Archive for the ‘Decoder Staff’ Category

Was it just me, or did the All Blacks look nervous when they took on Tonga in the opener???

Rugby World Cup fever has finally arrived at decoder, and our once happy, multi-cultural family has now been torn apart by in-fighting. Aussies up against Kiwis. English versus Scots. The battle lines have been drawn – and the mood is ugly.

The All Blacks look like being the team to beat over the next month or so. They’ve got home advantage – and let’s face it – would you want to get between Ma’a Nonu and the try line?

Our Kiwi MD, Tracey Anderson, is certainly confident. She’s promised to treat us all to a ‘fush and chups’ lunch when the All Blacks claim the cup. Don’t choke now, lads!

Cambo, my fellow copywriter, chimed in with an agency tipping competition. Staff rushed to join his newly-formed Ruckwits league. If it turns out to be half as competitive as our NRL tipping comp, we are in for a vicious fight to the finish.

Winning on the field is one thing. But winning the bragging rights is better still. Six months from now, some of us will remember who won the cup. But everyone will remember the banter that was flying around when Australia met England in the semis!

For my money, Australia look like they’re running into good form at the right time. If Quade remembers his kicking boots, and James O’Connor doesn’t sleep through kick-off, I’m tipping the Wallabies for a glorious night in Auckland on October 23rd. Which I’m afraid means four more years of tears for the All Blacks!

Visit decoder at www.decoder.net.au

As part of our commitment to bolstering our strategic offering, we’ve recently added two new faces to decoder’s strategy and planning department, with Tom Evans joining newly-appointed head of strategy, James McDonald.

Tom (left) and James

James recently returned to Brisbane after seven years in Asia and Sydney, and brings to decoder top level regional and global integrated agency experience.

Visit decoder at www.decoder.net.au

…gets pasted up on our blog for everyone to see!

Leading up to our yearly conference, the decoderettes had no idea what was in store for them. They were provided with an excursion permission form and told they would need to pack their school uniforms. And a toothbrush.

A couple of days before we left, we revealed to everyone that this year we’d be creating our very own ‘schoolies’ party – at Surfers Paradise of course! We all headed down the coast and met bright and early on Sunday morning at schoolies HQ, the Watermark Hotel.

Soon after arriving, we kicked proceedings off in our specially kitted-out ‘classroom’. On everyone’s desks were personalised school packs, complete with exercise book, stationery and essential little snacks to get us through the two days ahead.

On day one we talked about our ambitions for the 2011/12 financial year, showcased some of the world’s best creative and strategic thinking, and heard from Melissa from ‘HR on Call’ on how to set (and achieve) both personal and workplace goals. A few detention slips needed to be handed out, but overall the kiddies were well behaved.

That night was our school disco, where everyone turned up in their uniforms and had a great time. In recognition of an outstanding 12 months, Eleanor was awarded with the coveted ‘decoder staff member of the year’ title and trophy.

We also received a visit from our much-anticipated special guest – ALF. As in, A(lien) L(ife) F(orm), the furry creature from Melmac who had his own sitcom in the 80s. He was incredible.

Day two started off with a few sore heads and a presentation skills workshop. We then gave the guys a mock brief for them to work through in teams and present back to everyone in the afternoon. Some great ideas were conjured up in just a few hours.

Initially we planned to end the conference with a game of beach volleyball, but when the tide came in and washed the net away, we changed plans and headed for the Segways – those crazy-looking, futuristic, two-wheeled contraptions. After mastering the balancing technique, everyone burned around the course for a few laps. No (major) injuries were sustained.

A special mention needs to go to Stu, Katy, Chris and James who braved the heights and 110 km/h speed of the Vomitron. They did the team proud, and managed to keep their lunch down.

Overall, this year’s conference was a cracker. We’re focused on our goals for the next 12 months and very excited about what lies ahead for both decoder and our clients.

Visit decoder at www.decoder.net.au

My wedding last year seems like a long time ago now, but I look back fondly on the fun I had coming up with the ‘vintage travel’ theme. In fact, there were times when weighing up the merits of different creative approaches helped take some of the stress away from the big day.

If you haven’t already seen the snaps, I’ve picked a few out especially for you. My thanks go to Wendy and Stuart at decoder for their help in making the invites first class (get it?). 

If there’s one thing that conceptualising and planning my wedding taught me – it’s that I really like having a few creative outlets. That’s why I started shopping around for something creative to do in my spare time (call me crazy). I soon found a distance-learning Diploma in Styling, through the Australian College of Professional Styling.
 
From looking at different trends and eras in fashion, through to wardrobe styling for a modern Lois Lane, the course is teaching me all sorts of new ways of looking and understanding the role of fashion and styling in the world around us. No wonder I’m finding it so rewarding.

Building stacks and flat layouts for ‘in style’ shoots might be proving quite taxing on my ironing, folding and photography skills – but it’s all part of the fun. Plus, the tutorial feedback is really helpful – so I’m making good progress. 

Now all I need is someone to model for me and put my new found skills to the test. I wonder if Nick would be interested…? Watch this space!

Photography shout out: Blue Sky Photography

Supplier shout out: Roi at AFX Digital

Our lovely Oxford lass Samantha is now in Italy on her honeymoon, after marrying her handsome beau Dave in a beautiful Rose Garden wedding on her parents’ grounds.  Her pictures show the day was every bit the fairytale wedding, and she looks just beautiful. 

You can have a little sneaky peak at by clicking here.

The Australian build up for her wedding was every bit of fun for all the girls in the agency.  We planned for Sam a very traditional ‘Royal Hen’s Affair’, including high tea at Emporium, followed by cocktails at the Waterloo and dancing with Prince William – and of course the Corgie dogs! We all thought this agenda was very fitting, and Sam had no trouble convincing people that she was the princess, about to marry her prince!

We wish Sam and Dave all the very best for their future, and look forward to seeing our English Rose when she returns from her honeymoon.