Cutt The Mutt
Cutt The Mutt
General dogs body

"I've seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts," John Steinbeck.

Cutt has been with us from the get go, he helps us understand that life is too important to be taken seriously, after all in dog years we'd be dead.

 

 

Jon Harker
Jon Harker
Director

“I often quote myself, makes me sound more interesting,” Jon Harker.

What can you say about “Harks” that he hasn’t said himself already, the company’s founder and driving force…
 

 

Starting in newspapers when they still used typewriters, chain smoked and called the copygirls “boy” Harker went on to build one of the most versatile and successful careers in Australian media and corporate life. 

An award winning journalist with a passion for storytelling and effecting the way corporations engage their customers, Jon founded Hark Attack in 1996 with a view to deliver on both of these areas. Hence the company’s dual focus on media and the corporate world.
 
During his media career Harker has written, directed and produced television programs and documentaries, hosted national programs and called numerous international sporting events. On radio he has hosted his own current affairs programs, anchored the coverage of state and federal elections and covered the major stories of the time. A former newspaper journalist and columnist, Harker has also written and directed television commercials and produced the full spectrum of corporate communications and marketing materials.
 
Harker’s corporate work includes an emphasis on using content to engage, motivate and educate both customers and staff. He has a long history of producing effective communication programs that deliver measurable results.

 

Paul Steindl
Paul Steindl
Head of Production
"I hate television. I hate it as much as peanuts. But I can't stop eating peanuts," Orson Welles.
 
Paul produces outstanding, award winning television against tight deadlines and under budgetary pressure. He has worked the spectrum from editor, to on the road producer, series producer and executive producer. 

 

Paul began his career in current affairs at the BBC in London and has spent a lifetime exploring the world and its major stories. Over almost 40 years Steindl has visited the world's hotspots including time spent in:

  • Afghanistan
  • Iran
  • Pakistan
  • Cuba
  • Europe
  • America
  • South America
  • South East Asia

In his time as a producer and executive producer at Sunday, Steindl was responsible for developing and delivering award winning long-form public affairs stories, winning multiple awards including:

  • New York Festival awards
  • Walkleys
  • The UN Media Award
  • HERIOC
Kieran ‘spud’  Murphy
Kieran ‘spud’ Murphy
Creative Director Content

"I love the far-fetched and the bizarre, meshing sophisticated visuals with wonderful characters and great dialogue. If I had to give my style of work a name it would be ‘Hyper-realism." 

concept.colour.movement.lights.camera.action.innovate.engage.inspire

Kieran ‘spud’ Murphy is one of Australia’s foremost directors. He now brings his creative flair, filmic knowledge, comic timing and unbridled enthusiasm to Hark Attack.

For 15 years he has completed hundreds of commercials, corporates, conceptualised and filmed TV openers, promos and drama for Australian, NZ and Asian Networks. 

Kieran started his career in the film industry at Colourfilm Laboratory, Sydney in 1984, working in Australia’s top Optical effects department under the eyes of designers such as Zareh Nalbandian (Animal Logic). He worked on numerous movies in the two years he was there including ‘Phar Lap’, ‘Crocodile Dundee’ and ‘The Man from Snowy River’.

He then crossed over to TV and became an editor at the Ten Network Sydney in 1986 and after just four years was awarded the Australian Thorn-EMI TV Editor of the Year in 1990. For the next 6 years he worked as a freelance commercial editor throughout the Pacific region winning countless awards.

He made his transition to Directing in 1996 and his ethos for creating stunning visuals followed. In 1997 he was recognised for his advertising work by being awarded the sole Australian position on the Saatchi and Saatchi New Directors Worldwide Showcase at Cannes. He has worked all over the world on hundreds of campaigns with all of the regions top Agencies. His work appearing numerous times on the worldwide SHOTS reels.

In TV he became the go to Director for setting up the style and look of new shows including, MasterChef, Farmer Wants a Wife, Australia’s Next Top Model, Dragons Den, Where are they Now, Good Morning Australia, My Restaurant Rules, (GOLD PROMAX Best Opening titles on Australia/NZ, 7 Network), Home & Away, The Sex Series, Looking Good.

Spud’s postproduction knowledge is evident in the seamlessness of his work. He is recognised as a director who brings a strong visual style, coupled with wonderful character performances and a comedic touch to all his work.

Awards   

2011 Winner ASTRA ‘Australia’s Next Top Model 2010’ Best Reality Show

2006 Winner GOLD Promax -‘My Restaurant Rules’ Best opening titles Oz/NZ’05

2006 GOLD Pencil @ One Show New York: ‘Tiger Interventions’ commercials

2005 1st Prize Sydney Morning Herald Landscapes Photo Comp, ‘Urban Rainbow’

2001 Winner ATV Award in Comedy: ‘Trading post’ commercials

1998 Winner Sydney Morning Herald Short Film Festival: ‘A Metro of Fridays’.

1997 Cannes sole Australian Representative on the Saatchi & SaatchiNew Directors’ Worldwide Commercial Showcase at Cannes.

