Dynamic Duos: The farsiight brothers
In Dynamic Duos this week, digital marketing agency farsiight's co-founders, and brothers, Ben and Josh Somerville, share how their unique strengths and complementary working styles led to a shared vision and successful journey of entrepreneurialism.
In Dynamic Duos, Mumbrella each week asks two colleagues with a professional and personal affiliation to share with readers the importance of workplace relationships in an increasingly hybridised world of work.
Ben Somerville
Josh and I obviously grew up together, so we know each other’s strengths and blindspots like no one else. While my background in business and sales has brought the commercial nous required to help grow the agency, Josh knows the performance marketing craft and industry inside out. Taking his experience from working in various agencies across Australia and North America, he’s always had a very clear idea of the type of agency he’d like to build and the practices he’d like to leave in the rearview mirror…
When he asked me to join farsiight, it was a no-brainer. It felt like the opportunity we had been waiting for to work together again.
For the first four years, Josh worked hands-on with our team and was the driving force behind our best-in-class marketing campaigns for our clients. We were recently awarded a finalist spot in the Global Social Media Awards for our creative strategy and client work, and I have huge respect for Josh’s influence in setting our team up for success in this space. Josh doesn’t waiver from our ambition to partner with people and brands on our mission to achieve Growth for Good, and it’s seen us recognised as a Smart50 Best Workplace; a place where our people are passionate, motivated and at the top of their game. Josh and I now work together closely on the sales and marketing for the business to fuel the next stage of growth for the agency.
Josh Somerville
Our relationship with entrepreneurship stems back to our parents. They were restaurant owners who worked crazy hard; long hours, weekends, public holidays and more Christmases than we can count. For Ben and I, it was never a question of whether we’d run a business together or not; the question was just what we would do. It took many terrible ideas and failed attempts to start up to get to farsiight.
Since the early days, having distinct skill sets has proven incredibly beneficial for us. Ben is the finance, sales and HR brain all rolled into one. He’s armed with an MBA and aided the growth of a local tech company in the lead up to their ASX listing before I asked him to join farsiight.
He has an infectious energy and drive that kicks in at 5am each morning with a jolt of motivation straight to your inbox.
Teaming up in business with your brother often raises eyebrows, but we view it as a major strength. Our shared values, vision for the company, work ethic and alignment on finances means we move fast and rarely have to question each other’s judgement. Plus, any minor issues we’ve had are tackled head-on and resolved very quickly without worrying about our feelings – classic brotherly love is telling it exactly how it is.
Ben on Josh:
Most memorable moment with Josh: One of the most memorable work moments still to this day was sitting down at the local Irish pub here in Manly, and Josh pulled out the paperwork to cut me in as an equal partner into farsiight. The rest, they say, is history.
Best word to describe him: Prepare for the cheese on this one, but it’s got to be brother. Beyond business, Josh will always be my brother first.
Most annoying habit or endearing behaviour: Josh is a vego, which I completely respect. However, it makes for a tough conversation when all I want to do is hit a steakhouse to celebrate big milestones together!
Josh on Ben:
Most memorable moment with Ben: It has to be backcountry snowboarding in Whistler on a big powder day last year – it was an absolutely unforgettable and incredible experience that we shared together.
Best word to describe him: Intense, but in a good way.
Most annoying habit or endearing behaviour he has: Ben’s ‘bedtime milky’ habit would be up there. I discovered on a holiday last year that he smashes a 600ml glass of milk right before bed!
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Lauren McNamara is a journalist at Mumbrella, covering the creative and PR beat. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS.
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