SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — Full-service independent agency Enigma has appointed Dean van der Merwe and Bianca Holtsbaum to the newly created roles of Design Director and Senior Business Manager, Property & Place, Enigma’s specialist property marketing division.
The senior-level appointments follow the recent launch of Property & Place (P&P) as Enigma looks to expand its client portfolio in the burgeoning property sector. Working alongside Head of Property & Place and Enigma’s Creative Director, Brand, the duo’s remit encompasses combining strategic thinking with ambitious creativity across the division’s branding and design property projects to deliver innovative solutions for client growth.
Akira Galvin, Head of Property & Place, said both Dean and Bianca were key hires for the growing division, bringing a complementary combination of skills and boosting the client offering across its architecture, placemaking, and retail brand and design capabilities.
Akira said, “I am thrilled to welcome both Dean and Bianca to the team. Dean’s keen eye and deep understanding of luxury property marketing, coupled with Bianca’s knowledge of retail and hospitality sectors, will bring new and exciting perspectives to our growing team and I’m looking forward to seeing them both settle into their new roles.
With over 15 years of architecture, design, and brand strategy experience garnered from working at a range of leading firms across Australia – most recently as lead designer at Bullet Studios – van der Merwe has specialist capabilities in all aspects of architecture, interiors, and wayfinding. He has led complex projects to market across various sectors including commercial, multi-residential, boutique residential, and hospitality venues, most recently for clients including Pointcorp, Third.i, Traders in Purple, Meriton, Sekisui House, and Lewis Land Group.
Dean shared, “Helping to build a specialized offering in an already thriving full-service agency was a unique opportunity not to be missed. I’m excited to be part of a new division that provides clients with strategically-led design solutions underpinned by media insights; that’s a true point of difference and will help lead commercial growth for our clients. Working alongside Brad (Stevens) and Akira, I’m eager to start creating some beautiful work. With market-leading tools in our toolbox, backed by a talented and results-driven team, I can’t wait to see what we can collectively deliver.”
Bianca, previously Brand Manager at Merivale where she managed large-scale brand partner activations and end-to-end integrated campaigns, brings wide-ranging account management and client service capabilities. As Senior Business Manager her remit covers project management of integrated marketing campaigns and portfolio development, across brand and creative for all clients within the P&P division.
She said, “I am very excited to join Enigma. The agency has a great reputation and a well-known track record, particularly in property. There is an energy in the agency that is infectious. We’re working on some incredible work and have some exciting things in store. I am looking forward to being a part of this team and working alongside Akira.”
Akira concluded, “Both Dean and Bianca are passionate individuals and their appointments further strengthen Enigma’s specialist property and place offering and will contribute to the continued growth of Enigma.”
Both Dean and Bianca report directly to Akira and are based in Enigma’s Sydney office. The appointments are effective immediately.
