Meet The Team
Ambitious, talented and passionate about providing clients with fresh, innovative marketing techniques and web design solutions.
James Richardson
Sales Director
James Richardson started his online career by running online Sports Fan sites (luckily none are still online today), with the pinnacle of the site being a write up in the Sunday Herald Sun 'Wired' column.
His professional career began at a ASX listed company, Melbourne IT, where he held various senior roles across the Sales and Marketing teams, before deciding to venture out on his own.
Running several successful online websites and businesses himself, he is well placed at understanding your business needs.
Daniel Zuccon
Operations Director
Daniel Zuccon made his first website in 1998 for a friend in exchange for a skateboard. (Don't worry, his programming skills are far better than his short-lived skating career!).
Since then, he has run several online businesses including boutique eCommerce stores and large online communities, so he understands the issues Australian businesses face every day.
Nathan Davies
Business Development Manager
Nathan brings a wealth of experience to the Optimising team with a list of credentials too long to list here! He has a strong SEO/PPC background, both in-house and agency, and believes that SEO contributes to a business' bottom line in a meaningful way.
Nathan is an avid soccer, basketball and rugby fan; though, he openly admits his on-field skills definitely don't match his business development skills. He claims that winning ‘Best Looking Salesman' was a proud moment in his life. We doubt this ever happened, but we're willing to let it slide.
Nathan is our 'go to' guy for business marketing and business development, so if you've got a question feel free to contact him here.
Trishan Naidoo
Paid Search Account Manager
Trishan graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) and a Bachelor of Laws. He has over five years of experience in marketing, most recently as a Marketing Manager at an international software company.
Prior to that role he worked as an Online Marketing Consultant to various small and medium- sized firms both in Australia and abroad. Trishan is an AdWords Qualified Individual.
In his spare time he is a keen poker player, fisherman and sports enthusiast who supports the mighty Essendon Bombers.
Lachlan Wells
Account Manager
Lachlan is an ex-sandgroper who traded the crystal blue waters of Cottesloe Beach for the dreary grey skies of Melbourne. Thankfully, his role as Digital Content Marketer at Optimising, as well as the opportunity to go out on a Monday night, is making it all worthwhile.
After completing a Marketing degree, he started his career in the print heavy world of recruitment advertising (a lot's changed since 2007). As an Account Manager, his job was to become an expert in his client's business, which ranged from global gold mining companies to small independent schools.
In the last few years, he has levelled-up his nerd credentials and creative writing skills in AFA AWARD School. He could care less about AFL, he's too busy worrying about content for his clients.
Simon Lawrenson
Web Developer
After graduating from Leeds Metropolitan University, Simon held a number of developer positions in the north of England. With a passion for development but a keen eye for design, it's the perfect combination for delivering beautifully crafted, pixel-perfect websites with the functionality to match.
Dreaming of blue skies and golden beaches he traded England for Australia, only to arrive in Melbourne during the cold winter months. Luckily the cold didn't deter him and he loves to experience everything that Melbourne has to offer.
Linda Dwyer
Account Manager
Linda is fascinated by the way a good story can grab an audience. After completing a Media Arts degree and a stint in publishing and film distribution, her curiosity about how to attract the right audience was really switched on.
The natural thing to do was a Masters of Marketing whilst also learning Spanish, trying to master hula hoop tricks and learn handstands. Amongst all of this, she discovered a passion for turning research and data analysis into creative and online PR strategies.
Now that she's one of the team at Optimising, she'll love nothing more than to find the right audience for your story (while still trying to perfect those handstands).
Jim Hamill
Developer
Jim tried to write his own biography in code, but was advised against it.
He has a passion for all things web and technology – especially if it's open-source. This has led him to building a few of his own free programs that he will one day share with the world.
Jim has led large development projects for major sporting clubs, insurance companies and more.
Jack Reid
Account Manager
Jack is a fine Englishman who studied in the beautiful south in Brighton. While over there, he gained a wealth of knowledge working for Screaming Frog and coming the other side of the equator, enduring 3 months in China and other Southeastern countries before trying his luck in Australia.
