Media and creative consultancy SOLVD makes its debut on 2024 AFR Fast Starters list at number 37

Newcastle-based independent media and creative consultancy, SOLVD, has been listed on the prestigious 2024 AFR Fast Starters list after achieving impressive growth since its launch in 2020. SOLVD was the highest ranked agency on the list, at number 37.

The list recognises the fastest-growing young Australian companies nationally, which have recorded revenue of a minimum $0.5m in the past financial year. The listing is based on compound annual growth rates from the last three financial years, with the majority of revenue generated organically.

SOLVD’s debut on the 2024 list makes it one of the nation’s fastest growing marketing consultancies, and one of the few regional-based businesses overall to make this year’s list.

SOLVD is a full-service communications and marketing consultancy, established in 2020 in Newcastle, NSW.

Since its inception, Founder and Principal Consultant, Sam Gannon (pictured), has built the business organically, increasing annual revenue year-on-year, with growth up by 30% in 2024 alone.

The consultancy offers strategic planning and communications, branding, creative, marketing, and media buying services across several categories and clients, including Reflections Holiday Parks, World Surf League (WSL), PKF, Third.i Group, Glencore, Surfest, University of Newcastle, Noveco Surfaces and Hunter Water Corporation.

SOLVD Principal Consultant, Sam Gannon, said the AFR Fast Starters listing was the perfect way to crown a stellar year for the agency. Says Gannon: “It is an honour to be included on the AFR’s Fast Starters list,” he said. “The list has long been the authoritative voice on the fastest growing companies in Australia across a range of industries, so to be recognised is an incredible achievement.

“Since our inception, SOLVD has hung its hat on being a data-driven company that is problem-centric. This commitment to problem-solving has really been our point of difference, particularly in the regional market. We start with a blank page and a problem, and through audience data, insights and emotion, we help businesses solve their real problems for real outcomes.

“This strategy has underpinned every campaign and deliverable for our clients and has been the cornerstone of our success. As we’ve continued to grow, we’ve remained true to our mission of solving problems and being good at what we do – it’s as simple as that.

“Our marketing and growth strategy has focused on building a core team of strong people managers and industry experts, who are good at embedding consistent internal messaging and strategy and putting processes in place to achieve results. This approach has been critical to our success, enabling us to build a robust, end-to-end marketing service that stands out from the crowd.”

This year, SOLVD has added several new clients to its stable, including the media and creative account for state-owned water corporation, Hunter Water, strategic communications, and execution services for Yancoal’s energy transition projects and creative services for World Surf League (WSL).

The agency also recently took home a Transform Award for best strategic or creative development of a new brand for its client Noveco Surfaces. The awards recognise excellence in creativity and strategy across the whole brand development process.