General Motors, Mattel Girls, Guzman Y Gomez– there are few big brands Anna hasn’t touched. A US-native and experienced brand strategist, she kicked off her career in the bright lights of the big apple (where she picked up that unwavering can-do NYC attitude) before moving to LA (where she picked up a shameless love for trashy TV). Now residing on another West Coast, Anna has assimilated well to the peaceful Perth pace, embracing our love for the outdoors and long brunches. We’ll know she’s truly one of us when she concedes a Bunnings sausage roll beats a Times Square hot dog. Watch this space.
\ LinkedInAnna Jones
Strategist
HBO, NBC, General Motors, Mattel Girls, Guzman Y Gomez– there are few big brands Anna hasn’t touched. A US-native and experienced brand strategist, she kicked off her career in the bright lights of the big apple (where she picked up that unwavering can-do NYC attitude) before moving to LA (where she picked up a shameless love for trashy TV). Now residing on another West Coast, Anna has assimilated well to the peaceful Perth pace, embracing our love for the outdoors and long brunches. We’ll know she’s truly one of us when she concedes a Bunnings sausage roll beats a Times Square hot dog. Watch this space.
\ LinkedInAdam Poole
Director of Client Services
Adam brings a formidable 20 years of London branding experience to Block’s account service. Ever the adaptor, he has supported trailblazing tech start-ups, guided global group agencies, and guided independent consultancies across a number of sectors including Broadcast, Telecommunications, Fintech, FMCG, Sport, Healthcare and the Arts. Now, as our Director of Client Services, he leads our Account Management team to victory one brief at a time. Outside of office hours, he performs on-stage and recently joined the Board of PVI Collective, an independent arts group dedicated to the creative disruption of everyday life.
\ LinkedInAdam Poole
Director of Client Services
Adam brings a formidable 20 years of London branding experience to Block’s account service. Ever the adaptor, he has supported trailblazing tech start-ups, guided global group agencies, and guided independent consultancies across a number of sectors including Broadcast, Telecommunications, Fintech, FMCG, Sport, Healthcare and the Arts. Now, as our Director of Client Services, he leads our Account Management team to victory one brief at a time. Outside of office hours, he performs on-stage and recently joined the Board of PVI Collective, an independent arts group dedicated to the creative disruption of everyday life.
\ LinkedInMelissa Mailey
Account Director
Growing up on a wheat and sheep farm didn’t deter Melissa from hopping around Australia in the big leagues of advertising. Starting with what she knew, Melissa worked on a range of accounts in agriculture across Australia, eventually moving to Sydney and Melbourne to head up client service on some of Australia’s biggest brands. Returning back to Perth, Melissa now cracks the proverbial whip at Block, making sure clients get the best possible outcomes, all the while herding the unwieldy creatives in the right direction. It’s almost as if she’s done this somewhere before.
\ LinkedInMelissa Mailey
Account Director
Growing up on a wheat and sheep farm didn’t deter Melissa from hopping around Australia in the big leagues of advertising. Starting with what she knew, Melissa worked on a range of accounts in agriculture across Australia, eventually moving to Sydney and Melbourne to head up client service on some of Australia’s biggest brands. Returning back to Perth, Melissa now cracks the proverbial whip at Block, making sure clients get the best possible outcomes, all the while herding the unwieldy creatives in the right direction. It’s almost as if she’s done this somewhere before.
\ LinkedInKatie Hauth
Account Manager
Katie's dynamic marketer with an extensive career spanning brand management, content strategy, and event coordination. Born into a creative household, her passion for design and marketing was nurtured from a young age. An unexpected encounter with an Australian boy led to follow her heart to Perth, where she's made her for over a decade. When she's not crafting captivating campaigns, you'll find Katie daydreaming about snowboarding, reminiscing about epic concerts, and taking leisurely walks with her beloved doggo, Biscuit.
\ LinkedInKatie Hauth
Account Manager
Katie's dynamic marketer with an extensive career spanning brand management, content strategy, and event coordination. Born into a creative household, her passion for design and marketing was nurtured from a young age. An unexpected encounter with an Australian boy led to follow her heart to Perth, where she's made her for over a decade. When she's not crafting captivating campaigns, you'll find Katie daydreaming about snowboarding, reminiscing about epic concerts, and taking leisurely walks with her beloved doggo, Biscuit.
