Over & Wonder
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Darren Maylam, founder of Over & Wonder, an experiential marketing company based at The Palace in Hastings.
In short, we help organisations show what they do rather than just say it. Instead of relying purely on words, we create memorable experiences that allow customers to genuinely feel and understand a brand’s story.
Experiential marketing sounds intriguing. What does that actually mean?
It is all about creating moments people remember.
We design events, interactions, and creative concepts that connect directly to a company’s messaging, branding, and customer journey. Every project is different because every business has its own story to tell, and we love bringing those stories to life in unexpected ways.
What inspired you to start Over & Wonder?
My background is in marketing, but creativity and experiences have always been a huge part of my life.
I used to build things like escape rooms, treasure hunts, and immersive games for friends and family, purely for fun. At some point, I had the thought, how can I combine marketing with that sense of adventure and wonder?
That question eventually became Over & Wonder.
You work on some unusual projects. Can you share one?
One of my favourite examples involved jugglers, yes, actual circus performers.
We were working on an exhibition stand where the message centred around how modern professionals juggle multiple responsibilities. Instead of simply stating that idea, we brought in performers to visually represent multitasking. It was fun, unexpected, and most importantly, unforgettable.
The client absolutely loved it.
Who do you typically collaborate with?
A wonderfully varied mix of people.
Depending on the brief, I might work with photographers, videographers, designers, actors,
freelancers, and sometimes even performers or specialists. The goal is always to find the most creative way to communicate a client’s story, so the collaborators naturally change with the concept.
No two projects ever look the same.
What drives you and the business?
A very simple idea, injecting more wonder into the world.
Plenty of companies communicate well, but their messaging does not always stick. Others do fascinating things but struggle to express why it matters. We bridge that gap by making marketing more experiential, creative, and memorable.
Why Freedom Works?
Initially, it was about practicality.
The location works brilliantly for me, the team is incredibly friendly, and the flexibility and value for money were important when starting out. Like many young businesses, I did not have endless capital, so finding the right environment mattered.
Has the Freedom Works community influenced your journey?
Definitely, even in subtle ways.
While I have not formally collaborated with other members yet, being surrounded by different businesses and personalities naturally sparks ideas and conversations. As someone working in creativity, that kind of environment is invaluable.
I am always open to future collaborations.
What can people find on the Over & Wonder website?
We currently offer two core packages called WE CREATE and WE CURATE.
WE CREATE focuses on marketing audits and hands on support across the marketing landscape, with experiential marketing playing a central role. WE CURATE is about sharing ideas, inspiration, and creative thinking. We like to think of ourselves as students of wonder, always exploring fresh approaches worth sharing.
What is next for Over & Wonder?
More creativity, more unexpected ideas, and more opportunities to help businesses stand out in ways people genuinely remember.
That is always the mission.
Website: https://www.overandwonder.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/over-wonder/
Instagram: @overandwonder