Kristie Turner and Sarah Vierod.
Independent experiential agency Yakusan has expanded its team in response to renewed demand for integrated, experience-led brand work, appointing Kristie Turner client service director and Sarah Vierod people, culture & planning director.
During the last six months, the agency has welcomed clients, including eBay, GWM and Nescafé/Nestlé.
“Yakusan have always stood out to me as genuine craftsmen. Smart thinking, beautiful detail, and an integrated approach that actually works,” Turner said.
“Right now, there’s a huge opportunity for brands to create experiences that feel truly human. In a time where people feel more disconnected than ever, bringing them together in meaningful ways matters.”
With a background spanning several of Australia’s top creative agencies, Vierod will lead Yakusan’s operational excellence and people-first culture, ensuring the rapidly growing team is supported structurally and creatively as Yakusan scales.
“My commitment is to harness my passion for people and creativity to create an environment where big ideas can thrive and where people are continuously learning, developing and growing,” Vierod said.
Yakusan founder and managing director Gilles Merry said the new appointments reflect both the resurgence of experiential work and the agency’s focus on building an agile team that will drive its next phase of growth.
“We're seeing brand experience enter a new era – no longer a channel in isolation, but a critical part of the marketing mix. Clients need ideas that move seamlessly across brand, content, digital and live environments, requiring a more integrated approach,” Merry said.
“In an increasingly fragmented world, the ability to bring people together in meaningful, shared moments is what differentiates brands.
"These appointments are about strengthening the leadership and resourcing behind the work, so we can meet demand and keep raising the bar on what experience-led brand building looks like.”
The agency has recently appointed an executive producer and account manager to its space within the Special Group’s Surry Hills head office. The agency is also currently recruiting for a senior designer and an additional producer role.
“We’re being very deliberate about how we grow and nurture our current talent,” Merry said.
“This isn’t about rapid expansion for its own sake. It’s about building the right team and structure to support the kind of work we want to be doing over the next few years.”
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