HANNAH

MELANSON

Hey, I’m Hannah.

I’m a self-confessed word nerd and creative director based in Sydney.

Born and raised in the depths of the Canadian wilderness. Lived and learned in cities around the world. Settled in Australia’s ad land for the last 10 years and counting.

At the moment, I’m the Digital Creative Director at Innocean.

I spend most of my days leading the creative transformation and integration on behalf of the agency’s biggest clients, specialising in brand experience, connected campaigns and data-fuelled storytelling.

When I’m not doing that, you’ll find me providing creative consulting at lowercase: a brand experience advisory specialising in acts, not ads.

And when I’m not doing that or that, you’ll catch me moonlighting as an amateur chef, sommelier, food stylist and florist.

Basically, I spend all my time making things for people.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I’m currently…

Working on a new brand platform, a podcast, a handful of end-to-end campaigns and an industry event.

Writing and rewriting the same novella that will never really be finished.

Daydreaming about my future wine bar and providore.

Indefinitely planning my next dinner party menu.

Where I’ve been...

Digital Creative Director

Innocean
2023-Current

Creative Director

lowercase
2023 - Current

Associate Creative Director

Digitas Australia
2021-2023

Copy Director

Digitas Australia
2020-2021

Senior Copywriter

Digitas Australia
2018-2020

Copywriter

DigitasLBi
2015-2018

Content Manager

We Are Social
2014-2015

Editorial Writer

Notable Life
2013-2014

Co-Founder

Harland Wine Co.
2016-2019

Things I’ve learned...

Carleton University

B.A. Honours, English
Literature & Creative Writing

University of Leeds

B.A. Honours, English
Literature

Advertising Council Australia

AWARD
Creative Leadership

MHFA Australia

Mental Health First
Aid Certification

What people say...

Hannah is an inspiring example of a creative who’s grown her own career by focusing on growing her agency. She was a founding member of Digitas ANZ's award-winning creative team and was the longest-serving member of our tight knit squad.

Her craft, mentorship and leadership have been invaluable contributions to the growth of our creative team from three people in Sydney to 23 creatives across four offices in two countries.

Deep empathy, an unwavering commitment to her craft and an instinct for elevating the impact of those around her make Hannah a one-of-a-kind creative leader.

—Simon Brock

ECD & GM, Digitas ANZ

When Hannah first asked if I could write a short testimonial, my first reaction was a hard no. How could I be expected to put words together for one of the finest creative writers of our generation? What would she think of my poor grammar? You see, Hannah has such capacity for concept and craft, I’m just not sure my words would do justice to her creativity.

I’ve seen her break-through so many barriers and develop so quickly, from a junior writer to one of the most well-rounded, hard working, inspiring and integrated creatives I’ve ever known. When I find the words, I’ll write something to capture just how brilliant Hannah is. But hopefully, by then, you’ve already witnessed it yourself.

—ian gough

SVP Global Growth, WPP

Hannah drove invaluable impact for the business during her seven years at Digitas.

Not only did she help grow the agency and cultivate a connected culture from satellite offices around the country, her rare insight into the realities of remote work made steering the agency through periods of rapid transformation effortless, adapting our ways of working at speed and at scale.

I don’t know where Digitas would be without the unique perspective and guidance Hannah has provided. She’s more than a future leader in the making, she’s already there.