The Brand Agency brings science to behaviour change with appointment of Dr Mark Hurlstone

The Brand Agency has welcomed Behavioural Psychologist Dr Mark Hurlstone (far left) to its strategy and behaviour change team. Dr Hurlstone is head of The University of Western Australia’s Behavioural Economics Laboratory in the School of Psychological Science.

The Brand Agency’s Managing Director, Nick Bayes (near left), said Dr Hurlstone’s appointment is in direct response to the lack of true behavioural psychologists in the communications industry. His expertise will create a link between scientifically based psychological insights and effective communications, probably a first for the industry, not just in WA, but nationally.

“For a long time behavioural economics has been used as a buzz word by agencies to sell in work and strategic solutions without any scientific basis, or by people without the academic experience to back it up,” said Bayes.

“If our industry is going to drive significant and permanent changes in behaviour for our clients, we need to dig deeper in uncovering insights about how and why our audiences make their decisions. With Mark working as part of our strategy and behaviour change team, and directly with our clients, we will ultimately deliver more effective and intuitive work for our clients.”

“I look forward to joining The Brand Agency, where I’ll be using my insights and in-depth understanding of psychology and behavioural economics to increase the persuasive impact of the agency’s communications and behaviour change campaigns,” said Hurlstone.