It’s been a year of growth and transformation for dentsu Queensland and its people, which managing director Chris Ernst credits to the agency’s journey of simplifying its business offering and employee proposition.

“There’d probably be a keyring for the keys to that success,” Ernst joked.

He explained to Mediaweek that the agency “created one emotional connection between one group of people to one business, which truly brought us together as a group of people.”

Among its recent achievements, dentsu Queensland was the #1 agency in Queensland in Media NPS in the media i report, and has clocked up 30% headcount growth, continued revenue growth, client wins, and successful campaigns.

A big part of this success, Ernst explained, has been creating a culture that has fostered the growth and development of its people. “Culture is a by-product of different inputs, behaviours, and commitments we make to each other,” Ernst said.

“We’ve co-created a lot of that in this business. I think that has resulted in a great sense of ownership, psychological safety, and trust within the business.”

Over the last 12 months, the agency has leaned into its Japanese heritage with Origami, a personal development program that focuses on the ‘whole person’ growth.

This includes a clear vision for the agency, a transparent hiring process, investment in self-discovery, commitment to doing good for society, and empowerment of emerging leaders.

General manager Emily Cook told Mediaweek: “We know that not everyone’s going to work with this organisation for their entire careers, and that’s okay. We want to make sure their time with us is the most transformative of their careers, and we can support that growth.”

Cook called the Origami growth journey “potent and powerful” and said the agency’s “goal planning is anchored in our people first and foremost,” which leads to business outcomes and stronger and deeper connections with current clients.

Origami has also enabled dentsu Queensland to focus on giving back to communities through its work with UnLtd., Deadly Science, and Share The Dignity.

The growth program has fostered its leaders, three of whom are finalists in Mediaweek‘s upcoming Next of The Best Awards, to be held on 13 June at Sydney’s Ivy Ballroom.

Ernst called it “an incredibly proud moment“ for dentsu Queensland. He applauded Cook, group strategy director Cameron Law, and strategic partnerships director Emilia Ball for their “well-deserved recognition”.

Cook, who joined dentsu Queensland three years ago and was appointed general manager last year, said the “energy and potency“ of the agency’s people makes them stand out in the market.

Ernst added that this reflected the agency’s shared feelings of trust, empowerment, courage, and bravery.

Such energy has resulted in business success, the duo said, including winning Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) in late 2022.

Ernst revealed that winning the TEQ tender was the “proudest moment of my time here.”

“It was not the pitch itself, it was leaving office that day to deliver it. This place [the office] erupted as we left; everyone was cheering us on. It didn’t matter what happened next, we felt like we’d succeeded in what we’d set out to do.”

See full article on Mediaweek.

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