Our Industry Profile takes a look at some of the professionals working across the advertising, adtech, marketing and media sector in Australia. It aims to shed light on the varying roles and companies across the buzzing industry.
Rebecca Robertson: Managing partner at Howatson + Company
Time at the company:
10 months
How would you describe what the company does?
Howatson+Company seeks to make a positive impact on people and culture the world over.
What do you do day-to-day?
Collaborate with our people and partners to create the most commercially effective work while ensuring everyone enjoys the journey.
Define your job in one word:
Orchestra Conductor
I got into advertising because:
I love creativity and can see it in almost everything. I wanted to find a way to apply some left and right brain thinking. I learnt about advertising itself from John Zeigler when I was at uni & nannying his children.
What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role?
Balancing the pre- & post-covid work world that allows us to retain the best of the past and the opportunities of the future.
What’s the biggest industry-wide challenge you’d like to see tackled?
Sustainable practises and thoughtful consideration of the work we are making and how we are making it. It’s not only a challenge related to our industry, but something that as industry leaders we need to be constantly educating ourselves on and looking for ways to change our impact on both the industry itself and the work of our clients.
Previous industry-related companies worked at:
- DDB Melbourne
- Isobar London
- O2 – client side, London
- Saatchi & Saatchi New York
- Saatchi & Saatchi Melbourne
Notable ads/campaigns you have worked on:
My two favourites have been:
- Donation Dollar at Saatchi Melbourne
- Apple Pay/Chase launch at Saatchi NY
Who is/has been a great mentor to you and why?
I have met many people throughout my career that have stuck with me but the two that have endured and introduced me to the other, are Brent Smart and Mike Rebelo. Whilst different leaders, they both believe that Culture is King. They understand that with their people by their side, the possibilities are limitless.
Words of advice for someone wanting a job like yours:
Don’t wait around to solve problems. Focus on moving things forward, working through the solution in parallel. Things are constantly changing in our job, so being prepared to roll your sleeves up and solve problems on the fly, is what brings everyone along with you.
If I wasn't doing this for a living, I'd be:
A fashion stylist.
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