Our Young Gun profile takes a look at some of the young talent across the advertising, adtech, marketing and media sector in Australia. It aims to shed light on the varying roles, people and companies across the buzzing industry.
Rachel Taylor: Account director at Houston Group.
Time at the company:
I’ve recently become an Account Director at Houston Group, a branding agency in Surry Hills, but I’ve been working here for over 3 years.
How long have you been in the industry?
I started my career through the Ogilvy Goliath Grad program back in 2017. After a few years at Ogilvy, I made the switch from advertising to branding with Houston Group.
How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
Studying communication & marketing at Charles Sturt in Bathurst gave me a great platform into the industry. However, majority of my peers went straight into media agencies. I was lucky enough to be guided into creative agencies – firstly through an internship at Clemenger and then through the Ogilvy grad program.
Who is your right-hand person/who guides you day to day?
My daily inspiration is Stacey Saunders she’s the epitome of the culture here at Houston – whether it’s her amazing outfits, outrageous singing or consistently being an amazing leader and role model.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
Working in branding we get to be a part of cultural change— working across so many sectors and industries, getting insight, being deep in businesses and at the forefront of change for organisations and their people.
Our agency is also going to Dark Mofo in Tassie this year, so no complaints there either!
And the biggest challenge?
Lack of diversity across the industry. Whilst there are a lot of people doing great things to shift the dial, there is still such a long way to go until we have accurate representation.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
We do quite a bit of work in the non-for-profit space, and down the track, I would be chasing a client-side role that has a direct, positive impact to the community. We recently rebranded the not-for-profit organisation, FRRR, which does incredible work in regional and rural communities and is something I’m passionate about, so maybe working in that space.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
I grew up in rural NSW and if I’m ever feeling burnt out or in need of a boost of inspiration, I find a weekend back home is the best place for that. I’m able to step away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the ‘worries’ of agency life and reset. There is nothing better than being out in nature, getting fresh air and some country hospitality.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
Houston is an open book so unfortunately, I don’t think there is anything they don’t know!
In five years' time I'll be…
Hopefully still at Houston, and probably still living in the Eastern Suburbs! But with a lot more travel under my belt, and maybe have a dachshund.
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.