the solution you need

As a digital marketing and advertising agency Design + Marketing integrates the most recent technology into all of our client campaigns to compete with other social marketing agencies. This includes working in the space of a social media marketing agency and providing clients with activations and campaigns as well as graphic design output that integrates social media marketing, social media advertising, content marketing, social network advertising and smm marketing.

creative and digital
summed up

Through research and proven processes, we specialise in executing a tailored approach. From powerful brand creative, omnichannel frameworks, digital design & strategy, social media services, marketing campaigns & activations, we partner with companies to connect with the right audiences.

With an exceptional 25-year reputation of excellence and integrity, Design + Marketing is a trusted boutique agency delivering innovative marketing and design solutions. We specialise in digital strategy, innovative design, creative thinking and activation, efficiently delivering to the retail, corporate, community, retirement, and commercial property sector.

At Design + Marketing, we believe in a collaborative, bespoke approach, where we explore and craft campaigns to drive growth for our long-term partners, to consistently meet objectives and deliver a strong return on investment. Our team of experienced creative professionals are 'always ready' to leverage cutting-edge AI technologies to amplify brands for impactful results.

Be the first to know about our latest insights and industry updates by following our Agency Newsletter On a Positive Note @ D+M.

Experience the personal touch, whether you seek digital strategy expertise or creative design solutions, connect with our Director, Julie Furlong, and discuss how D+M can elevate your brand or next campaign.

bespoke services

The real magic behind a creative masterpiece, a brand strategy or a clever campaign doesn't happen in an instant, but rather through the process of connecting ideas and honing them into something truly exceptional. Creativity is not a one-time event, but rather a journey of discovery and refinement. For creative individuals, criticism is an inevitable part of the process. And if you're passionate about your work, like I am, you'll likely experience moments of self-doubt and fear, especially when I am presenting something new to our partners. However, it's only those who are resilient in the face of criticism and remain unfazed by the fear of rejection, who will make a lasting impact. Being highly intelligent does not guarantee creative success. Rather, it's a combination of being smart and putting in the time and effort to refine the craft. The most creative people are those who are willing to invest their time and energy, immerse themselves into the project and respond to criticism in a way that fuels their next cycle of creativity. In today's cluttered marketplace, with many media & communication options and platforms, it's more important than ever to have a strong identity that comes from the creative journey, and brand strategy that sets you apart from the competition. With so many companies competing for attention, it can be tempting to take try and stay on top with shortcuts or rely on generic, uninspiring marketing strategies, AI tools and quick design apps for the solution. However, doing so will only result in your brand, campaign or great idea blending in with the rest and being easily forgotten. To truly stand out and be remembered, you need to invest time and effort in creating bespoke branding & campaigns that reflect something unique, yet relevant to what you are offering. Your creative assets and campaigns are more than just your logo or taglines. It's the essence of your company and what will set you apart from others. To create a strong brand, you need to understand your target audience and what they want from your company. You need to communicate your USP and value proposition, what makes you different from everyone else, and what you stand for. This will help to develop a consistent message that will resonates with your target audience and builds trust and loyalty. To create a bespoke branding strategy and/or campaigns, you need to take a holistic approach that considers all aspects of your company's image and reputation. This includes your brand assets, website, advertising, customer service... your entire omni-channel approach. Everything should be consistent and reflect your brand's values and messaging, creating a cohesive identity that customers can easily recognise and remember. Gone are the days of relying on generic marketing strategies or pushing out a message that doesn't resonate with your target audience. Today's consumers are savvy and want to see brands that they can connect with on a personal level and feel part of a community. To stand out, you need to create a marketing strategy with the right processes and frameworks that are tailored to your specific target audience needs and wants. This could include digital advertising, influencer marketing, content marketing, and all the other relevant touchpoints. With the rise of technology and AI, there are more options available than ever for marketers. However, it's important to remember that technology is just a tool, and it's the creative thought and strategy behind it that will make your brand truly stand out. By taking shortcuts and relying solely on technology, you risk compromising your brand and losing the personal connection with your target audience. Investing the time and effort into creating bespoke branding, campaigns and marketing strategy will most definitely require more work upfront, but it will pay off in the long term. By having this strong and recognisable approach, you'll be able to build trust and loyalty with your audience, and consumers will remember long after they've made a purchase. D+M is all about bespoke branding, creativity and marketing, I have spent my entire career ensuring our processes guarantee that our partners stand out in the crowded marketplace. Our team takes the time to understand the audience and develop an unique creative approach, step by step to create fresh and unique campaigns and branding that will resonate and stand out from the competition. So, don't take shortcuts or rely on generic strategies. Invest in your campaign or brand upfront, while you focus on your core business! Creativity is within your reach if you can cultivate the proper habits. You need to cultivate proper habits because connecting the dots and thinking creatively is a process for all of us. It's a long-term process rather than a single event. Those people who are more inclined to expose themselves to new ideas, people who don't mind embarrassing themselves, get to improve upon their creativity. Those people who wrestle with creative ideas for years, get to refine their ideas and reap the fruits of their labors. In an excellent post about creative thinking, writer James Clear exposes the myth that is the "eureka" moment, the so-called "light bulb" moment or the "aha!" moment. He demonstrates that a single flash of genius isn't really what it is made out to be by citing the most iconic eureka moment in the history of scientific storytelling: When Sir Isaac Newton saw an apple fall to the ground in 1666. When you think of Isaac Newton, you're probably thinking he was born a genius... but, he wasn't. When Newton was young, he did so poorly in grade school that his teachers gave up on improving his grades. And yet, he grew up to become the greatest English mathematician of his generation. How did he do it? He kept improving himself throughout his life, despite any ridicule and disapproval he faced. Concerning Newton's most famous work on gravitation, Clear writes: "In 1666, one of the most influential scientists in history was strolling through a garden when he was struck with a flash of creative brilliance that would change the world. While standing under the shade of an apple tree, Sir Isaac Newton saw an apple fall to the ground. 'Why should that apple always descend perpendicularly to the ground,' Newton wondered. 'Why should it not go sideways, or upwards, but constantly to the earth's center? Assuredly, the reason is, that the earth draws it. There must be a drawing power in matter.' And thus, the concept of gravity was born." However, what people fail to realize, Clear continues, is that Newton worked on his ideas about gravity for nearly twenty years. It wasn't until 1687, that he consolidated his brilliant thoughts and published his groundbreaking book, The Principia: Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy. "The falling apple was merely the beginning of a train of thought that continued for decades," Clear points out. In other words, the real creative work, the connecting of the dots, the bridging of seemingly unrelated and obscure ideas, happened between the years when he first got the flash of insight and when he published his iconic book. Creativity is a process, not a single event.
Design MarketingOmnichannel Marketing (480)