1997 Australian representative on the worldwide Hot Shots commercial Director’s showacse.

1990 Winner - Thorn-EMI Australian TV Editor of the year.

Testimonials

‘Despite the tight budget and even tighter timeline, you have delivered a commercial that not only communicates the concept in an exciting way, but the quality of the finished film is fantastic’. Kate Christie, Brand Manager Dove, Unilever Australasia

‘Kieran ‘spud’ Murphy was truly professional and also a funny f**ker’.

Darren Lyons aka Mr Paparazzi: On Air talent for Dragons Den.

The McCafe ads have been the best-integrated commercials that anyone has ever done for this or any reality show. Great work mate’.

Julian Cress, Executive Producer, The Block 2011

Pete Caswell
Pete Caswell
Account Director

"Music, like marketing is all about making that special connection with your audience. It's that sublime moment when you know your message has been delivered with emotion, desirability and clarity," Pete Caswell.

When Pete isn't helping clients better connect with their customers you can catch him, guitar in hand playing gigs or just playing. Like marketing, music is a lifelong passion for which Pete has an uncanny flair.  

Before The Voice and Idol, great musicians plied their trade in smokey bars and at country footy shows, but eventually class shows out. As a marketer Pete paid his dues at the grass roots and quickly moved through the ranks to be National Promotions & Publicity Director for Sony Music, ultimately to become head of National Sales for Sony Music during their dominance of the 1990's. 

Pete's team delivered hundreds of millions in sales and three years running they were Sony's most successful worldwide affiliate. Pete then showed his versatility, heading marketing for the marquee brand of the National Rugby League, the Melbourne Storm. As John Ribot's right hand man in marketing, Pete helped grow the Storm's bottom line by over 25%, through targeted marketing, sponsorship and corporate branding. He and Ribot nurturing the most unlikely Australian sporting success story in an AFL dominated market.

Pete's marketing and media advice is highly valued, he can develop strategy, initiate and implement programs that deliver tangible bottom line results. His passion for delivery of results is unparalleled. He will find a way!!

From the Lachlan Murdoch owned DMG, to Inverleigh Media, to Gryphon, Tourism Victoria, VECCI, City of Melbourne, Hafele, Jayco and more, clients marvel at Pete's boundless energy, clear thinking and can do attitude.

 

Kerryn Pratt
Kerryn Pratt
Supervising Producer

"Writing free verse is like playing tennis with the net down," Robert Frost.

Professional tennis player, commentator, producer and storyteller, Kerryn was the first woman to host a national sports show in Australia but her eye for a great story soon moved her beyond the world of sport.

Retiring from professional tennis opened the door to Kerryn’s true calling. A degree in Journalism was followed by stints at both the Seven and Nine Network where Kerryn’s credits include:

  • The first host of Sports Sunday
  • First woman to call play by play sports in Australia
  • Four Olympics
  • Wimbledon, Australian Open, French Open and US Open tennis commentary

Kerryn was also a senior producer at the Nine flagship programs Sunday and 60 Minutes where her credits include:

  • A controversial expose on drugs in Australian sport
  • A revealing interview with Sir Elton John
  • A very human look on the difficulties facing young homosexuals
  • An investigation of the prison system in America
  • Living with Autism

Kerryn, a past member of the Australian Sports Commission is still regularly involved in tennis as a host and commentator and brings her formidable production skills to Hark Attack.

Rob Lowry
Rob Lowry
Supervising Editor

"The essence of cinema is editing," Francis Ford Coppola.

A lead Guitarist in the swinging sixties, Rob claims he still looks good in pastel and beads, our lead editor is a genius when it comes to being invisible - the art of great editing. 

Through thousands of commercials to great television, colour grading and sound mixing there's nothing Rob can't do.

1965 - Started at Artransa Film Studios

1969 - Went to Leo Burnett Advertising as assistant editor working on Peter Stuyvesant TV and cinema commercials. He then became main editor and ran the projection room/theatres working on various corporates & training videos for a large number of clients. In addition he did some agency producing work

1986 – Setup video editing facility at Fortune Communication Holdings in William Street in the city doing internal work for Schofield Sherbon Baker, Dancer Fitzgerald and Weston agencies

1989 – Started his own post production and creative suite working out of Maher & Holmes Advertising in Paddington, doing all their TVCs

2008 – Joined Hark Attack and the beat goes on

 

Suzi Ford
Suzi Ford
Photographer

"I believe in equality for everyone, except reporters and photographers," Mahatma Gandhi.

