Where independent agency leaders and industry partners come together for candid conversations that shape what’s next.
JOIN US
- Join senior leaders from independent agencies, publishers, platforms and technology partners for a candid conversation about the future of our sector. Through a leadership panel, audience Q&A and facilitated discussions, Indies Up Close will explore client expectations, emerging trends, buying behaviours and the partnerships helping independent agencies thrive.
AGENDA
9:30am
Arrival
10:00am
Founder Panel
10:30am
Strategy Panel
11:00am
Breakout discussions with Independent Leaders
11:30am
Networking & refreshments
12:00pm
Close
Venue: Gallery Room – The State Library of NSW
EVENT HOST
Sam Buchanan
The CEO of Independent Media Agencies Australia and a founding leader of the organisation. With 25+ years across media owners, agencies and clients, Sam has grown IMAA into a powerful industry voice, championing independent agencies, collaboration, sustainability and meaningful industry change.
Founder Panelist
Lisa Sutton-Gardner
Lisa Sutton-Gardner founded Enigma in 1992 and has grown it into one of Australia’s largest independent agencies. With more than three decades leading through industry change, she remains deeply involved in client strategy, mentoring her team and helping brands create bold, unignorable work that delivers lasting impact.
Founder Panelist
Stephen Fisher
The Managing Partner & CEO at Hatched Media. Stephen is an experienced media practitioner with 20 years experience across UK, Europe & Asia.
FOUNDER PANELIST
Marilla Akkermans
Marilla Akkermans is the Founder and Managing Director of Equality Media + Marketing, an independent agency reshaping what a successful workplace can be. Since launching the business in 2018 while raising her first child, Marilla has led with one clear conviction: people-first business isn’t just possible, it’s powerful.
Founder Panelist
Margie Reid
Margie Reid is CEO and Partner at Thinkerbell, one of Australia’s leading independent creative agencies. With extensive experience across creative, media and communications, she has built a reputation for driving innovation, championing diversity and inclusion, and leading initiatives that advance both agency capabilities and meaningful outcomes for clients, people and the industry.
About the Founder Panel
Leadership, Growth & the Future of Independent Agencies
Hear directly from some of Australia’s leading independent agency founders and CEOs as they discuss the realities of building and growing successful businesses in today’s market. From navigating economic pressures and winning new business to fostering culture, leadership and innovation, this candid conversation will provide valuable insight into the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of the independent agency sector.
Strategy Panelist
Robert Nagy
Rob Nagy serves as General Manager of Product and Operations at Yango, leading the strategic evolution, operational excellence, and commercial growth of one of Australia’s top independent media agencies. His role spans the full operational lifecycle—from designing and packaging new agency product lines (like SEO, GEO, and tech partner integrations) to managing business profitability, mentoring the agency’s leadership team, and elevating agency output to protect client retention and fuel new business pitching. Rob specialises in navigating commercial ambiguity, analysing complex data, and scaling agency capability to drive measurable business outcomes.
Strategy Panelist
Sue Cant
Sue Cant is Head of Investment at Flow, bringing more than 20 years’ experience across the UK and Australia in media strategy, investment and commercial partnerships. She is passionate about developing future media leaders and helping independent agencies create competitive advantage through smarter investment, strong relationships and market insight.
Strategy Panelist
Adrian Cosstick
Adrian Cosstick is Strategy Director at Half Dome, bringing 15 years’ experience across digital, media, marketing, startups and advertising strategy. He believes the best work comes from integrated thinking, with experience spanning brands including Cadbury, Jetstar, L’Oréal, QV, The Good Guys, nbn and Australia Post.
Strategy Panelist
Rob Wall
Rob Wall is Managing Director of Love Media, bringing more than 25 years’ experience across media agencies, advertising technology and MarTech. He leads the agency’s commercial growth, client relationships and people strategy, with a passion for creating meaningful brand impact and developing the next generation of media talent.
About the Strategy Panel
Investment, Strategy & Partnerships
Hear from the commercial and strategy leaders responsible for media investment decisions as they share what drives agency thinking today. This candid discussion will explore how agencies evaluate partnerships, make investment decisions and measure success, while offering valuable insight into what agencies value most from their commercial partners and how suppliers can create greater value in an increasingly competitive market.
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EVENT DETAILS
Location
Mitchell Library, 1 Shakespeare Pl,
Sydney NSW 2000
View on Google Maps
Event details
Wednesday 23 September 2026
Arrival 9:30am
Content 10:00am–12:00pm
Event enquiries
Jo Moss, Event Manager
jo@theimaa.com.au