About Russel
Russel Howcroft is the Executive General Manager of Channel Ten and a nationally recognised face for brand marketing and advertising through his appearances on ABC1’s hugely successful show ‘The Gruen Transfer’.
Prior to this role, Russel was Chief Executive Officer Australia/ New Zealand at Young & Rubicam Brands. He fell in love with the advertising industry after doing a week’s work experience at advertising agency McCann Erickson while part way 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.
Russel is also the former Chairman of the Advertising Federation of Australia. He has been a regular commentator on radio in Melbourne. Russel’s other passion is reflected in his position on the board of the Melbourne Football Club.
Russel speaks on a broad range of topics including the importance of ideas, how to buy them, and why return on creativity is a vital indicator in a thriving economy.
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