Monster & Bear unveils new leadership team as Co-Founder Sarah Hickey goes full-time directing
Monster & Bear’s new leadership team: Co-Managing Partner Ryan Bird, Head of Production Samantha Haines, Creative Director Leslie Preyer, and Co-Managing Partner Josh Mitchell-Frey.
Melbourne production company Monster & Bear is entering a new chapter, with co-founder Sarah Hickey departing the business after nearly 15 years to pursue her directing career full-time.
Hickey was one of the original founders of the long-standing production company, alongside Ryan Bird and Josh Mitchell-Frey, and has played a central role in building Monster & Bear into a respected partner for agencies and brands across TVC production, branded content, documentaries, digital and integrated campaigns.
While stepping away from the company’s day-to-day leadership, Hickey will remain part of the Monster & Bear creative family, continuing to be on the company’s roster of directors and remaining available for commercial projects.
Hickey has currently accepted a director’s block on Gristmill Productions (Robyn Butler and Wayne Hope) acclaimed TV series Little Lunch: New Class kicking off in May 2026.
Sarah Hickey (above) co-founded Monster & Bear with Josh Mitchell-Frey and Ryan Bird in 2013
The move marks an amicable transition for the business, with a refreshed leadership structure set to guide the company into its next phase.
Stepping into new roles within the strategic leadership team are Samantha Haines, who joins as Head of Production, and Leslie Preyer, Creative Director. They will work alongside co-founders Josh Mitchell-Frey and Ryan Bird, who continue in executive leadership roles within the business.
The restructure comes as Monster & Bear sharpens its focus on the rapidly evolving production landscape, helping brands and agencies navigate shifting budgets, new content formats and increasingly complex media ecosystems.
With capabilities spanning high-end commercial production through to nimble social, lo-fi content, the studio is doubling down on its ability to deliver end-to-end production under one roof while maintaining the quality and storytelling the company has become known for.
Hickey said leaving the company she co-built was a deeply emotional moment, but one that also marks an exciting creative shift: “Leaving Monster & Bear is bittersweet after so many years. We were babies when we started the company, and it’s truly been the cornerstone of my career. But now it feels like the right time to follow my heart into directing full-time; focusing on TV series and commercial storytelling without trying to run a company at the same time.”
Monster & Bear co-founder Ryan Bird said the transition reflects both pride in Hickey’s next chapter and excitement about the company’s future: “Josh and I are excited by what the future holds for both Sarah and the team here at Monster & Bear. Sarah will always be an important part of the M&B family and we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built together over the last 13 years.”
New Head of Production Samantha Haines said she is looking forward to expanding the studio’s collaborative partnerships with agencies and brands: “What really drew me to Monster & Bear is the scale of talent we have in-house, which is a rare advantage in today’s production landscape. I’m incredibly excited to be joining the team and looking forward to evolving how we support our clients; elevating the service experience and expanding what we can offer to marketers and agencies alike.”
Creative Director Leslie Preyer is excited for the shake up, too: “I’m sad to be saying goodbye to Sarah, but also very happy for her to be diving into her creative work completely. This is an amazing opportunity for some fresh creative talent and new perspectives at M&B. I’m looking forward to lifting the creative bar even higher and working alongside Sam, Josh and Ryan to help steer the M&B team in this next chapter of the business.”
Monster & Bear was founded in Melbourne and has built a reputation as a collaborative production partner for agencies and brands, known for delivering strong creative craft and high production value. The studio says it prides itself on elevating every brief and utilising all the resources they have on hand to get the most out of every budget.
As the company moves into its next phase, that focus remains the same: delivering great craft, efficient production and content that genuinely connects with audiences across platforms.
Photographer: Shannyn Higgins
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