InfrastructureAgency

chocolate is a design studio focused on developing and integrating brands across the design spectrum.

We are dedicated to creating the perfect recipe for relevant, innovative and effective design solutions to differentiate clients' brands and support marketing campaigns. We listen to what our clients are saying and work hard to develop the solutions to meet their objectives.

Our clients deal directly with the creative principals who can empower a client's business aims into strong corporate branding solutions. Our creative branding ideas are underpinned by marketing and strategy specialists who create the structure and strategy to allow clients to make the desired impact in their industry and contribute to every phase of their customer acquisition and retention.

chocolate successfully manages the development and complete integration of each one of their clients' brands over its lifetime. Most of chocolate's clients have been with the agency since its inception, indicating a strong level of trust by its clients. Together, the chocolate team draw on their extensive industry experience with both small and large national and international corporate brands to assist startup or refreshed brands to make a difference using available marketing budgets.



Mike has over 20 years Strategic Marketing experience, building on his Bachelor Of Commerce (with Hons.) Degree.

Mike began his career in a marketing role at Mars Confectionery, assisting in the coordination of large scale new product launches.

Mike then moved on to Ampol Petroleum, with a number of years as Marketing Manager, where he coordinated a number of large-scale events, including handling the marketing aspects of a merger with Caltex.

Moving on to Lake Technologies, where Mike took on the role of Marketing Director of a mid sized software development company, re-packaging a highly technical suite of proprietary technologies aimed at the Consumer Electronics industry. After three years of living in the USA, and with long stints in both Korea and Japan, Mike was instrumental in the exclusive licensing of Lake Technologies to Dolby Laboratories. Lake Tech. Listed on the ASX in Nov 99.

As a Consultant since 1998, Mike has been engaged by numerous companies to provide technology based strategic marketing services.

Amongst these was a six month role with Telstra, performing a strategic review, and then re-launching the under performing Mobilenet digital Pre-Paid product suite. New channels to market were introduced. Internet and phone based re-charge of pre-paid mobile accounts was implemented at this time. Mike was also strongly involved in establishing links with youth targeted retailers.

Mike has also consulted to Mayne Logistics on e-commerce initiatives, Pacific Commerce (an on-line community portal provider) for 'go to market' assistance, and Compaq where a 'clicks and mortar' project was initiated, investigating new sales channels. A contract with MBF then saw Mike complete an on-line strategy for this Health Insurance provider.

Recently Mike has performed a major contract for Athletics Australia to develop a new children's sporting program, worked with RMG Limited, Australian Healthcare Providers Asia, PJACC, Project Blueprint, Myretsu, and Australian Home Care Services.

Mike has also overseen strategic marketing work performed for The Melbourne Wedding Registry, iSOFT, Endeavour >55 Living, National Hearing Care, Soma Health, and others.

Mike founded chocolate based on demand for his strategic consulting skills, and experience in high technology project coordination.


Simon's expertise is in the establishment and enhancement of businesses. This expertise is not restricted to one business sector and is accompanied by hard core project management experience.

Originally having a background in commercial property valuation and development analysis, Simon's role was to ensure the potential of each particular investment was met.

His adeptness in ensuring the potential of a project, situation or business is reached was illustrated early in his professional career at Ochre Development. Simon was charged with the responsibility of providing all elements of the physical business infrastructure to support the rapid growth of an emerging company. Ochre Development employed 8 people at the time Simon took on his role. Over a 20-month period he developed and executed the business infrastructure support strategy that allowed for the growth of the company from 8 to 67 employees.

In 1995 he became Managing Director of Markets by Storm; a business strategy consultancy who specialised in corporate strategy which exploited emerging technologies for the rapid market penetration of new services and products.

Markets by Storm developed and implemented key strategies for clients such as two of Australia's top banks, the establishment of the Private Banking arm of a German based financial institution, strategy development for an International Consulting firm, strategies which allowed an Australian commercial television network to enter new markets complimentary to their existing business, and initiatives for Australia's top online media company.

Simon then became Managing Director of eMCSaatchi Australia. eMCSaatchi is the business and online strategy arm of M&CSaatchi. He successfully established the new division in Australia, and provided strategic advice and managed key projects for corporate clients.

Simon is the Sydney based Principal of chocolate, charged with strategic consulting services and the Sydney full service agency function which incorporates his passion for design.