He decided to settle in Melbourne, as he claims the winter is similar to the British Summer and reminds him of home.
In his spare time, Jack likes to play a bit of ultimate (frisbee) and day dream of where his next adventure will take him.
Paul Abbott
Business Development Manager
Having worked in marketing and commercial roles around the world, Paul brings extensive experience in fostering long-term, commercial relationships to the Optimising team.
A professional armchair sportsman, Paul spends half of his year preparing for his 'Mighty Tiges' to win the flag. In the off-season you'll see him reading an inordinate number of books and speaking French.
Despite popular belief, Paul does not enjoy writing autobiographical pieces but does thrive on the fast pace of digital.
Sophie Herrington
Account Manager
Sophie graduated with a Commerce degree majoring in Marketing at Monash University. After getting a taste for an international lifestyle through a semester studying in Denmark and a high school exchange in France, she decided after graduation she wanted to live abroad again but this time gaining international workplace experience.
She secured an internship at a digital marketing agency in central London. From day one she fell in love with SEO and stayed on working at the agency, an eye-opening experience. However, her heart will always be in Melbourne so she decided to say goodbye to the grey rainy weather and joined Optimising.
Outside of work she can be found exploring the Melbourne food scene, sipping on tea and enjoying a good film.
Piers Mossuto
Account Manager
Piers is an Account Manager with over 9 years of experience working within international companies and small businesses.
His professional career spans from roles in the fashion industry, managing one of Australia's best known t-shirt labels in Melbourne and China, to managing clients for ASX listed training organisations.
In his spare time, Piers runs a successful eCommerce business which funds his coffee addiction whilst fuelling his passion for all things online.
Adam Kelly
Account Manager
Adam hails from the wind-swept country town of Warrnambool, where for the past 3 years he owned and operated his own digital marketing company. Focusing on results and return on investment, Adam established himself as the ‘go-to’ resource for all things web in South West Victoria.
Prior to returning to ‘The Bool’, Adam was based in Singapore where he cut his teeth on the global marketing stage; helping international businesses large and small, achieve outstanding results from the web.
When he isn’t reading up on the latest online marketing trends, Adam is a keen snowboarder and enjoys following two of his favourite teams, the Chicago Bulls & Essendon Bombers.
Cayla Demske
Accounts Executive
While currently studying her MBA at Deakin, Cayla assumes the position as Accounts Executive.
Cayla's passion for travel was ignited during a travel course in Mexico while studying at the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay. Post graduation, with four years of corporate HR experience and multiple international trips under her belt, she decided on an extended international trip and took a late "Gap Year" to Australia. Two years later, it looks like Australia gets to keep her!
She is an avid Green Bay Packers fan, but is starting to get around the AFL - go Roos! Outside of school and work, you can find her running around Princes Park, enjoying live music and indulging in the Melbourne coffee scene.
Our Company
Founded in 2008 by Daniel & James, Optimising has grown from a tiny shared city office with 1 small window, to one of the leading Melbourne digital agencies.
"We noticed there was a gap in the market for a transparent, and and customer-focused agency, and felt that we could really make a difference to the clients we were working for than they were currently seeing from their agency" James said.
Starting with a big focus on SEO, Optimising have over the years worked on a wide range of projects and expanded into areas such as PPC, Social Media, Web and Application Development.
Optimising pride itself on its great people. The team who work at Optimising are dedicated to our clients, and always ensuring we are at the bleeding edge. In a very competitive and constantly changing market, it's our attention to detail and transparency that really sets us apart.
Our office, located on Punt Road, Richmond and just a good kick to the famous Richmond Football ground. It's a light filled open-space that helps us to work collaboratively, in between taking a break on the rooftop terrace, or battling it out on our original NBA Jam arcade machine.
We have big plans at Optimising, and continue to strive to do more for our clients, and our people to make this happen.