Two-time Olympic swimmer, two-time Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist, Suzi didn't let her fame end when she finally got dry. 

Her eye for a great image has seen her work at major sporting events and capturing the beauty, grandeur and quirkiness of everyday life. Suzi's work for our show Sandcastles www.sandcastlestv.com speaks for itself.

Geoff Moxham
Geoff Moxham
Aka Alan Jones

"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect," Mark Twain.

An accomplished actor, voice artist, producer and highly sort after Emcee, Geoff Moxham also has 25 years front line experience in retail marketing and learning services. It’s a unique skill set that Geoff brings to his work for Hark Attack.

Voice-Over work for:

  • Channel 7’s huge hit Find My Family (Quail TV)
  • Freehand TV: Co produced, wrote and V/O for 2GB’s Talking Pets program
  • Voiced Harry Hopman in the History of Australian Tennis. (Hark Attack Productions/Foxtel)
  • Voiced Douglas Mawson for ‘Mawson’s Hut’, narrated by Jack Thompson. (Hark Attack Productions)
  • Various V/O’s for commercial radio ads

Radio:

  • Currently co-hosts/produces a weekday morning FM radio Show, Wednesday’s Big Breakfast on 2RRR 88.5FM
  • ‘Alan Jones’ Character WSFM with Rob Duckworth 2011-12

Television:

  • Played Alan Jones in ABC1’s At Home With Julia (Quail TV) 2012
  • Development consultant, Freehand TV (Various projects) 2010 to present
  • Script writer, Freehand TV (Aus Top Gear plus several development projects)
  • Senior Casting producer for 6 x 1hr reality series, Dinner Date. Network 7 (Quail TV/Network)
  • Produced Election Special Debate for Prime TV News. (Quail TV/Prime7)
  • Playing Gary Robertson as a ‘hoax’ character in pilot: The Whisperer (Quail TV/Freehand TV)
  • Host of ‘gossip’ panel show pilot: Six Bitches (Quail TV)
  • Co-host of Men’s Health variety show pilot: ‘Check your balls’ (Quail TV)

Corporate:

  • Over 25 years experience with demonstrable success in Retail Marketing, Learning and Development, Business and Life Coaching, Professional Emcee’ing and Public Speaking, TV and Corporate Video Production, Voice-Over work and acting.
  • Designed and facilitated training and coaching for Small Business, SME and blue-chip corporate clients with outstanding results.
  • Has worked extensively with clients such as; ANZ, AUDI, Caltex Australia, Vodafone, Hutchison ‘3’, Market Pulse, Toll Contract Logistics, Bruck Textiles, Masterton Homes, The Brackenbury Group, NSW Waratahs Rugby, Quail TV, Linfox Armaguard, Allans Music, Digicall Australia, Webster and Co. (Testimonials available).
  • Was previously the learning and Development Manager NSW for Caltex Australia Ltd. Provided L & D solutions for their Retail and Distributor networks, including the design and facilitation of the 4 week induction program for Franchisee’s,  Sales Training, Customer Service, Handling Difficult Customers, Armed Holdup Survival. He also produced and hosted a ‘radio-zine’ known as Radio Advantage to some 5000 stakeholders.

 

Fred Madderom
Fred Madderom
Senior Creative

"Imagination is the beginning of creation," George Bernard Shaw.

Fred Madderom is the winner of more than 40 advertising industry awards, with Jon he is the founding partner in Hark Attack's testimonial advertising platform Would You Buy It

Fred’s expertise stems from his diverse range of experience spanning art direction, photography, film and television production to creative direction and agency principle roles. He is a past member of the Afa Ethics Committee. Fred is the principle of OnCommunication and adds swing capacity to Hark Attack in key creative roles as needed.

Juliet Stabback
Juliet Stabback
Executive Assistant

"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read," Groucho Marx.

Legendary dog lover and devourer of great literature, Jules has a long history in media service, sales and marketing, her passion and experience are invaluable to the Hark Attack team.

Ten years at News Limited, including a stint at News Of The World, where she never even saw a phone tap, gave Jules a love of multi media and in particular telling great stories. This was followed by seven years at Who Weekly - go on be honest who doesn't like a bit of celebrity gossip, although it's funny how when you get older you have less patience for those famous for being famous.

Prior to joining Hark Attack Jules was the marketing director for Fiji Island Tours - we think she just likes a good lie in the sun. Bula.

Luisa Fryday
Luisa Fryday
Everyone's boss

"I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life," Rita Rudner.

What do you get when you cross a German and a Czech, a lot more than a Skoda. German efficiency and Czech beauty, our girl Fryday is the glue that holds Hark Attack together.

With a background in FMCG marketing and advertising Luisa left her tiny town of Hunger in Germany to establish a career that has taken her to Spain, London and now home in Sydney Australia where she captured her husband.