UWA Marketing Industry Advisory Group

Dr Claudia Amonini

Principal, Painted Dog Research

Claudia is one of the founding partners of Painted Dog Research who helped to build it from a start-up in 2007 into one of today’s leading business consultancies in Australia. Over the past 13 years, Claudia has launched Painted Dog’s services and offices across Australia, with clients in every Australian State and Territory.  She has helped to build Data Tech and Data Science divisions within Painted Dog, launched a leading online data collection company Rewardingviews.com and continues to be integral in the development and refinement of new product and service offerings across analytics, technology and advisory areas.

In her own right, Claudia has more than 25 years’ experience and has led the design and management of hundreds of studies in the public and private sectors. She is a trusted advisor to many commercial, academic, federal and state government organisations and has a strong focus on providing advice that aligns with real-world strategic and business outcomes.  

Prior to starting Painted Dog Research, Claudia worked on both client and supplier sides in WA and the East Coast of Australia. She has a Doctorate in Social Marketing (2002) and was a recipient of an Australian Postgraduate Award Scholarship and Healthway Research Grant. She has held academic positions and lectured in the areas of consumer behaviour, market research and strategy. She is an accredited Qualified Professional Researcher (QPR) and has sat on several boards and committees including for the Market Research Society, Curtin University, UWA and other educational institutions.   

Andrew Mathwin

Managing Director, Firefly Digital 

Andrew is the founder of Firefly and has more than 23 years’ experience in both Perth and Melbourne working at agencies and at some of Australia’s biggest international brands. His experience includes Managing Director for Creative and Digital Agency Firefly, Head of Marketing for Crownbet (Draftstars), Global Head of Social Media at the Jetstar Group, Marketing Manager (Spotlight), Marketing Manager (LandCorp) and Head of Digital & Performance Marketing at the Spotlight Retail Group (Spotlight and Anaconda).

 

Danielle Henry

Marketing and Communications Manager, Zoological Parks Authority (Perth Zoo)

Danielle is the Marketing and Communications Manager at Perth Zoo. In her role, she is responsible for all media and marketing activity, the Zoo’s digital media platforms, publication production, internal communications, corporate communications, graphic design, interpretations and issues management. The objective is to amplify awareness of Perth Zoo’s activities including their scientific research, breeding programs and events and convert this awareness into visitation, thereby achieving revenue to fund the work of Perth Zoo.  

Before joining Perth Zoo, Danielle worked at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo for eight years and was the Australian Media Manager for the IUCN World Parks Congress, hosted in Sydney in 2014. Danielle is also a Board member of renowned Perth based wildlife agency, Free the Bears and the Convener of the Communications Specialist Advisory Group for the Australasian Zoo and Aquarium Association. 

Danielle has a Bachelor of Communications majoring in Tourism and Public Relations from the University of Canberra and has certificates in Digital Marketing Strategy and Implementing Digital Marketing from RMIT. 

 

Marquis Pohla

Founder and Managing Director, Metrix Consulting

Marquis Pohla is an award-winning marketing insights professional who believes in the power of evidence-based thinking.

He is an innovator, a disruptor, and an entrepreneur on a never-ending quest to transform how business and community leaders use market research and other sources of data.

While intelligence gathering is in Marquis DNA, it is his ability to turn the information into robust and effective strategy that sets him apart.

In 2009, after a successful career with one of Australia’s most respected and dynamic market research firms, Marquis established Metrix Consulting.  

Since then, he has grown the agency into a Fast 100 company with a national footprint and a portfolio of clients spanning retail, FMG, telecommunications, energy, insurance, health, and government.

Marquis is a sought-after advisor to leaders and brand-decision makers who want credible information and in-depth analysis.

They rely on his expert strategic recommendations and fresh thinking to help them navigate the ever-evolving economic, political, and community landscapes.

Marquis holds a Specialisation in Design Thinking from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in marketing and information systems from Curtin University.

He is a member of Western Australia’s illustrious 40under40 club, listed among the 2019 Business News Australia top 100 Young Entrepreneurs, and the recipient of the 2020 Curtin Alumni Professional Achievement Award – Business and Law.

Marquis is a former President of the Perth Division of global peer to peer network, the Entrepreneur Organisation, and sat on the Board of the Australian Market & Social Research Society from 2011 to 2013.

 

Matt Popkes

Head of Strategy, The Brand Agency

Hailing from Portland, Oregon USA, Matt Popkes is the Head of Strategy for The Brand Agency’s Perth HQ. A digital specialist, Matt relocated to Perth bringing 14 years of digital strategy experience, leading key initiatives for brands like Nike, Yamaha and Taco Bell. In QSR, Matt helped lead major efforts data management, segmentation, content personalisation, and re-platforming for Yumm Brands/Taco Bell. In Perth, Matt leads a strategic communications team working closely with clients throughout Australia in key sectors of government, public utility, travel and retail.

 

Mike Edmonds

Founder, In Better Company

Mike worked for over 40 years in advertising, beginning in 1978. He rose through the ranks to become Executive Creative Director at Ogilvy, 303 and Marketforce, before he and his business partner Ronnie Duncan created their own purpose-based agency Meerkats in 2004. Meerkats was a three-time winner of WA Agency of the Year and was recently named the Independent Agency of the Year in Australia-New Zealand. 

Mike has been President of the Perth Advertising & Design Club and Australia’s Jury Member at the Cannes International Advertising Festival, London International Advertising Awards and the Dubai Lynx Festival. He has lectured in Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Dubai, Bangkok and Jakarta.

In July 2020 Mike and Ronnie sold Meerkats in order to explore their purpose-driven philosophies outside of the marketing industry. Their new business is called In Better Company and is helping individuals, organisations and industry groups surface their true purpose and align their business behaviour to it.

Mike is also heavily involved in running workshops and lecturing on true purpose at universities and schools.  

Rachel Ivey

Manager of Marketing & Customer Education, Water Corporation

Jim Groves

Managing Director, Carat