Meet our people

Simon Bookallil CEO + Co-founder Simon Bookallil CEO + Co-founder Simon has over 25 years of integrated marketing experience. Prior to starting Bashful, Simon founded Spin Communications working across advertising, digital, events and PR. He was a director and partner at Australian Fashion Week, Tropfest and Bowl-A-Rama. Simon founded Bashful because he wanted to create great work and have fun while doing it. He is also on a relentless pursuit to find the perfect beef ragu. Emil Vrisakis Creative Director + Co-founder Emil Vrisakis Creative Director + Co-founder With over 20 years experience, Emil has created global campaigns for Wrangler Jeans, Zimmermann and KMS. With extensive knowledge of the travel industry, he has told 18-34 year olds they can 'Go Further' with Contiki as well as established that P&O Cruises is truly 'Like No Place On Earth'. David Astwood General Manager + Partner David Astwood General Manager + Partner David’s advertising experience spans 15 years, two continents and multiple categories from FMCG to Education to Tech. Past and present clients include HMV UK, London Metropolitan University, P&O Cruises, Twinings and VF Asia. David oversees day-to-day operations at Bashful. Guy Marshall Strategy Director + Partner Guy Marshall Strategy Director + Partner Guy cut his teeth working at multinationals on Coca Cola, MasterCard and Microsoft. He joined Bashful in 2013 looking for a more entrepreneurial, independent and creative environment. Good call. Outside of work he obsesses over the novels of Nabokov, the backhand of Federer and the anthems of Paul Kelly. Jade Ramsey-Elliot Client Services Director Jade Ramsey-Elliot Client Services Director Jade has over ten years experience in advertising across FMCG, travel and retail clients and runs Account Service and Production at Bashful. She has led major campaigns for clients such as P&O Cruises and has produced large scale TV and stills shoots in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and the USA. Vicky Barnett Finance Director Vicky Barnett Finance Director Tim Chenery Creative Director Tim Chenery Creative Director Over the last 15 years, Tim has worked on creative campaigns for dozens of brands across loads of categories in agencies both big and small. His work has been recognised at international awards shows such as D&AD, Cannes Lion, London International, OneShow, AWARD Awards, Effies, Caxtons, Sirens, ADMA and TED Ads Worth Sharing, including a recent GrandPrix at Spikes Asia for Bashful. Garreth Wills Head of Digital Creative Garreth Wills Head of Digital Creative Garreth is a vastly experienced creative with a focus on digital. As the digital creative lead, he’s directed the product vision, experience design and creative across interactivity, user interfaces and social experiences for clients such as for Zimmermann, Wrangler Asia, Levi’s Japan and P&O Cruises.

Bashful People First

At Bashful we have a staff retention and rewards program called People First. It’s based on a philosophy that our staff are bloody important. If we look after them then they will look after our clients and deliver awesome work. It’s a virtuous cycle and one that we consider to be at the heart of our agency.
Food Sorted

Bashful don’t want hangry workers so we provide a fully stocked kitchen and pantry for breakfast and lunch.
Training

We have an external training budget available to all staff that have been with us for more than a year.
Maternity / Paternity Leave

We offer four weeks paid leave after one year and eight weeks after four years. Secondary caregivers are not forgotten and receive half of this.
Summer Fridays

Over the Summer months we close the office at 4pm every Friday so staff can get their weekend started early.
Employee of the year awards

We have an all staff vote to decide on employee of the year and they receive one week extra leave and $1,000.
Family Lunch

We do this on the last Friday of each month. We get a big feast from a local restaurant into the boardroom and everyone tucks in together.
Bashful Birthday

You get a day off on the anniversary of starting at Bashful. Simple.