Lumme launches to revolutionise marketing for growing Australian businesses

In a bold move to empower Australian businesses from startups to established enterprises, seasoned executives Renee Gangemi (above right) and Kate Thompson (above left) have launched Lumme (pronounced L-uu-m), a fresh marketing approach designed to solve a common challenge: accessing high-level marketing expertise without the hefty costs of a full-time CMO or traditional agency.

Lumme is redefining the marketing landscape by cutting through the noise and bringing “uncommon sense” back to the table. With an agile, partnership-driven approach,  Lumme combines on-demand strategic insight with hands-on execution, helping clients unlock their growth potential and reach the next milestone.

Whether it’s a fast-growing scaleup or a larger enterprise with an in-house CMO, Lumme delivers the strategic muscle and flexible resources to tackle the marketing brief at hand. They provide a trusted partner who challenges complex business challenges, driving impactful solutions and ensuring businesses move forward with clarity and confidence.

Unlike agencies or consultancies, Lumme acts as a true extension of its clients’ teams. By blending senior-level expertise with full implementation, Lumme delivers the combined power of a CMO and an integrated marketing department – offering both strategic direction and execution at a fraction of the cost of hiring multiple resources.

Says Renee Gangemi, co-founder of Lumme: “The traditional consultancy model is broken. You’re sold a solution but left to figure out execution on your own, financially and resource-wise, it just doesn’t stack up. At Lumme, we don’t just advise we embed directly into a client’s team, driving strategy and executing the work. We bring an entire, integrated marketing department to the table for approximate cost of a single hire – including a marketing director, a mid-level marketing manager, and access to trusted external partners for PR, creative, and more.”

Lumme is the culmination of years of collaboration between Gangemi and Thompson, who previously operated under the moniker “The Marketing Equation” where they served high-growth companies like Brighte, Cashrewards, KPMG High Growth Ventures, Magic Millions, Prezzee, and xAmplify.

Says Kate Thompson, Lumme co-founder: “Marketing is the engine room of growth, but fast-growing businesses often find themselves stuck between the expensive cost of senior leadership and the limitations of junior talent that can’t deliver. Lumme flips that model on its head. Our on-demand approach gives businesses access to senior-level expertise and hands-on execution at a price point that scales with them. We don’t just provide strategy—we bring it to life, working side-by-side with our clients to implement in real time. Ultimately, we’re not just a vendor – we’re a true partner, embedded in their growth and laser-focused on delivering real, measurable results at every stage.

“Lumme means ‘surprise, interest, and approval,’ and that’s exactly the response we’ve been getting from both our clients and the market—proof that our approach is resonating and making an impact. Renee and I found ourselves vigorously nodding in agreement about how much better this delivery model could be—so we wanted to do something about it.”

Says Iain Salteri, CEO and Founder of Lumme client KttiPay: “Lumme’s approach for us has been relentlessly strategy-first. By addressing the core problem, solution, and emotional drivers right from the start, they’ve eliminated wasted time on execution down the line. Working with Lumme has helped us to develop a sharp, effective marketing strategy. The team has optimised our marketing function that is really helping us scale.”

With decades of combined marketing leadership, Gangemi and Thompson bring unparalleled expertise to Lumme. Gangemi’s experience spans roles as Head of Marketing for TEDxSydney as well as Brand Manager at NewsCorp and Pacific Magazines. Thompson, a former Sales Manager at luxury brand Tiffany & Co., has led global campaigns for Aston Martin as well as founding FMCG brand The Probiotic Kitchen, which she successfully exited in 2019 and sold to a private investment group.

With a core team based in Sydney and the Gold Coast, and an expanding network of top-tier, prequalified talent across Australia, Lumme’s heavyweight leadership team also includes Romi Shepherd, a former Global Operations Director at Havas London, and Jane Killingsworth, former Head of Marketing at wellness brand Koh and ex-Head of Brand Communications for Neal’s Yard Remedies in London.

This dynamic team’s partnership-driven approach is already making waves with clients across various sectors, including tech, fintech, health, FMCG and luxury brands.