\ LinkedInChantal Brouwer
Studio & Production Manager
Power comes in many forms. Thor has his hammer, Iron Man his suit, and Chantal her scheduling prowess. As an experienced studio and production manager, she knows pretty much every trick in the book when it comes to wrangling a group of wild, cold brew fuelled creatives. A tough job – trust us. Having embarked on a Masters in Business Admin at UWA earlier this year, her enviable time management skills come in handy outside of work hours too. Our money is on her being the student who submits their assignment a week before the due date.
\ LinkedInChantal Brouwer
Studio & Production Manager
Power comes in many forms. Thor has his hammer, Iron Man his suit, and Chantal her scheduling prowess. As an experienced studio and production manager, she knows pretty much every trick in the book when it comes to wrangling a group of wild, cold brew fuelled creatives. A tough job – trust us. Having embarked on a Masters in Business Admin at UWA earlier this year, her enviable time management skills come in handy outside of work hours too. Our money is on her being the student who submits their assignment a week before the due date.
\ LinkedInTanya Sim
Co-Founder & Chair
Founding the studio in 2002 with her partner Mark, Tanya oversees Block’s management; her balance of business smarts the yin to her discerning creative yang. Beginning her career as an interior designer, Tanya worked her way through Edinburgh, New York and Richmond (Virginia), crafting interiors for world renowned brands. Tanya is a big believer in reward for effort – after tending to her veggie garden, cooking for her family and bending into shape for pilates, tucking into a good gin and tonic is par for the course. Presently Tanya sits on the board of the Perth Theatre Trust and is Chair of Highgate Primary School Board.
\ LinkedInMark Braddock
Co-Founder & Creative Director
In 2002, Block and his partner Tanya Sim established Block in his parents’ poolroom. Over the past two decades, Mark has overseen Block’s growth into one of Australia’s most respected independent strategic brand consultancies. During this time Mark led the agency’s creative and strategic product. He continues to take a hands-on roll in Block’s day-to-day output. Mark’s international branding career started in 1995, when he was asked to represent Australia in the inaugural Young Creatives Competition at the Cannes Advertising Festival. Mark worked in Edinburgh, Scotland before going on to work at Ogilvy, New York on the IBM account – the world’s largest integrated account at that time. There he rose to senior art director on accounts such as American Express and Jaguar Cars. He was then headhunted by one of the most awarded agencies in the world, The Martin Agency where he created campaign for clients including Target, Olympus Cameras, Saab and US Trust. Having garnered creative awards on three continents, Mark is regularly asked to judge and present at national and international award shows and was instrumental in reinvigorating the Perth Advertising & Design Club during his five-year stint as President. Presently, he sits on the National Board of the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA)
\ LinkedInDavid Storey
Creative Director
In Yorkshire, 1990, two things are in abundance: tea and daydreaming. A young David Storey is fond of the latter and imagines a life free from flat caps and whippet ownership. Eventually his love for album covers and the work of Neville Brody lead our plucky protagonist to enrol in Cleveland College of Art and Design: a decision that will take him to creative studios across the UK, NZ, and AUS, picking up a slew of awards (Best Awards, AGDA, Graphis, and ARC) along the way. Joining Block in 2023, David puts his 20-years’ of experience to good use leading our design team as Creative Director. While he’s adjusted well to west coast life (labradoodle and Scarborough digs) his requests for OASIS on the SONOS speaker suggest the inner Yorkie is alive and kicking.
\ LinkedInJack McAuliffe
Senior Creative
Walking into our studio wearing all black - and carrying a long black – we knew Jack was a creative. His portfolio, peppered with clients from Porsche to Phillips, confirmed this and had us nodding our heads in approval for not only sounding phonetically wonderful but looking pretty swish too. So – how did this former tattoo apprentice end up at Block? It’s a story that involves a Bachelor of Graphic Design (with honours), role at Dentsu Creative Amsterdam (previously known as Dentsu ACHTUNG!) and triumphant return to the sunny southern hemisphere to work for some of the biggest brands on the West Coast, from Gage Roads to Horizon Power. He joined our creative team mid 2022.
