Chello
Redfern brand growth agency for scale-ups, from rebrand to TVC
- Founded
- 2014
- Team size
- 11-50
- Headquarters
- Sydney, Australia
- Hourly rate
- $150–$199/hr
Overview
About Chello
Chello is an independent brand agency in Redfern, founded in 2014, that takes clients from research and brand strategy through identity, websites, campaigns and in-house video and animation. It is best known for rebrands of tech and fintech scale-ups and for helping global brands land in the APAC market.
Chello was started in 2014 by Lindsay Rogers, who came from video production, and Tristan Velasco. The agency’s own telling is that it began over drinks at a Sydney basement bar. More than a decade on, it is an independent team of between 10 and 49 people working out of Redfern, with smaller bases on the Gold Coast and in London. It calls itself a brand growth agency, and its stated focus is two groups: ambitious scale-ups and global brands trying to become relevant in APAC.
Work usually starts with research, both qualitative and quantitative, and moves through brand and communications strategy into visual and verbal identity, websites and campaigns. Because Rogers came from film, production sits in-house: TVC and video, 2D and 3D animation and photography. Clutch lists the split as roughly half branding, 30% advertising and 20% video. The studio also publishes a podcast and a 2026 brand leadership report based on interviews with 25 marketing leaders.
Case studies include rebrands for Sapia.ai, crypto broker Caleb & Brown and meal company My Muscle Chef, a launch campaign for the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro and Shopify’s Reimagine Retail campaign. Caleb & Brown and Sapia won C2 Awards for brand identity in 2022, and the agency was an AGDA finalist in 2024 and 2025. Clutch shows a 4.9 rating from 19 reviews, with clients mostly praising communication, deadlines and finish quality.
The main caution is cost. Clutch lists a $25,000 minimum and $150 to $199 per hour, and a couple of reviewers flag heavy billing for extras or occasional budget overruns, though one noted Chello warned them in advance. Buyers wanting a Sydney branding agency with its own video crew will find a good match here. Those needing SEO or always-on digital marketing will not.
What they do
Services
- Brand research (qualitative and quantitative)
- Brand and communications strategy
- Visual and verbal identity
- Website design
- Campaigns and art direction
- TVC and video production
- 2D and 3D animation
- Photography
Specializations
Industries served
Ideal client
Who they help
Funded scale-ups preparing for a rebrand or category push, and international brands entering Australia that want strategy, identity and video produced under one roof rather than across several suppliers.
Pros & cons
Pros
- 4.9 average across 19 Clutch reviews, with clients praising timeliness and project management
- In-house production for TVC, animation and photography alongside brand strategy
- Award record including C2 Awards brand identity wins (2022) and AGDA finalist places in 2024 and 2025
- Track record with scale-ups such as Sapia.ai, Caleb & Brown and My Muscle Chef plus Shopify and Chery Australia
- Offices on the Gold Coast and in London
Cons
- $25,000 minimum project size on Clutch rules out small budgets
- Some Clutch reviewers say out-of-scope requests are billed heavily and cost scores trail other categories
- No SEO or ongoing performance marketing services
Pricing
Notable clients
Awards & recognition
- C2 Awards, Brand Identity winner for Caleb & Brown and Sapia (2022)
- Indigo Design Award Gold, Magnolia Lounge (2022)
- AGDA Awards finalist, Design for Good (2025)
- Mumbrella Awards shortlist, Account Management Team of the Year (2025)
Common questions
FAQ
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What services does Chello offer?
Chello offers Brand research (qualitative and quantitative), Brand and communications strategy, Visual and verbal identity, Website design, Campaigns and art direction, TVC and video production, and more.
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Where is Chello based?
Chello is headquartered in Sydney, Australia and works with clients remotely worldwide, with additional offices in Burleigh Heads (Gold Coast), Australia, London, United Kingdom.
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How much does Chello cost?
Chello operates on a project-based model, with an hourly rate of $150–$199/hr, a minimum engagement of $25,000.
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Who is Chello best for?
Funded scale-ups preparing for a rebrand or category push, and international brands entering Australia that want strategy, identity and video produced under one roof rather than across several suppliers.
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What industries does Chello serve?
Chello serves clients in Technology and SaaS, Financial services and fintech, Cryptocurrency, Food and consumer goods, Automotive, Health and not-for-profit, among others.
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How big is Chello and when was it founded?
Chello was founded in 2014 and has a team of 11-50 people.
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How do I contact Chello?
You can visit chello.com.au, or email hello@chello.com.au, or call +61 2 9953 7870.
Editor’s take
Chello fits scale-ups and brands entering APAC that want one team for strategy, identity and video content. Small businesses with tight budgets, or anyone after SEO and paid media, will be better served elsewhere.
