Now Head of Account Management at The Brand Agency Perth, Brendon Lewis started in advertising as part of the inaugural WA Youngbloods committee in the early noughties. We caught up with him as part of our new Youngbloods Stories series to see how life had changed since then.

Brendon Lewis
Perth, Western Australia
Head of Account Service

Q: What was your first Youngbloods event?

A: I can't remember if it was my very first, but one of the first was a debate event at the Aberdeen Hotel in Perth called "Are Suits Just Bag Carriers?"


Q: How did you get involved with creative industries and how did you find this experience?

A: I did it the old fashioned way. Grabbed the first opportunity in an agency that I could get and worked my way up. I did some work experience at Marketforce in my final year of university and begged them for a job when I left. The job they had for me was an in-house courier driver and general gopher. I worked within the production department so I also did a bit of production assistant work. It was a great grounding to learn how an agency produced stuff and I got exposed to all parts of the business. I learned pretty early that Account Management is where I wanted to be, the sense of control and influence appealed to me.


Q: What does a day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?

A: It’s one of the key things that I love about my work, and that is that every day is different. There is no ‘typical’ day. Each day, more than half of it will be unplanned, unexpected and you just have to deal with it as you go. That’s the job. You can do your best to plan to the finest detail, but just be aware that it’s all going to change. But that’s a good thing.

But to answer the question, let’s take yesterday. It was an office day. I had meetings with four of our largest clients; between them I presented new creative, negotiated client/agency engagement principals, presented a suite of TVC offlines, bought a senior client up to speed with strategy and creative developments in their absence and discussed a client brief for the next phase of their brand campaign activity. As Head of Account Management, I also have the management responsibility of 22 Account Management professionals, which certainly does more than just fill the gaps between client work.


Q: What do you think are some of the best habits or routines that you’ve developed over the years to help you achieve success in your life?

A: It’s less about habits and routines for me, and more about principles. Always do the right thing is something I live by. And that’s not just by other people, but how you approach everything you do. If you choose to do anything, then do it the right way, and do it to the best of your ability. This approach seems to have worked pretty well for me. Do the right thing and when you do, do it right.


Q: Are there any books that have helped you improve over the years?

A: I’m not really one for self-help books, but I am a firm believer in that we never stop learning. No matter how experienced we think we are, you can always learn more, experience more, feel more. I will take any opportunity I can get to learn from someone else. I consume a lot of blogs, podcasts, web content, online tutorials and lectures. Most of them relate to what I do for a living, but some do not. I find it good to discover new things that are totally random.


Q: What is the number one thing you do to make sure you get the most out of your day?

A: A good night's sleep and a current to-do list. (I know that’s two)


Q: What inspired you to do what you are doing now?

A: I love creating something out of nothing and solving problems with creative thinking. I am also fascinated with how people think and why they behave the way they do.


Q: Who is your biggest inspiration and why?

A: I am not sure I have a single source of inspiration. I take inspiration from lots of things. My family, my kids, my health, my staff, my clients, my work, my friends, oh, and my wines!


Q: You have the attention of over 1000 millennials. What is the one advice you would give them when you reflect on your own journey?

A: When you make a decision, commit to it and go as hard as possible until you are happy.

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