Marketing
Strategy

Marketing plans, creative thinking, marketing & design outsourcing solutions

Design MarketingWeb Design and Development

Web Design & Development

Design, website care, SEO Optimisation & Google AdWords (SEM), wireframes, UI & UX

Design MarketingInnovative Design

Innovative
Design

Art direction and bespoke creative

Design MarketingMarketing Campaigns

Marketing
Campaigns

CTA, activations, promotions, experiences - project management & implementation

Design-MarketingBrand-Creation

Digital Design & Digital Strategy

Digital advertising, social & affiliate marketing with Web3

Design MarketingBrand Creation

Brand
Creation

Brand journeys, positioning, tool kits, style guide & development

Design MarketingSocial Media Services

Social Media
Services

Platforms, frameworks, affiliates, influencers & reporting

Design MarketingWorkshop & Brainstorm Facilitation

Content
Strategy

Copywriting, bespoke messaging & editing

Design MarketingMarket Research, Measuring & Reporting

Media
Strategy

Co-ordination & placement

Omnichannel Marketing

Omnichannel
Marketing

Frameworks for seamless implementation

positively balanced

Julie Furlong

FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR
  • Bespoke Marketing Strategy
  • Brand Specialist
  • Digital Strategy
  • Creative Thinker
  • Marketing Campaigns
  • Omnichannel Marketing
  • Innovative Designer
  • Content Strategy

With an extensive 33 years of experience delivering strategic marketing strategy within parameters that are achievable and realistic in the ever-evolving marketing landscape, Julie has proven to be a visionary leader for the Design + Marketing team. Her positive, growth mindset has led to remarkable success and numerous partnerships with multinational companies, resulting in the delivery of over 26,000 powerful brands, strategies, concepts, campaigns and projects during her impressive career. She has an exceptional reputation as a creative thinker having worked extensively within the property, retail, tourism and advertising industries.

Her forward-thinking, strategic approach and creative thinking ability have played a vital role in shaping the success of the agency. Julie possesses a deep understanding of digital strategy, content strategy, AI technology and omnichannel marketing. Coupled with the ability to think objectively outside the box, she ensures that her partners receive tailored and impactful marketing solutions, delivering every project to the best standard, on time and on budget. Furthermore, Julie’s expertise and approach have consistently optimised marketing budgets, ultimately contributing to the ROI with long-term partners including Lendlease, GenesisCare, MIRVAC, Vivacity, Arkadia, JLL, Colliers, CBRE, PIA, Fraser’s Property, Vivacity Property, Qantas, Woolworths and Stockland.

