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.
Built by former brand-side marketers with more than 20 years of experience navigating complex advertising ecosystems, we understand the pressures modern marketing teams face.
That experience is what led us to create Bench Media. A full-service, independent media agency designed to deliver smarter media planning and buying through advanced data, audience targeting and clear return on investment.
At Bench, we have invested heavily in one of Australia’s most advanced media and data stacks, alongside proprietary technology that enables real-time management, optimisation and transparency across digital and above-the-line campaigns.
Our goal is simple: to help brands make better, more confident decisions about their media investment through data-driven insight, innovative strategy and seamless execution.
Through continuous innovation, we have grown into a leading independent media agency in Australia, trusted by brands to deliver impact across ATL, digital and performance media.
Bench brings the full media mix together under one roof. We plan, buy and manage campaigns across digital, programmatic and traditional channels, with each one selected for the role it can play.
Our capabilities span:
Search Engine Marketing, capturing existing demand when people are actively looking
Paid Social, reaching and converting audiences across Meta, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, Reddit and other relevant platforms
Programmatic and Display, using data, technology and premium inventory to find audiences across the open web
Online Video, YouTube and BVOD, combining targeted reach with the storytelling power of video
Television and Cinema, building broad awareness and giving brands a stronger presence in high-attention environments
Radio, Streaming Audio and Podcasts, reaching people during moments when screens are not competing for their attention
Outdoor and Digital Out-of-Home, creating visibility across the places people live, work, travel and shop
Print and Publishing, including newspapers, magazines, inserts and catalogue distribution
The value is not in using every channel. It is in knowing which ones belong in the plan, how they work together best and where your investment is most likely to make a difference.
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.
Strategy Lead
Andrea Samuel
Meet Andrea, a strategic thinker who loves getting to the heart of a business challenge. With more than 20 years’ experience across business, brand and marketing strategy in Australia and Asia-Pacific, she brings together customer understanding, market intelligence and data to uncover opportunities and shape smarter media strategies. Having worked with brands including Samsung, L’Oréal, Ferrero, Mondelēz, LVMH and Citi, Andrea knows how to turn complex challenges into clear, actionable thinking. Curious, collaborative and commercially focused, she helps clients ask better questions, challenge convention and make media decisions that drive meaningful, measurable growth.
