GOOD introduces: Rebecca Pownall

From your experience in the industry, it seems you’ve worked with broad range of clients, across different sectors. What inspires you?

Honesty. Sounds simple, but it can be the hardest thing for people to do. Sometimes that might mean leading a narrative with compassion rather than the expected, at other times it might be challenging a brief or protecting the creative integrity of a concept with a client. Or perhaps leading a team through a period of change.

At GOOD, a lot of our work is telling stories from underserved communities. Being able to share uncomfortable truths in an honest and authentic way is how we can ensure these stories play a meaningful role in supporter’s lives and get the vital funds needed to service users. Delivering hardworking, engaging, impactful work takes honesty from everyone throughout the process, and not taking the easy route, from the moment the brief comes in.

How did you first arrive in the industry?

I started out doing work experience for a Global agency on their flagship account, and after a month they offered me a perm position as an Account Executive. Those first few years were pretty incredible. I worked on such a broad range of campaigns with some brilliantly talented people – from in-store comms to proximity media, to designing and producing products & experiences, and everything in between. Understanding all parts of the campaign lifecycle, understanding the intricacies of consumer behaviour change, and making lasting friendships – I was very fortunate to experience it all. It was very much work hard, play hard, and I learnt so much about how to lead with integrity, passion and to treat your team with humility, not ego.

What drew you to GOOD, and our work?

I’ve spent a lot of my career creating work for big global brands, which has been incredibly interesting and presented so many opportunities to challenge the status quo and societal norms.  Whether that’s bringing new consumers into a very traditional category or casting talent and representing gender equality in a way that’s never been done before for the brand.

Being able to bring that breadth of experience to GOOD and our clients, and push the work we create even further, knowing the real change we are making to people’s lives is extremely motivating.

What are your ambitions as the Client Services Director at GOOD?

Continuing to build our diverse team of talent. People often underestimate the technicality and intricacy of the work we do, and the blend of skillsets we have in the team makes it look easy. As we continue to grow, finding new ways to bring talent in an evolved ‘new normal’ and challenge us is so exciting.