We believe great media doesn’t just drive awareness or clicks - it drives business growth. That means connecting every decision to performance, questioning conventions, and continually finding smarter, faster, more effective ways to reach and convert customers.
The Connected Media Group Story
Founded in 2012 by Laura Hamod Barnes and Joshua Barnes, Connected Media was built to challenge the traditional model. Where large networks chase scale, we stay close to what matters: authentic partnerships, commercial outcomes, creative effectiveness, and client success.
Today, our team of 25+ works nationally from Thirroul (HQ), Sydney and Melbourne, partnering with leading and emerging brands across retail/eCommerce, technology, health, finance, and FMCG. As a Google Premier Partner and multi-award-winning agency, we’re recognised for turning data, media, and AI innovation into measurable business results.
“We built Connected Media to fill a gap in the market - for brands who wanted big ideas and marketing experts, combined with the energy and service of a smaller agency . Over a decade later, that same drive still fuels us: helping our partners grow, adapt, and stay ahead.” Laura Hamod Barnes, Founder & CEO
Laura Hamod Barnes
Connected Media Group Founder & CEO
What we Stand For
Our independent structure gives us freedom to think differently and move quickly.
Our size means nothing slows us down - yet our expertise runs deep, with senior specialists who’ve led strategies for some of Australia’s most recognised brands.
Our Approach
We don’t pitch ideas we can’t deliver on or hide behind jargon.
We work with our clients as genuine partners; embedding ourselves in their business, proactively identifying growth opportunities beyond campaign delivery, and we back every recommendation with insight and evidence.
From strategic planning and performance media to market-leading reporting and attribution, every solution is built to deliver impact you can measure and growth you can see.
Industry Recognition
We’re proud to be recognised among the industry’s best, including finalists and winners across the Advertising Week Awards, Agency Excellence Awards, Microsoft Partner Awards, SEMRush Awards, AMI Awards, APAC Search Awards, Financial Review Best Places to Work, Google Honours, and B&T Women in Business Awards.
Our People
Our strength lies in our people: curious thinkers, challengers, and specialists who bring energy and expertise to every brief. With over 85% staff retention, clients benefit from continuity, passion, and a team that genuinely cares about their success.
Today, our team of 25+ works nationally from Thirroul (HQ) and Sydney, partnering with leading and emerging brands across retail/eCommerce, technology, health, finance, and FMCG. As a Google Premier Partner and multi-award-winning agency, we’re recognised for turning data, media, and AI innovation into measurable business results.
"I love the lack of barriers at Connected. I've had to unlearn the way I was taught to work and it's opened up a whole new way of thinking."
Jade Pearce, Account Director
Connected
Connected Media Group is an independent Australian media agency founded in 2012 by Laura Hamod Barnes and Josh Barnes. Headquartered in Thirroul with offices in Sydney and Melbourne, Connected combines big-agency expertise with small-agency agility to deliver integrated strategy, media buying, and performance solutions that drive measurable growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Connected Media Group is a performance-driven media agency specialising in Marketing Strategy, Media Buying & Planning, Search Engine Marketing (SEM & SEO), and Social Media Marketing. We help ambitious brands grow by combining data-led strategy, creative excellence, and channel expertise to deliver measurable commercial outcomes.
We work with a wide variety of brands - from fast-growing smaller businesses to large national and international companies - both B2B and B2C, and across virtually every industry.
Our clients value depth of thinking, accountability, and strategic clarity -making Connected Media Group a natural extension of their team.
Every engagement starts with a measurement framework tied to revenue, leads, store visitation, or other commercial KPIs. All clients have real-time reporting dashboards so performance is clear, transparent, and aligned.