\ LinkedInJohanna Borger
Creative
It was a strange day when the daughter of an agronomist and a botanist announced she wasn’t planning to pursue a plant-based career. Leaving her sleepy town some three hours north of Perth, Johanna took off to explore copywriting in the hustle-and-bustle of London where she honed her wordsmithery working for the likes of L’Oréal, Boursin, Sony, and Ferrero Rocher (to name a few). Her obsession with words continues long after the work day, listing her happy-place as a sun-dappled sofa with a new book or issue of the New Yorker. It may sound wonderfully cultured and whimsical until you uncover the truth of her Spotify history. We see you, Taylor Swift superfan. We see you.
\ LinkedInCameron Cruz
Junior Creative
It's the quiet ones you need to watch out for. Block’s newest creative recruit is a silent sharpshooter self-taught in 3D and motion design – skills many spend years finessing (and very few seem to nail). He caught our eye at a North Metropolitan TAFE portfolio review in 2019 and we quickly snapped him up to harness that raw, explosive talent for good not evil. A steadfast and resourceful member of the team, he’s the warlock you want by your side in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign and the guitarist you need in your band. Coincidently his weekend hobbies, too.
\ LinkedInTaryn Spooner
Strategist
With a love for trivia nights, brainteasers, and whodunnit mysteries – it’s no surprise that Taryn’s ability to solve complex business challenges rivals the skills of Sherlock Holmes. How she does it? Elementary, dear reader. Oh, and over 18 years of brand and marketing experience. While she’s worked across a breadth of industries from property to fashion, and gets giddy over a good spreadsheet, she doesn’t identify as one of those grey-suit corporate types. Two kids keep her life colourful and, at 6ft tall, heels were never her thing.
\ LinkedInAnna Jones
Strategist
HBO, NBC, General Motors, Mattel Girls, Guzman Y Gomez– there are few big brands Anna hasn’t touched. A US-native and experienced brand strategist, she kicked off her career in the bright lights of the big apple (where she picked up that unwavering can-do NYC attitude) before moving to LA (where she picked up a shameless love for trashy TV). Now residing on another West Coast, Anna has assimilated well to the peaceful Perth pace, embracing our love for the outdoors and long brunches. We’ll know she’s truly one of us when she concedes a Bunnings sausage roll beats a Times Square hot dog. Watch this space.
\ LinkedInAdam Poole
Director of Client Services
Adam brings a formidable 20 years of London branding experience to Block’s account service. Ever the adaptor, he has supported trailblazing tech start-ups, guided global group agencies, and guided independent consultancies across a number of sectors including Broadcast, Telecommunications, Fintech, FMCG, Sport, Healthcare and the Arts. Now, as our Director of Client Services, he leads our Account Management team to victory one brief at a time. Outside of office hours, he performs on-stage and recently joined the Board of PVI Collective, an independent arts group dedicated to the creative disruption of everyday life.
\ LinkedInMelissa Mailey
Account Director
Growing up on a wheat and sheep farm didn’t deter Melissa from hopping around Australia in the big leagues of advertising. Starting with what she knew, Melissa worked on a range of accounts in agriculture across Australia, eventually moving to Sydney and Melbourne to head up client service on some of Australia’s biggest brands. Returning back to Perth, Melissa now cracks the proverbial whip at Block, making sure clients get the best possible outcomes, all the while herding the unwieldy creatives in the right direction. It’s almost as if she’s done this somewhere before.
\ LinkedInKatie Hauth
Account Manager
Katie's dynamic marketer with an extensive career spanning brand management, content strategy, and event coordination. Born into a creative household, her passion for design and marketing was nurtured from a young age. An unexpected encounter with an Australian boy led to follow her heart to Perth, where she's made her for over a decade. When she's not crafting captivating campaigns, you'll find Katie daydreaming about snowboarding, reminiscing about epic concerts, and taking leisurely walks with her beloved doggo, Biscuit.
\ LinkedInChantal Brouwer
Studio & Production Manager
Power comes in many forms. Thor has his hammer, Iron Man his suit, and Chantal her scheduling prowess. As an experienced studio and production manager, she knows pretty much every trick in the book when it comes to wrangling a group of wild, cold brew fuelled creatives. A tough job – trust us. Having embarked on a Masters in Business Admin at UWA earlier this year, her enviable time management skills come in handy outside of work hours too. Our money is on her being the student who submits their assignment a week before the due date.
\ LinkedInPADC Skull Awards
18
AGDA Awards
15
AWARD Awards
3
Campaign Brief Awards
1