Russel Howcroft

Indeed, Harold Mitchell awarded Russel a much-coveted Charlie Award on the basis of personal brand creation. And while Russel was pleased to be recognized in such a fashion, his mum was particularly pleased, as she is a Huge Harold fan!

Current Work:

Russel currently is the co-presenter of Melbourne’s top breakfast radio program ‘3AW Breakfast with Ross and Russel.

Previous Experience:

Immediately prior to commencing his role as a full-time radio broadcaster Russel was Chief Creative Officer and a Partner at PwC Australia. Before taking on that role he was Executive General Manager of the TEN Network, one of its most senior executives, and before that Russel was Chief Executive Officer Australia/ New Zealand at Young & Rubicam Brands.

Russel fell in love with the advertising industry after doing a week’s work experience at advertising agency McCann Erickson while partway through a marketing degree at Chisholm Institute (now part of Monash University). His father had started working in advertising at the ripe old age of 45, after a career as a cartoonist and businessman, and he suggested that his son give it a go. Russel, who hated university, managed to extend his work experience into an 18-month job.
In his early 20s, Russel headed to London and spent five years working at Lowe, Howard-Spink, one of Britain’s top creative agencies. His major account was Heineken beer, and his work on that account was considered one of Britain’s best ad campaigns of its time.

Russel returned to Melbourne in 1995 and co-founded Leonardi Brandhouse. He spent the next 11 years running his own agencies with various partners, before joining George Patterson Y&R, Australia’s oldest agency brand, in 2006. The group includes The Campaign Palace, VML, ideaworks and Brand Asset consulting.