Special Australia strengthens national leadership across Sydney and Melbourne

Special Australia has announced a series of leadership appointments, adding Sasha Firth, Simon Gibson, Nils Eberhardt and Christie Meischke to its national leadership team.

The move comes as the independent agency continues its expansion across Sydney and Melbourne. Lindsey Evans said the appointments reflect Special’s long-standing focus on talent and culture.

“We are incredibly excited by the serious firepower these awesome humans bring to everything Special,” Evans said. “We have always said that all we really have to set ourselves apart is talent and the culture we create for that talent to thrive.”

Firth, who joined Special in May 2024, has been confirmed as managing director. She will lead Special Australia nationally alongside Tori Lopez.

Since joining, Firth has played a senior leadership role across the business and most recently led the Melbourne office. In her expanded remit, she will focus on national integration and future-fit operations, including AI, technology and innovation enablement.

Firth previously spent five years at DDB Group Australia as managing partner. Evans said Firth had already delivered significant impact.

“She has made an immeasurable impact on our Melbourne business, its momentum, culture and performance,” Evans said.

Meischke joins Special Australia as people and culture director in a newly created national role. She will lead the agency’s culture, talent development and employee experience strategy.

Most recently, Meischke held senior roles at OMG Australia and Hearts & Science. She brings experience across human resources, workplace policy and wellbeing initiatives, including the rollout of Special’s psychosocial program Work Better, Feel Better.

Lopez said the appointment reinforces Special’s cultural priorities.

“Christie’s appointment fuels Special’s ongoing commitment to putting its people and culture first,” Lopez said. Gibson and Eberhardt have been elevated from group creative directors to executive creative directors, recognising their long-standing creative partnership.

In their new roles, Gibson and Eberhardt will remain based in Sydney, providing creative leadership across brands, projects and new business. They join Ryan Fitzgerald, who continues as executive creative director leading Melbourne.

Tom Martin and Julian Schreiber said the promotions reflect both performance and leadership.

“It’s recognition not only of the exceptional standard of work they’ve delivered and their natural leadership, but of the deep respect they’ve earned across the agency,” Martin and Schreiber said.