The Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum

Production + Pints: Hear from international guest speaker Dave Gougé about lessons from the growth and exit of Wētā FX! 

The regular Gold Coast Innovation Hub Pitch & Pints event is having a shake-up! Hosted in partnership with the Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum, Australia (DELFOz) we’re retaining the welcoming, energetic tone that you love, as well as the rapid-fire pitch component. But in place of our featured pitch partners, this month we’ll have the chance to hear from an international guest speaker who has led marketing and publicity teams at the highest level of the entertainment industry.

Welcome to Production + Pints, featuring an exclusive fireside chat exploring lessons from the growth and exit of Wētā FX with Dave Gougé. Grab a drink, meet members from the local startup and arts communities, share your elevator pitch, and hear from an inspirational entertainment industry professional at the ultimate casual networking event for entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators. Whether you want to showcase your big idea or build connections with other innovators and creatives, this is the place to connect, share, and grow.

Event Agenda & Details

Run of Show:

  • 6:00 PM – Doors open. Grab a drink, enjoy some snacks, and mingle with local founders and creatives.
  • 6:30 PM – Pitch Fire: Open mic for rapid-fire 45-second pitches from the floor.
  • 7:00 PM – Fireside chat with international guest speaker Dave Gougé, unpacking key lessons from the growth and exit of Wētā FX, followed by an interactive audience Q&A session.
  • 7:45 PM – Networking, discussions, and refreshments.

Whether you’re pitching, listening, or just here for the beer, this special edition of Pitch & Pints is your opportunity to build strategic connections, gain world-class inspiration, and have fun.

About Dave Gougé

Dave Gougé seated on stage during an informal fireside chat, positioned directly in front of a prominent Gold Coast Innovation Hub brand banner.
Transitioning into the fireside discussion, Dave Gougé sits down at the Gold Coast Hub to share executive operational insights regarding scale, international market expansion, and creative venture capital.

Dave Gougé is a skilled business and marketing strategist working at the intersection of emerging technology, entertainment, and global growth. He leads a global consulting practice advising companies looking to pivot, scale, or innovate, and works closely with organisations in visual effects, AI, and digital storytelling. Dave serves on the Board of the Visual Effects Society and is a Beachhead Advisor for the New Zealand government’s Trade & Enterprise agency, helping tech-forward businesses expand globally.

As former Head of Marketing & Publicity at Wētā FX for thirteen years, he shaped the global reputation of one of the most awarded VFX studios, helping to drive over 60 artistic and technical wins including Oscars, BAFTAs, Emmys, and 12 Academy SciTech Awards. He also led brand and positioning strategies that contributed to Wētā’s $1.6B USD acquisition by Unity Technologies, capturing invaluable lessons from the growth and exit of Wētā FX for scaling tech and creative ventures.

Dave is a trusted speaker and moderator known for navigating complex industry conversations—from AI’s role in creativity to leadership in tech culture.

LEARN MORE

Close-up profile of Dave Gougé behind his laptop speaking under direct stage lighting at the Gold Coast Hub Production and Pints media event.
Speaking directly from operational data, Dave Gougé addresses Gold Coast tech founders and media innovators on high-resolution strategies for navigating structural industry transitions.