Central Coast-based digital marketing agency LEP Digital has marked its 10th year in business with a milestone celebration at Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific, bringing together clients, community leaders and partners to celebrate a decade of growth, digital innovation and connection.
Founded by Laura Prael in 2015, LEP Digital began as a one-person operation from a home office, with a mission to deliver agency-quality digital marketing services, traditionally only found in capital cities, to the Central Coast.
Ten years on, the agency has grown into a respected industry leader with a team of eight, a prime office location on Terrigal Esplanade, and an impressive portfolio of local and national clients.
The anniversary was marked with an intimate cocktail event at Meribella Bar, where guests arrived with ‘a wink of pink’ in homage to the agency’s signature brand colour.
The event was attended by a host of special guests, including Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch, Executive Director, Regional NSW & Visitor Economy at Business NSW, Paula Martin, and Central Coast Mariners CEO Greg Brownlow.
During the event, Prael reflected on LEP Digital’s journey, sharing the lessons, challenges and milestones that shaped her vision for building a values-led business on the Coast.
“Hiring people is easy; hiring the right people is hard,” she said.
“But I can confidently say the team I have today is the strongest I’ve worked with in 20 years.
“They’ve taken something good and made it extraordinary.”
She acknowledged her team—Melinda McCrone, Jess Hickey, Erica Peach, Pete Gilmour, Cameron Iveson, Tam Murphy, and Ciaran Simmons—as well as their families, clients and the wider business community which has supported LEP Digital’s evolution.
The evening included live music by local performer Mitch Bayliss and was capped off with a DJ set and dancing.
In a week of celebrations, Prael was also recognised by the Rotary Club of Gosford City at its annual Bob Hope Vocational Service Awards.
These awards honour individuals who have made significant contributions in their professional fields and demonstrated leadership in the community.
“I was touched to stand alongside the remarkable people recognised on the day,” she said.
“It served as a reminder of the power of connection and the value of caring for one another, our communities and the environment.
“Humanity and humility in business matter, and that spirit was certainly shared by everyone in the room.”
LEP Digital’s journey has included key milestones including moving from a home office to Gosford’s historic Star House in 2018, expanding into a custom-designed suite in Erina’s Element Building, and finally settling into its current beachside headquarters at Terrigal.
In 2024, the agency was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Business NSW Central Coast Awards for two prestigious categories: Excellence in Small Business and Outstanding Employee – the latter awarded to senior team member Melinda McCrone.
The recognition affirmed the agency’s sustained excellence and commitment to its people.
Now 10 years strong, LEP Digital remains dedicated to delivering outstanding, high-quality work that rivals the standards of Sydney agencies, while continuing to lead with purpose, build local talent, and invest in the Central Coast business community.
