Our story, People
& values
At Bench Media, we believe the strongest media outcomes come from strategic thinking, independent advice and the confidence to challenge convention. Founded in 2012, we are an independent, full-service media agency partnering with ambitious brands to plan, buy and optimise media across digital and above-the-line channels.
Our approach brings together media strategy, performance marketing, above-the-line advertising and data-led optimisation to deliver smarter, more effective campaigns. By connecting brands with the right audiences at the right moments, we help drive measurable growth, efficiency and long-term impact.
An independent media agency built for modern marketers
Bench Media was founded by former brand-side marketers with more than 20 years of experience navigating complex advertising and media environments. We understand the pressures marketing teams face – from demonstrating return on investment and managing fragmented channels to making confident decisions in a rapidly changing market.
That experience led us to create a different kind of full-service media agency: independent, data-led and built to bring strategy, media planning and buying, campaign activation, optimisation and measurement together under one roof.
We have invested in one of Australia’s most advanced media and data stacks, supported by proprietary technology that provides real-time visibility, optimisation and transparency across digital and above-the-line campaigns.
Our goal is simple: to help brands make smarter, more confident decisions about their media investment through data-driven insight, innovative strategy and seamless execution.
Since 2012, Bench has grown into a leading independent media agency in Australia, with teams in Sydney and Melbourne and experience supporting ambitious brands across a diverse range of industries.
Recognised by the industry
Bench has been recognised for its growth, innovation, technology and media expertise. Our achievements include multiple Deloitte Technology Fast 50 appearances, recognition among Campaign Asia-Pacific’s leading independent agencies, and awards and finalist recognition across programmatic, marketing technology and integrated media campaigns.
We are active members of the Independent Media Agencies of Australia (IMAA) and IAB Australia, and a proud partner of UnLtd. These relationships keep Bench connected to evolving industry standards, media innovation and best practice while enabling us to contribute to the wider advertising community.
Bench brings the full media mix together through one integrated strategy. As a full-service media planning and buying agency, we plan, buy, manage and optimise campaigns across digital, programmatic and traditional media, selecting each channel for the specific role it can play in delivering measurable business outcomes.
Our capabilities include:
Search Engine Marketing Advertising
Capturing high-intent demand through strategically planned and continually optimised paid search campaigns.
Social Media Ads
Reaching and converting audiences across Meta, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, Reddit and other relevant social platforms.
Programmatic and Display Advertising
Using audience data, advertising technology and premium inventory to reach the right people efficiently across the open web.
Online Video, YouTube and Video on Demand Advertising
Combining precise audience targeting with the reach and storytelling power of video.
Television and Cinema Advertising
Building broad awareness and giving brands a powerful presence in high-attention environments.
Radio, Streaming Audio and Podcasts Advertising
Reaching audiences during valuable moments when screens are not competing for their attention.
Outdoor and Digital Out-of-Home Advertising
Creating meaningful visibility across the places people live, work, travel and shop.
Print & Newspaper Advertising
Planning advertising across newspapers, magazines, inserts, catalogues and other relevant publishing environments.
Effective media strategy is not about using every available channel. It is about understanding which channels belong in the plan, the role each should play and how they can work together to make every media investment more effective.
Chief Executive Officer
Ori Gold
Meet Ori Gold, an ad tech and martech expert. Driven by the frustration of everyday marketers facing a lack of control and accessibility, Ori co-founded Bench in 2012 to revolutionise the digital advertising landscape. Heading the talented and forward-thinking team at Bench, Ori is the driving force behind the company’s strategic and product vision. Thanks to Ori’s leadership, Bench has become one of the most respected and successful digital agencies in Australia.
Chief Operating Officer
Shai Luft
Meet Shai Luft, a senior marketing executive with a proven track record of delivering results for Australia’s largest ASX200-listed companies. Despite his success, Shai was frustrated by the amount of red tape and bureaucracy that held back marketing innovation. That’s why he co-founded Bench in 2012. As the driving force behind Bench’s operations, Shai is committed to empower marketers with the agility and control they need to achieve their best results.
General Manager
Liam Garratt
Meet Liam Garratt, a creative media mind leading Bench’s top-notch products and services. With a career in advertising & media spanning over a decade, Liam has made a name for himself as a leader in the industry. He got his start in 2011 working for UK-based programmatic platform Crimtan, where he played a key role in launching the company’s Australian office. In 2017, Liam brought his expertise to Bench, where he now leads the Product & Services functions. Liam is passionate about delivering only the highest quality campaigns and services to Bench’s clients. His commitment to excellence is the foundation of Bench’s stellar reputation.
Client Growth Director
Jess Torstensson
Meet Jess Torstensson, a senior media leader with more than two decades of experience driving growth for some of Australia’s most well-known brands. Throughout her career, she’s led strategy and delivered impact for clients across automotive, retail, FMCG, finance and technology – including BYD, McDonald’s, Zambrero, Pet Circle and ubank. Jess is known for her sharp thinking, commercial instinct and her ability to turn complex challenges into clear, measurable outcomes. At Bench, Jess leads our client growth function, building strong relationships, uncovering new opportunities and helping brands scale with confidence. She brings a calm, collaborative style to every partnership, grounded in clarity, empathy and a deep passion for meaningful results.
Director of Commercial & Media Operations
Aaron Jansen
Meet Aaron Jansen, a senior digital advertising leader with over a decade of experience across ad tech, agency, and publisher environments. Since joining Bench in 2019, Aaron has been instrumental in shaping media strategies, optimising operations, and driving commercial success for some of the world’s leading brands.Aaron combines a deep understanding of the programmatic ecosystem with a passion for building high-performing teams and delivering measurable business outcomes. Known for his calm leadership and collaborative style, he ensures every campaign and initiative is grounded in data, insight, and a focus on long-term growth.
Head of Client Services
Erin Fraser
Meet Erin, our Head of Client Services. With over a decade of experience across media and tech, including Innovid, DataXu, Bonzai and Fairfax, she’s known for her calm leadership, collaborative style and focus on results. Erin is passionate about building trusted client relationships, mentoring teams and turning strategy into impact. Erin leads a high-performing team that delivers cross-channel campaigns for a diverse range of brands at Bench. She brings clarity, empathy and energy to every challenge and is always up for a great idea and a strong coffee.
