Towards the end of each busy year, Chris & I identify several FARMers who deserve honourable mentions for the contribution they've made in the past 12 months. The outstanding work of one individual FARMer is then recognised as FARMer of the year - Creative Director Wade Kuhn was the proud recipient of the award in 2010.

Before I go into the team members who were highlighted this year, I would like to say that there isn't a single person here at TheFARM I couldn't say great things about, so it's important to acknowledge that the most valuable part of the business is the talent and attitude of the entire team - we've had a great year in 2011 and we're most certainly excited about 2012.

Honourable mentions go to:

Elijah Glover (Senior Developer):

- For the way he was able to quickly able to understand and get on top of three very large technical solutions.

- For stepping up to play a leadership role with the Tech team

- For taking over ownership of TheFARM infrastructure and client hosting attitude.

- For his 'nothing is too hard' brilliant attitude

Amie Weller (Digital Strategist):

- For leading the amazing development on our social media capability, effectiveness of campaigns & expertise across FMCG

- For her great work managing Johnson & Johnson over the past two years.

- For breathing new vigour into the agency's profile through award entries (and wins!), PR & communications.

- I'll also mention that we are very excited about Amie evolving into a strategic role across all clients in 2012.

Carolyn Staples (Designer):

- For her tremendous personal growth in creative this year.

- For stepping up and punching above her weight to play an Art Director role on a number of campaigns.

- For her amazing attitude & work ethic.

Brooke Lucas (Copywriter):

- For really evolving our copy & content capabilities.

- For stepping up into a strategy role across many clients & new business opportunities

- For playing an invaluable role in keeping the office environment positive & culture upbeat.

Drumroll please... the FARMer of the year 2011 award goes to....

Dave Langridge (Developer):

- Firstly for being hugely adaptable. Dave joined us as a Flash developer and over the past year has successfully learned .NET, iOS, Umbraco & Android and completed complicated projects across all of them.

- For going an extra mile on a number of occasions without questions - amazing attitude.

- For doing all of this in an unassuming, quiet manner. He just gets on and pumps the work out.

Well done Dave!

Google unveils brand pages for Google+!

Finally Google+ has opened up pages to allow businesses and brands to join Google’s social network - interesting times ahead.

Google SVP of Social Vic Gundotra said, “So far Google+ has focused on connecting people with other people, but we want to make sure you can build relationships with all the things you care about - from local businesses to global brands - so today we’re rolling out Google+ Pages worldwide.”

Check out TheFARM's new page here!

Read more on Mashable

We’re looking for a new Farmer!

Want to work in Surry Hills in a small development team, alongside some great creative people and a gnome called Randall?
 
TheFARM needs a mid-senior level developer, strong in .NET web development, with experience of things like ASP.NET MVC, Umbraco, HTML, CSS and Javascript. Having the ability to learn and adapt is far more important than knowing all the answers up front.
 
We primarily produce small to medium sized websites, for a variety of clients including many household names. We also do work on Facebook applications, mobile work on iOS and are starting to play with new digital mediums and platforms.
 
You should have a passion for software, a strong desire to learn and improve, and a positive 'can do' attitude.

If it sounds like something you'd be interested in chatting to us about, we'd love to find out more about you, so drop us a note along with your CV to work(at)thefarmdigital.com.au

We’re looking for a new Farmer!

TheFARM is growing out of control!

After a really busy start to 2011, and with lots of great work coming in, we need a new digital producer to join the team.  We’re looking for someone to work on campaigns and social media across our multinational FMCG clients. Insert puns about tending to clients, harvesting good creative and yielding results here.

A little bit about us:

• We are about 25 inventive, creative, enthusiastic & passionate people.
• We do creative, strategy, design & build - all in-house.
• We have some really, really big clients, and some small ones.
• We work with brands in music, film, beauty, food, health, lifestyle, charity, and more.
• We believe strongly in a good work/life balance (6pm home time is a regular thing at TheFARM).
• We are surrounded by the great pubs of Surry Hills.

A little bit about you:

• You’re inventive, passionate, professional.
• You’re interested in what’s possible in the digital industry.
• You can interpret media plans and define creative and production requirements accordingly.
• You have experience with online media campaign management and trafficking.
• You’re articulate and confident, and a good sense of humour wouldn’t go astray.

You’ll find more about us here: Website
and here: Blog

We’d love to find out more about you, so if you think you'll fit in drop us a note along with your CV to work(at)thefarmdigital.com.au

THIS POSITION HAS NOW BEEN FILLED - THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST

We are seeking an accomplished Finance Manager to join our growing team and take a leadership role in managing and evolving the business finance function. TheFARM is a leading Sydney Advertising & Marketing Agency employing 22 people and specialising in digital strategy & production.

Job Description

The key elements of this role are as follows:

• Management of day to day finance activities. This will include weekly and monthly financials, cash flow and management of the transactional components of the business finance requirements.
• Responsibility for ensuring compliance with regulatory and statutory deadlines (I.e. Payroll, ATO, OSR, Suppliers, etc).
• Hands-on responsibility for all bookkeeping functions including payables, receivables and payroll.
• In collaboration with the General Manager, direct and oversee the forecasting, budgeting and reporting process for the business, including all commentary and analysis.
• Reviewing core processes to ensure key controls are in place to allow an effective finance function to operate.
• Supporting the Senior Management team with financial and commercial input and initiatives to help to support the overall business plans, with a particular emphasis on Operating Profits, ROI and cash flows.
• Actively participate and drive the implementation of business efficiency projects.
• In consultation with Senior Management devise and implement metrics and KPIs to assist in tracking performance and overall progress of the business.

The Successful Applicant

The successful applicant will possess the following:

• CA/CPA qualified (+5 years) with a broad, hands on approach to transactional finance and high levels of professionalism and communication at all levels of the business.
• Extensive exposure to installing financial disciplines in established business processes.
• Strong analytical and modelling skills, while also being results driven and possessing strong levels of initiative in dealing with any issues.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to influence to improve commercial conditions for the business.
• A desire to work five days per week semi part-time (about 30hrs), with a flexible working arrangement negotiable.
• Advertising/Marketing industry experience a benefit, but not essential.
• Experience with Xero and/or ePayroll a benefit, but not essential.

What's on Offer

In return, this role offers a flexible working arrangement and an opportunity to put your stamp of experience and expertise on an exciting and rapidly growing business, with further opportunity for you to personally grow with the organisation as well.

Salary is negotiable based on experience and the final working arrangements agreed to.

So, if this sounds good, drop a note to "work(at)thefarmdigital.com.au" and come and be part of our friendly and fun culture!