The Brownbill Effect

Sally Brownbill
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Conversations with the people who make Australia's creative industry tick. Sally Brownbill has spent decades connecting photographers, designers, art directors and creative talent with the people who need them, and she knows everyone. In each episode she sits down with a creative who's carved out a real career and gets the honest version: how they got in, what the work actually involves, and what it takes to last. From The Brownbill Effect.

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    Industry Convo with Tait Ischia: People, AI and everything in between!

    In this Industry Convo I speak with Tait Ischia, someone I’ve known for years, and it was fantastic to sit down with him and hear about his whole career. One of the joys of working in creative industries is seeing people evolve over time, and Tait’s journey is a great example of that. Across every role he’s taken on, he’s brought genuine enthusiasm for people, ideas, strategy, and communication. Head of Brand feels like a very well-deserved title!

  2. Oct 20

    Talking with Toni Newman: Networking, diversifying, and backing yourself!

    In this Industry Convo, I sit down with Toni Newman, owner of Toni+Co, and a dear friend. Toni’s career has been an adventure in shifting, diversifying, networking, and staying open to any possibilities. From starting as a secretary, moving through advertising, production and casting, to running her own production company for many years, each chapter built toward something more meaningful. That led to Toni+Co. An interior design, decorating and styling studio grounded in truly understanding clients (their needs, their lives, their budgets; the whole picture!) to create spaces that not only work and are beautiful, but genuinely improve how people live. One of Toni’s driving forces has always been to say yes and work out the details later. Knocking on doors, leaning on her network, and learning from every experience; she’s a real powerhouse, and her story is a reminder of where backing yourself and saying yes can lead!

  3. Oct 13

    Getting to know Laura and Lily from SICKDOGWOLFMAN

    In this conversation I talk to Laura and Lily, exploring how their fields in the design industry converge and intersect as a brand strategist and an account executive at the award-winning Melbourne-based creative agency, SICKDOGWOLFMAN. Laura Agricola-Moss is an advertising and brand strategy professional who serves as a Strategy Director. With experience at major agencies such as Saatchi & Saatchi Australia and CP+B in the United States, she specialises in brand communication, and strategic insight. Her work focuses on helping brands develop strong, distinctive positioning by combining creative thinking with data-driven strategy. Get in touch with Laura: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraagricola/ Lily Brownbill-Stevens recently graduated from RMIT with a Bachelor in Professional Communications (Public Relations) and has been steadily building her career in the industry ever since. After completing several successful internships, she gained hands on experience and developed strong client and communication skills. She now works as a Senior Account Executive at SICKDOGWOLFMAN, continuing to grow and establish herself in the field. Get in touch with Lily: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-brownbill-stevens-60b63920b/ Get to know SICKDOGWOLFMAN https://www.sdwm.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/sickdogwolfman/?hl=en

  4. Oct 6

    Industry Convo with Marcus Byrne: The Robots Are Here. Now What?

    Marcus Byrne once hated AI. After 20 years of making things the hard way, discovering Midjourney felt like the end of his creative identity. Then he changed his mind. In this June 2026 conversation, Marcus, now a creative director and AI specialist, talks about curiosity, craft and learning to see the possibilities. We talk about the four generations of makers in his family, his first experiments with Midjourney, and why human connection and a unique point of view matter more than ever in the age of AI. He's one of the most curious creatives I know. Listen if you're a designer, photographer or creative wondering what AI means for your work.   Get to know Marcus Byrne: www.marcusbyrne.com

  5. Sep 29

    Get to Know Michaela Webb: One of Melbourne’s Most Respected Designers

    In this interview we talk to the founder of Studio Round, Michaela Webb. A leader in the design industry, she has spent years shaping her practice into one of Australia’s most thoughtful and influential design studios. Her work is grounded in a belief that design should speak with honesty, intention, and a strong sense of place. With her calm clarity and generous approach to creative thinking, Michaela leads with both intuition and insight. Notable works include the rebranding of Chadstone Shopping Centre, and many renowned restaurants that make up part of Melbourne’s nightlife such as Gimlet, Cumulus Inc, and Attica just to name a few.   Michaela reflects on her journey from a young designer finding her place in the industry to forming one of Melbourne’s most respected design studios. She shares the pivotal moments that shaped her practice, the challenges and growth that came with leadership, and her vision for the future. We also dive into what the next era of design may hold as AI becomes part of the creative landscape, and how designers can continue to work with purpose, and evolution.   Get to know Studio Round: www.round.com.au/about

  6. Sep 22

    Talking with Shenē Pao: Finishing Design at Swinburne Uni & What’s Next...