Connect with Julie on LinkedIn

Visit Noted

Frances Balana

CREATIVE
DIRECTOR
  • Art Direction
  • Brand Creation
  • Innovative Design
  • Marketing Campaigns
  • Digital & Web Design
  • Omnichannel Marketing
  • Social Media Services

Frances is an innovative and driven creative specialist, with over 15 years of professional experience and a wealth of knowledge, working across well-established creative agencies for a variety of multinational brands such as Carlton United Breweries, Kelloggs, Coca-Cola Amatil and P&G in addition to Design + Marketing’s client base. As a strategic Creative Director, she specialises in brand & concept development, integrated campaigns with holistic activation, web design & development and effective omnichannel marketing along with AI driven creative platforms to deliver focused, successful results, on deadline, to the highest possible standard. A true professional, leading the Design + Marketing creative team, Fran has a proven track record of consistently delivering with a personal touch and approachable personality.

Her wealth of experience has provided her with an extensive network of industry contacts, granting her access to the latest trends and technologies that push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. She thrives on embracing challenges and staying ahead of the curve, continually seeking opportunities to learn and grow. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Frances is also an advocate for giving back to the community as she actively participates in mentorship programs and charitable initiatives.

Connect with Fran on LinkedIn

Responsible humans

At Design + Marketing we believe in more than just the bottom line. With 25 years of experience in the industry, we've learned that true success is not only measured in profits but also in the positive impact we can make. We are committed to giving back to our community and nurturing the environment we all share.

Our dedication to responsible business practices extends to our support for charitable organisations. From our close-knit local neighbour, the Neutral Bay Community Centre, to our heartfelt partnership with NAPA, a global organization providing innovative therapy services to children with neurological and developmental needs, we strive to make a difference in the lives of those in need.

We are passionate supporters of the Balmoral Swim, an initiative that has been raising vital funds for cancer-related charities since 1990. In particular, we proudly support the Children's Cancer Institute, a cause that holds a special place in our hearts.

At our core, we are not just business professionals; we are responsible humans dedicated to creating a positive impact, fostering a sense of community, and leaving a lasting legacy of giving back.

  • – Marketing Director, Greenland Australia

    "We have found that Julie and Fran provide just the right mix of expertise, creative thinking and customer service to meet our requirements. Having worked on a number of retail projects with them, they have listened carefully every time to the brief and come up with a solution. Creative design projects are always approached with enthusiasm and a focus to deliver on-time."

    – Marketing Director, Greenland Australia
  • – Marketing & Sales Director, Vivacity

    "D+M are an easy-to-work-with creative agency - going above and beyond to deliver upon your marketing strategy and frameworks. They have successfully increased our website traffic significantly, and achieved close to 1 million impressions during our past campaign period. Following our marketing campaign, they also provided terrific insight into who our customers are, which has helped further tailor recent marketing campaigns, messaging & content."

    – Marketing & Sales Director, Vivacity
  • – Toombul Marketing Manager, Toombul Shopping Centre

    “I'd like to sincerely thank you, Fran and Julie for all of your support over the years, it has been an absolute pleasure working with you (and seeing your creative vision come to life for Toombul!) and I'll particularly miss your positivity and happy nature Jo! We appreciate everything you've done for the centre and I'm sure (we) will remain in touch for future campaigns and concepts. Hopefully, I get the chance to work again with you all in the future.”

    – Toombul Marketing Manager, Toombul Shopping Centre
  • – Regional Marketing Manager, Arkadia

    “The versatile skill set at D+M goes far beyond any other creative & digital agency I have worked with.Their exceptionally good at a strategic approach to any campaign big or small, which separates them from other agencies. They have the ability to digest and interpret any type of brief and make relevant recommendations that make sense. Without fail they consistently deliver engaging, creative and beautiful campaigns (on and off line) that align the branding, within deadline. All the while providing exceptional client service that always leaves me feeling positive, happy and excited after each interaction with any member of the team.”

    – Regional Marketing Manager, Arkadia
  • – Marketing Manager, Property Investors Alliance

    “You've been an instrumental part of Team PIA over the past couple of years. Assisting us in creating and building our departmental brands, launching new businesses, creating project branding and everything in between. I thank you for your contribution to the growing success of our brand - it takes a village, and you were a valued villager in this process.”

    – Marketing Manager, Property Investors Alliance
  • – Director, Stellar Market Research

    “We recently commissioned Design Marketing to help us with a re-design of our website. The team came up with a number of thoughtful, attractive and functional options that encapsulated the essence of our business and what we wanted to communicate to clients and the broader market.”

    – Director, Stellar Market Research
  • – National Marketing Manager, Mirvac Retail

    "Julie and her design studio Sydney team just get it... they take the time to form a close relationship with your business so they can truly understand your objectives and work tirelessly alongside you on developing marketing strategies to deliver success."

    – National Marketing Manager, Mirvac Retail
  • – Hamlet Rosemeadow Marketing Manager

    It's been great working with the boutique agency D&M - always easy, productive and with a successful result. I'm sure there will be many more opportunities in the future!"

    – Hamlet Rosemeadow Marketing Manager

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