About
We partner with brands in search of the elusive edge that sets them apart. With over 50 years of collective experience in branding and marketing, coupled with our talent for delivering insightful and strategically crafted storytelling, we know how to captivate hearts, shift perspectives, and drive impactful results. Since 2018, we’ve been trusted to create exceptional value by creatively solving the ‘unsolvable’ business challenges for our clients.
Our Mission
Work tirelessly with people we love and brands we genuinely care about, to achieve the results they need.
Why does this matter? Because for us, business is deeply personal. We pour our heart and soul into every project, and when it feels like a true partnership, the work becomes a shared passion rather than just a task
DIRECTORS
Emerger is owned and operated by two adventurers who love the outdoors and a really good story. They use their creative powers and incredible network to deliver commercially minded projects that truly make a difference.
Franko Callanan
Co-Founder & Brand Director
Franko’s career kicked off by managing one of Australia’s fastest-paced sales agencies, overseeing a team of over 300 direct sales staff. He then took the reins as Group Account Director at a print advertising agency, serving major players in insurance, agriculture and banking. Though a creative at heart, Franko never understood how designers or account managers with no sales or customer experience could advise businesses on strategy. So, after university, he dove deep into sales, marketing, consumer research, and economic trends, building on his design background to truly understand how to transform businesses into powerful brands.
At just 26, Franko co-founded his own creative agency, Channelzero, with two of his best mates. As Executive Creative Director, he helped shape iconic campaigns like "Aussie kids are Weet-Bix kids," before selling the agency to a London media company in 2016.
With over 30 years in the industry, Franko has developed brand methodologies that have driven success for thousands of businesses. His expertise spans naming, creating, building, and growing brands.
When he’s not at work, you’ll find Franko climbing hills to fill his freezer with fresh game, fishing for dinner, riding his motorbike, teaching his three kids how to build forts, or passionately cheering on his favourite sports teams.
Leticia callanan
Co-Founder & Strategy Director
Leticia’s career began in journalism, driven by her love for adventure, connecting with people, and crafting compelling stories. With mentors like the late Peter Harvey at the Nine Network and Scott Simon at NPR, she quickly learned how to craft stories that captivate an audience. After making an impact at news.com.au and The Australian, she turned her talents to sport. At Fox Sports, Leticia’s knack for bridging editorial, advertising, marketing, and subscriptions led to the creation of a new role just for her. She hasn’t looked back since.
With over 25 years of experience - 20 in digital and 15 in senior brand and marketing roles across sports, finance, education, FMCG, and hospitality - Leticia is a powerhouse in multi-channel strategies and managing multi-million dollar budgets that deliver results.
Leticia is also a master of business structures and management, effortlessly making sense of complex information and delivering strategic, step-by-step guidance to achieve desired change management or growth outcomes. With a keen commercial mindset, she has successfully led Emerger since its inception in 2018.
Beyond her professional achievements, Leticia is a proud mum of three, a published author (The Business School of Motherhood), a retired athlete who stays fit with regular runs, and someone who enjoys fishing, camping, and winding down with a spicy margarita.
SCOUT
Director of Happiness
A four-legged, puppy bundle of joy who takes his job very seriously (unless there's a stick involved). His responsibilities include greeting the team with an incessantly wagging tail and cute little excitable shrill, enforcing mandatory belly rub breaks and providing emotional support during high-stress meetings. He may not know much about spreadsheets, but he’s an expert in boosting morale and reminding us all to take life a little less seriously.
OUR NETWORK
They say it’s not just what you know, but who you know: we believe both are equally important. We've worked hard to stay connected with the people we value most, whose skills complement our own. Our 'permalancer' approach allows us to assemble the perfect team of skilled professionals for each project, giving us the flexibility to scale and deliver the most commercially viable solutions for our clients— without the burden of office and staffing overheads. You're welcome.
OUR BELIEFS
ENJOY THE RIDE
No dickheads, egos, no nonsense. In a fast-paced world, we don’t have time for unnecessary formalities. While we value politeness and lead with kindness, we prioritise direct communication and strong commercial insight. Our focus is on achieving results and fostering good vibes, not letting egos, jargon, or distractions interfere with delivering exceptional results.
simple is smart
At the heart of what we do is stripping away the noise and distractions to uncover the true DNA of a brand and connect it with the right people, at the right time, for the right outcome. We believe in the powerful magic of simplicity, but we know it takes real expertise to keep things simple.
SWEEP THE SHEDS
Alright, we borrowed this from the All Blacks, but it resonates deeply with us too. We believe no one is ever too senior for the small tasks or too exhausted for the tough ones. With over 40 years of combined experience in sales, marketing, and creative industries, we’re all hands-on deck. You’ll never hear us say, 'that’s not my job.'
nature ALWAYS wins
Everything is better outdoors. We breathe more deeply. We love catching our own dinner, sleeping under the stars, exploring nature, and truly being present. Whether it’s hiking, camping, riding motorbikes, walking our dog, lighting (contained) fires, or watching sunsets like it’s our job, staying wild is always worth it.