    Shene Pao is a Melbourne-based communication designer and a recent graduate of Swinburne University’s Communication Design (Honours) program. Her work explores the intersections of culture, identity, and visual storytelling, often drawing on her Chinese heritage to inform thoughtful and inclusive design outcomes. Blending graphic design, love for fashion and analogue craft, Shene brings a reflective, research-driven approach to every project while continuously pushing the boundaries of contemporary visual communication. Check out her work https://readymag.website/u3807967818/shenepaodesign/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shenepao_archives/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shene-pao-a2bb6723b/ Get to know the Brownbill Effect https://thebrownbilleffect.com/

  7. Sep 16

    Heidi Romano: Designer with a touch of rebellion - A Convo with Sally Brownbill

    In this episode Sally chats to Heidi Romano, a Designer, Curator & Storyteller   For 25 years, Heidi has worked at the crossroads of design, photography, and storytelling – crafting bold identities and narratives that connect people and ideas. With a curator’s eye and a storyteller’s instinct, Heidi transforms every project into a visual experience that resonates – blending strategy, design and purpose.   As a multidisciplinary designer, she craft brand identities, books, exhibitions, and experiences that inspire action. Her modern, minimalist approach uncovers the unique story behind each brand, drawing from years of publishing and curation to shape thoughtful, meaningful content.   Heidi has designed award-winning photo books, curated exhibitions for LensCulture at Aperture New York, Photo London, and Paris Photo, directed Photobook Melbourne – a festival that brought together over 7000 creative people and founded Unless You Will, one of the first online photography magazines celebrating global talent.   Every project starts with a story. And Heidi's role is to help bring it to life – with depth, integrity and a touch of rebellion.

  8. Sep 9

    Industry Convo with Marcus Byrne: Tech doesn’t tell stories, humans do!

    Marcus Byrne is an Irish-born, Australian-based creative director and AI specialist with twenty years of agency experience across Leo Burnett, VMLY&R and Thinkerbell. He now helps ad agencies, design agencies and production departments to integrate AI into workflows and think differently about the creative process in order to elevate creative ideas. I jumped on a video call with Marcus on a cold June 2026 morning to hear his fabulous insights. He comes from four generations of makers. A typesetter grandfather. A paste-up artist uncle. A screen-printing Art Director father. And Marcus, who embraced every new tool without ever losing the craft underneath. Every generation faced a new tool, kept an open mind, and adapted. This one is no different. He has learned that the “expert mind” is a liability; the only way forward is to reclaim a Beginner’s Mind, asking the child’s question, “What could this become?” He stays curious for a living. Playful by nature, serious about craft. Making things, teaching things, advocating for a smarter, more human transition into what’s next. He’s built viral campaigns, authored four books on AI prompting available on Apple Books, spoken at AGDA, KPMG, RMIT, House of GAI and Cairns Crocodiles, and holds a board seat at AI:OK. His Tesla spec ad was built from 130 AI-generated images in 18 hours. His Jaguar response film hit 13 million views. His AI generated Gaudi Appliances went viral and was published in the Guardian. He’s a creative partner to Figma Weave, Leonardo AI, ImagineArt, and Hailuo, building at the frontier of what’s possible. His belief is simple. Tech doesn’t tell stories. Humans do. Website www.marcusbyrne.com Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-byrne Apple Books https://books.apple.com/us/author/marcus-byrne/id327110805 Youtube www.youtube.com/@marcusbyrne01 Instagram www.instagram.com/marcusbyrnephotography/ X https://x.com/Marcus_Byrne Gumroad https://marcusbyrne.gumroad.com/

  9. Sep 7

    Industry Convo with Melissa Giuffrida: Building Collécte

    Melissa Giuffrida came home from Washington DC in 2017, tried to help her sister sell some very good designer furniture, and found there was nowhere to do it besides eBay, Gumtree or the auction houses. So she built Collécte. Before that she was a fashion buyer and then effectively running Bloom Cosmetics for eight years, learning export, formulation and graphics, which is exactly the point she makes about working for other people first. A practical conversation about spotting a gap and backing yourself to fill it.

