Bearded Kitten has appointed Vinny Panchal as managing partner to strengthen the company’s Australian operations.
Panchal brings over a decade of experience at Jack Morton Worldwide and a proven track record across leading global agencies including Weber Shandwick to the global creative experience agency.
His strategic leadership will help drive Bearded Kitten’s growth initiatives in the Australian market, building on the momentum created since the Sydney office launched last year.
“In a world where creative experiences have become increasingly predictable and programmatic, I was instantly drawn to Bearded Kitten’s unique festival-first approach to audience engagement,” Panchal said.
“Their vertical runway for Farage’s Two Point One launch – where models defied gravity instead of walking a traditional catwalk – showcases the innovative thinking that resonates with Australian audiences. I’m excited to help this talented team bring their Kitten-inspired transformation to the vibrant APAC market.”
Barney Sutton, founder and CEO of Bearded Kitten, said: “Vinny’s appointment represents a pivotal moment for our Australian operations. His unique understanding of audience engagement and proven ability to transform brand moments into cultural phenomena makes him ideal to help bring our festival DNA to the APAC market. For us, every event should feel like stepping into a new world and Vinny inherently understands how to create those immersive experiences.”
Bearded Kitten has already established momentum in the Australian market with the Mailchimp FWD Conference, returning to Sydney on March 26th. This event builds on the company’s impressive global portfolio, which includes transformative experiences for Amazon, Netflix, Google, Lego and Mailchimp’s From: Here, To: There conference in London.
With research showing that 67% of APAC consumers desire deeper brand connections, Panchal will focus on applying Bearded Kitten’s festival psychology approach to help brands create even more meaningful experiences for Australian audiences.
From the Sydney headquarters, Panchal will collaborate with a team of creative minds, technical innovators and culture-shaping talent dedicated to proving that brand activations can deliver the same emotional impact as cultural festivals.
“This is more than just expanding our footprint,” added Panchal.
“It’s about bringing our festival-inspired approach to Australia’s already dynamic experience landscape – one that infuses energy and community spirit into every brand interaction. We’re inviting brands seeking unforgettable experiences and creators who champion fun to join us in this movement.”
Top image: Vinny Panchal