Thinkerbell promotes Taylor York to National Head Earned & Owned Thinker; adds Kathryn Furnari as National Head Media Thinker + Garret Fitzgerald as ECD

Thinkerbell has made one promotion and two hires across its Australian offices. Taylor York has been promoted to National Head Earned & Owned Thinker at Thinkerbell, meanwhile Kathryn Furnari has joined Thinkerbell as National Head Media Thinker and Garret Fitzgerald has joined Thinkerbell as Executive Creative Tinker.

York has been at Thinkerbell for the last five years and has helped grow the earned team 5X, and diversify the services into influencer, social and AI. York will now also oversee and integrate the agency’s owned offering across Thinkerbell North and South.

Says York: “We’ve worked really hard over the last five years to ensure the earned team doesn’t become siloed and is quite literally spread across the entire agency. This is why our clients’ work is so prolific, as we shape and bend ideas with Tinkers from the start.

In my new role we’ve developed a new earned/owned product, that will continue to redefine our marketing sciences-backed agency model and help make the world a little bit more interesting. We’re also implementing AI to be more efficient and deliver better value for our clients.”

Furnari brings more than 20 years’ experience across some of the world’s biggest media and creative networks, leading award-winning work for brands like Unilever, Amazon, Hyundai, and PepsiCo.

Says Furnari: “I’m thrilled to be working in such a highly regarded agency with some of the most talented people in the industry. Thinkerbell is so perfectly placed to bring all things media and creativity together.

“I love that integration isn’t just a buzzword here, it’s Alchemy. It is a core belief, backed by actions every day, from the top down. And I feel like the pink door to enter the office was made for me.”

And in the South, Garret Fitzgerald has joined Thinkerbell as ECD after a two year stint serving as CD at Sunday Gravy. An award-winning creative recognised at Cannes, Clios, Spikes, LIAs, One Show, New York Festivals and more, Fitzgerald has worked at several prominent Australian agencies including CHEP (now Clemenger BBDO), whiteGREY (now AKQA), Leo Burnett and BMF.

Says Fitzgerald: “I’m very excited to call Thinkerbell home. There’s a depth of smarts and skill here that’s undeniable. The agency is structured for modern, unpredictable, attention-getting work, all of which represents a fun palette of possibility to play with.”

Thinkerbell CEO, Margie Reid is chuffed about the strengthening of the squad: “These announcements show the breadth of our Alchemy model. It’s wonderful to see Taylor continue to spread his influence across the business, and with Kathryn and Garret joining us, it’s only going to make us stronger.”

Pictured (L-R): Kathryn Furnari, Taylor York, Garret Fitzgerald