Working Harder, Not Smarter. Are We Burning Out the Industry?

The next 2026 IN:WA Panelist event lands on Thursday 15th October at Lawson Flats. A space for independent agency leaders and industry voices to have honest conversations about what's shaping our sector. Each IN:WA Panel session brings together experienced operators and external perspectives to challenge thinking and spark real discussion. Open to both IN:WA Members and Non-Members alike! Come to connect, contribute, and experience the IN:WA community firsthand. IN:WA is bringing together industry experts to discuss the topic: Working Harder, Not Smarter. Are We Burning Out the Industry? Ask anyone in agency life how they're going and you'll hear some version of "busy." More channels, faster turnarounds, thinner margins, always-on communication. But is the industry genuinely harder than it used to be, or are we just running it the same way we always have while the world around it has changed? This panel brings together three perspectives you don't usually get in the same room: someone who's lived through decades of industry culture, someone who's just entered it, and someone who sees the clinical patterns across workplaces like these. Facilitator Hannah Muirhead / Chapter Recognised as a sharp strategic thinker with exceptional drive and genuine passion, Hannah excels at uncovering core brand drivers and delivering sustainable commercial effectiveness. Backed by proven award-winning success across diverse sectors - including education, finance, government, tourism, and non-profit, she brings broad, cross-category strategic expertise to every challenge. Panellists Tony Scampoli / Co-Founder & Creative Partner, Gatecrasher Advertising Tony Scampoli has more than 30 years’ experience in the WA communications industry and co-founded Gatecrasher Advertising in 2001. Over two decades, he has helped build the agency into one of Perth’s leading multidisciplinary creative businesses. With decades of experience navigating client demands, deadlines, creativity and team dynamics, Tony brings a valuable perspective on the changing pressures of agency life - and the challenge of building successful businesses without burning out the people behind the work. For Tony, the question is not simply how we can work less, but how we can work smarter, lead better and keep talented people engaged for the long haul. Dr Joyce Chong / The Skill Collective Joyce is a pragmatic, approachable Clinical Psychologist who empowers individuals to optimise their everyday personal and professional potential. She understands that achieving sustainable performance relies on nurturing psychological health, elevating general well-being, and cultivating practical capability to enrich daily life. Corey Battersby / The Design Kids / PADC Emerging Talent of the Year 2025 Corey is an emerging designer and creative passionate about big ideas, visual storytelling and design craft. In just over two years, Corey has contributed to large-scale work for leading Western Australian brands, while connecting emerging designers with industry through The Design Kids Perth and the Australian Graphic Design Association. In 2025, Corey was recognised as PADC's Emerging Talent of the Year for his design work. Light nibbles and a drink token on arrival.