Think HQ has appointed former Clemenger BBDO Growth Director Charmaine Griffith as Head of Growth to accelerate its Sydney expansion. Bringing extensive integrated agency experience, Griffith will strengthen the agency’s NSW presence alongside Sydney Director Sarah Wood, following major pitch wins and renewed national ambition for purpose-driven, positive-change communication.
Think HQ has taken a significant step in its national growth strategy with the appointment of Charmaine Griffith as Head of Growth, marking a pivotal moment in the agency’s expansion across New South Wales. The positive-change independent agency, headquartered in Melbourne and known for its purpose-driven approach to communication, has created this new role specifically to accelerate its Sydney presence. With Griffith’s extensive background in integrated agency leadership and growth strategy, the agency signals its intent to deepen influence and scale impact across Australia’s competitive communications landscape.
Griffith joins Think HQ after a two-and-a-half-year stint at Clemenger BBDO, where she served as Growth Director. Her experience there—working across major pitches, driving revenue opportunities, and shaping business development strategy—adds to a strong foundation built over years in leadership roles at VML, including Growth Director for Australia and New Zealand. With earlier stints at PwC’s CMO Advisory, OMD, and Initiative, Griffith brings a holistic understanding of advertising, media, consulting, and integrated brand strategy. This breadth of experience positions her uniquely to help Think HQ scale at a time when clients increasingly seek agencies capable of bridging strategy, creative, PR, technology, and community engagement.
For Think HQ, the Sydney appointment comes at a moment of measurable momentum. The agency, now 100 people strong, has recently secured major pitch wins with Cancer Council Australia, Stride Mental Health, and the Raising Children Network—clients that align closely with its focus on public impact, behavioural change, and inclusive communication. These wins not only validate the agency’s integrated model but also highlight growing national demand for socially conscious, values-driven work. Griffith’s role will be to harness that momentum, turning it into sustained growth and deeper penetration across NSW.
Working alongside Sydney Director Sarah Wood, Griffith will be part of a leadership team shaping a coordinated growth strategy for the city. Together, they will focus on expanding Think HQ’s multidisciplinary offering, which spans strategy, creative, digital innovation, PR, community engagement, and communication designed for diverse audiences. The agency’s distinctive model integrates these capabilities under one roof, ensuring clients benefit from unified thinking and expertise tailored to complex societal and organisational challenges. Griffith’s mandate will involve communicating this unique value proposition to the NSW market while forging stronger client relationships and unlocking new opportunities across industries.
Think HQ Founder and Managing Director Jen Sharpe emphasized the significance of Griffith’s arrival, noting that her appointment reflects the agency’s ambition in NSW and nationally. Sharpe highlighted the alignment between Griffith’s leadership strengths and the agency’s mission-driven philosophy, saying that from their very first conversation, it was clear Griffith understood what differentiates Think HQ in the marketplace. Sharpe added that Griffith brings a proven ability to drive growth in complex, integrated environments—an essential capability as the agency scales its positive-change model across regions.
For Sarah Wood, who leads Think HQ Sydney, Griffith’s addition is both strategic and energizing. She described Griffith as someone who “instantly lifts a room”—a leader who is smart, curious, and deeply invested in helping people grow. This emphasis on people—whether teams or clients—aligns closely with Think HQ’s culture, which prioritizes collaboration, inclusivity, and impact-driven work. Wood expressed excitement about building on the agency’s current growth trajectory with Griffith, reinforcing that the expansion is not merely numerical but rooted in the mission of driving positive change.
Griffith herself has articulated a strong sense of alignment with Think HQ’s founding philosophy. In her words, the agency has “built something rare”—a place capable of solving complex problems for major clients while staying true to its values. This form of “good growth,” she said, is precisely the kind she hopes to scale across NSW and nationally. Her comments point to a broader shift happening in the communications industry, where clients increasingly seek partners who can navigate complexity while maintaining authenticity and social responsibility. Griffith’s background equips her to champion this shift while shaping a growth strategy that is both ambitious and principled.
The timing of Griffith’s appointment also reflects broader industry changes. As Australian brands, nonprofits, government bodies, and social organisations face new challenges—from digital transformation and cultural shifts to public health communication and community engagement—they increasingly require agencies with multidimensional capability. Think HQ’s integrated model, combining creativity with research, data, technology, and lived-experience-informed insights, positions it well in this evolving space. Griffith’s remit to strengthen and communicate this offering in NSW is expected to play a central role in shaping the agency’s next phase.
With Sydney now home to a growing portion of Australia’s corporate headquarters, government agencies, and emerging ventures, establishing a stronger foothold in the city is both an opportunity and a necessity for Think HQ’s national ambitions. The launch of this newly created senior role suggests the agency is investing deeply in long-term growth rather than relying on short-term wins. By tasking Griffith with a strategic leadership mandate, Think HQ underscores its commitment to building an enduring presence defined by capability and values, not just footprint.
Industry watchers will note that Think HQ’s expansion mirrors a wider trend of independent agencies scaling across markets traditionally dominated by global networks. As clients increasingly seek partners who combine creativity with empathy, rigour, and cultural intelligence, purpose-led independents like Think HQ are finding new pathways to growth. Griffith’s appointment may further position the agency as an emerging national contender poised to challenge traditional structures with its integrated, socially driven model.
At a personal level, Griffith’s move also reflects a continuation of her career-long focus on business expansion and strategic leadership. Her track record shows a steady progression through roles that require managing complex stakeholder environments, aligning cross-functional teams, and unlocking growth opportunities across regions. Think HQ’s vision for Sydney demands that exact blend of leadership, experience, and adaptability.
In the months ahead, her work will shape not only the direction of Think HQ in NSW but also how purpose-driven agencies evolve within Australia’s broader communication landscape. With the agency’s strong foundation, recent high-profile wins, and a leadership team aligned on mission and momentum, Griffith steps into a role rich with potential and impact.
Think HQ’s expansion comes at a time when meaningful communication—especially communication centred on inclusion, behavioural insight, and social value—matters more than ever. Griffith’s appointment signals a deepening of that commitment and the beginning of a new chapter in how the agency engages with brands, communities, and the national conversation.
