Ben Cooper
Ben Cooper
Tricky Jigsaw / M&C Saatchi Moderator of panelists
Ben is a creative leader with 25 years of experience. He is the Group Innovation Director for M&C Saatchi Group and the founder and leader of the innovation firm Tricky Jigsaw. He has won various awards for his work, including the NSW Premier's Award, the Good Design Award, and the AFR 'Most Innovative Companies’ award. He is a member of the D&AD Impact Council and was recognized as one of the 'Top 20 Creatives' in Australia by Adnews.
He was a judge of the Channel Ten show Australia by Design: Innovation, and wrote on balancing data and creativity for the book Hacker, Maker, Teacher, Thief: Advertising’s Next Generation.
Notably Ben led the development of M&C's shark detection system, the 'Optus Clever Buoy,' which won the coveted Cannes Titanium Lion and D&AD White Pencil. In his spare time, he co-founded O Six Hundred, a skin-on-frame kit kayak company.
He was a judge of the Channel Ten show Australia by Design: Innovation, and wrote on balancing data and creativity for the book Hacker, Maker, Teacher, Thief: Advertising’s Next Generation.
Notably Ben led the development of M&C's shark detection system, the 'Optus Clever Buoy,' which won the coveted Cannes Titanium Lion and D&AD White Pencil. In his spare time, he co-founded O Six Hundred, a skin-on-frame kit kayak company.
Related Sessions
The Forever Reef Project, a living backup for the biodiversity of coral reefs
MON, OCT 16, 1:00 PM
Conference
Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth, providing habitats for over 25% of all marine species. Supporting fishing and tourism. Defending coastlines from storms. Helping manage ocean acidification. And are culturally significant to many communities, that rely on them for traditional practices, cultural identity, and spiritual beliefs.
But time is running out as mass bleaching events are deleting huge areas of coral reefs and along with it the diverse and significant life they support.
The Forever Reef project is a bold plan to collect and create a living coral biobank that provides a permanent backup for the planet's corals. So far the bank holds 200 of 800 known species. But the clock is ticking to gather and protect the remaining corals.
Esteemed conservationists and marine scientists Dr Dean Miller and Dr John (Charlie) Vernon will unpack their critical work and explain how this living biobank is helping preserve this essential life form. How it supports scientists developing medicines and help reforest reefs with hardier species.
They will be joined by award-winning creative director Sharon Edmondston, M&C Saatchi Group who has been integral to raising awareness of the project and driving donations to fund dives and collections.