About K.I.S.S
Small agency. Senior thinking. Serious about results.
K.I.S.S Marketing Agency is an independent digital agency based in Cronulla, Sydney.
We’re deliberately boutique. It means our clients know the people working on their business, senior thinking stays close to the work and we’re able to move without the layers that often come with larger agencies.
Independent · Digital Marketing · Cronulla, Sydney · Since 2013
Since 2013
Keeping marketing simple for businesses and brands wanting achieve their goals.
Who we are
We're curious by nature.
Led by Director and Strategic Lead Darnelle O’Brien, our team brings together strategy, paid media, account management, email marketing and campaign execution.
We test. We question. We learn. And we’re comfortable saying when we think there is a better way to do something.
Because our job isn’t to tell clients what they want to hear. It’s to help them make better marketing decisions.
Where it started
Go the extra mile. It's never crowded.
After attaining a Business (Marketing) (BBus) and Arts (Economics) (BA), I spent more than 10 years working on both the client and agency sides of marketing. I saw how easily business owners and marketing managers could become overwhelmed by the options, often without a clear sense of where to focus or what would make a difference.
I started K.I.S.S to make marketing simpler. The aim was to give SME’s and brands clear direction, practical advice and effective marketing that helped them grow.
As K.I.S.S grew, we brought that same approach to larger businesses. Today, our talented team continues to work by the principle that started it all: keep it simple, focus on what matters and go the extra mile.
Keep It Simple. Seriously.
It's more than our name. It's how we approach marketing.
Simple doesn’t mean basic. It means removing everything that doesn’t need to be there so we can focus on what does.
01
Keep it focused.
You don’t need to be everywhere. You need to be where it matters.
02
Keep it accountable.
Marketing should have a job to do and a way of measuring whether it’s doing it.
03
Keep learning.
Digital marketing changes constantly. Testing and learning isn’t an occasional exercise. It’s part of the job.
04
Keep moving.
When the data gives us an answer, we act on it.
Our philosophy
Simple is beautiful.
We still believe that.
Not because marketing itself is simple. It isn’t.
But because the best strategy creates clarity around what matters, what doesn’t and what we’re doing next.
Our journey
How we got here.
Virtual office established above Sea Level Restaurant, Cronulla.
June
Sammy joins (Marketing Assistant)
Erin joins (Designer)
Aengus joins (Designer)
September
First K.I.S.S website and blog launches. Designed by Aengus
K.I.S.S social media launches
November
Kat joins (Account Manager)
November
First K.I.S.S-MAS is held at K.I.S.S HQ
Level 1, Suite 4,
4-6 Kingsway, Cronulla NSW
Darnelle launches public short courses in social media marketing, email marketing and Google to service SMBs that want to DIY
July
New lease is signed for 9/17 Gerrale Street, Cronulla NSW
August
Office fit-out complete
September
Brit joins (Account Manager)
November
Kayla joins (Intern)
April
Darnelle attends Social Media Marketing World in San Diego, California, USA
May
Second K.I.S.S website and blog launches. Designed by Erin
September
Luke joins (Art Director)
November
Grace joins (Account Co-ordinator)
K.I.S.S-MAS is held at 1908 Cronulla,
1/15 Surf Rd, Cronulla NSW
March
Darnelle attends Social Media Marketing World in San Diego, California, USA
May
Sarah joins (Designer)
July
K.I.S.S HQ expands. New lease is signed for 10/17 Gerrale Street, Cronulla, NSW
September
Jamie joins (Design)
October
Office fit out for 10/17 Gerrale Street, Cronulla, NSW is complete
November
K.I.S.S-MAS is held at 1908 Cronulla, 1/15 Surf Rd, Cronulla NSW
March
Lorna joins (Client Relationship Manager)
Ash joins (Design)
February
Brooke joins (Intern)
May
Third K.I.S.S blog launches. Designed by Jamie
Jess joins (Account Manager)
Tara joins (Account Coordinator)
Des joins (Key Account Coordinator)
July
Jen joins (Key Account Coordinator)
Caitlyn joins (Key Account Coordinator)
November
K.I.S.S-MAS is held at Sealevel, 2 Kingsway, Cronulla NSW
February
Maz joins (Intern)
September
Darnelle lobbies (and meets with) Prime Minister Scott Morrison for Plastic Free Cronulla
March
K.I.S.S HQ closes and team works from home due to COVID-19
June
Team return from WFH
Marc joins (Paid Ads Specialist)
Hayley joins (Account Manager)
September
Brit returns from leave (Senior Account Manager)
January
New meeting space opens (8/17 Gerrale Street, Cronulla)
February
Kelsey joins (Social Media Manager)
May
K.I.S.S website is refreshed (version 4.0)
June
Sydney goes back into lockdown and WFH is enforced
October
Team returns to office.
Facebook’s parent brand “Facebook” re-brands and the Metaverse is born.
January
Team and clients begin Covid recovery.
February
Service focus shifts in-house design and Paid Ads offering is expanded.
August
BeReal launches.
November
K.I.S.S expands client base including a stable of global beverage brands.
January
Myk joins (Paid Ads Specialist)
February
Brooke joins (Marketing Assistant)
May
K.I.S.S turns 10.
August
Team celebrates decade of K.I.S.S in Bali.
December
Gabbie joins (Marketing Assistant)
A renewed focus on Paid Ads launches with the cessation of in-house design services.
April
Luke B joins (Paid Ads Specialist)
May
Jini joins (Casual Marketing Assistant)
Logan joins (Graduate Marketing Assistant)
We refined our offering, embraced AI tools and became even more data-led, insight-driven and results-focused.
February
Rolled out refined core services with updated onboarding and
reporting systems.
May
Welcomed new automotive and beverage (alcohol) clients, expanding
our presence nationally.
July
Introduced AI-assisted reporting and copy workflows across email and
paid media.
Trusted by brands including
And, obviously
Harley, Director of Happiness.
Every good team needs one. Harley keeps the office happy, the meetings friendly and the tennis balls moving.
Are we the right fit?
Let's find out if we're a good fit.
Tell us a little about your business and you’ll go straight to our calendar to book a 30-minute growth call with Darnelle. No hard sell.
- A look at what's working, and what isn't
- Where the biggest growth opportunity is
- A straight answer on whether we can help
Not sure yet? Take the 2-minute quiz →
Prefer to pick a time now? Book directly in our calendar or call 02 9527 6516.