  10. Sep 1

    A Convo with Dimitri Antonopoulos: Why Dimitri changed his name back and leading inclusive businesses spaces

    Episode 2 of Industry Convos, where Sally Brownbill (CEO of The Brownbill Effect) chats to people of all roles in the creative field, shining light to perspectives that make up the industry. Get to know The Brownbill Effect: https://thebrownbilleffect.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thebrownbilleffect/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-brownbill/ Get to know Dimitri: Dimitri Antonopoulos is a strategy and human-centred design leader dedicated to driving meaningful change. He works with First Nations communities, impact organisations and government to develop cultural awareness, inclusion and creative transformation across strategy, design and technology. With a background in research, strategy and ethical leadership, his work puts people and culture first. He believes business should be a force for good, and that representation matters. Insta: @_dimitrisantonopoulos @wearetank @thedesignkids LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimitrisantonopoulosmelbathina/ Want to listen to more of Sally?? Well look no further, she also co-hosts a podcast ALL ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY with Harriet Tarbuck. Full witty of banter and insights into the photography industry in Australia. Check it out here: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ON5bszlJX72zSN5ruyKI1?si=4fca97154d2a44ea Podbean: https://whmspod.podbean.com/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/when-harri-met-sally-a-photography-podcast/id1774928745

  11. Sep 1

    Felix Barnett: Co-Leading Young Bloods and being an Art Director at 26

    Get to know The Brownbill Effect: https://thebrownbilleffect.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thebrownbilleffect/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-brownbill/ Get to know Felix Barnett: He is An Art Director. A curious cat—from advertising and design, to film, coffee, and board games. An em-dash enthusiast—well before AI made it 'un-cool'. Awarded Runners Up of Film in the Australian Cannes Young Lions Competition 2024 alongside Trinity Ross. Created advertising campaigns for local, national, and international brands including the likes of DSC Cricket, Coles, VIVA Energy, Steeline, SG Fleet, imar insurance, KOCH Agronomic Services, Arcare Aged Care and TAC. Insta: @felixhbarnett @bundyagency @youngbloodsaus Felix's award winning Short Film: "TAC To Die For: — https://youtu.be/f1chrUr1xlg Gruen Pitch 2025 | Youngbloods VIC | Jackpot! The brief? Convince Aussies to spend their kids' inheritance: https://youtu.be/g0s1T-nPkyI Want to listen to more of Sally?? Well look no further, she also co-hosts a podcast ALL ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY with Harriet Tarbuck. Full witty of banter and insights into the photography industry in Australia. Check it out here: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ON5bszlJX72zSN5ruyKI1?si=4fca97154d2a44ea Podbean: https://whmspod.podbean.com/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/when-harri-met-sally-a-photography-podcast/id1774928745

  12. 09/09/2025

    Get to know Melissa Giuffrida, Owner of Collécte (better than Facebook market place?)

    In this episode we talk to a dear friend and amazing business woman, Melissa Giuffrida. Melissa started Collécte when she returned from living in the U.S (in 2017). She was helping my sister try and sell some pieces of really nice designer lighting and furniture and there was no where to sell these pieces other than Ebay, Gumtree or the Auction houses. Coming off living in Washington D.C and working in a High end furniture marketplace with experience as working as an interior decorator there was an obvious hole in the market with no where to sell these pieces. So she decided to take the plunge and start Collécte. Mellissa's goal at Collécte is to provide an easy, seamless way to buy and sell pre-owned furniture and accessories. As more people look for sustainable and environmentally conscious ways to shop, pre-owned pieces are gaining in popularity. They offer not only economic value but also reduce waste and environmental impact. Collécte have made buying and selling second hand furniture more accessible to a broader audience.

  • 12 Episodes

About

Conversations with the people who make Australia's creative industry tick. Sally Brownbill has spent decades connecting photographers, designers, art directors and creative talent with the people who need them, and she knows everyone. In each episode she sits down with a creative who's carved out a real career and gets the honest version: how they got in, what the work actually involves, and what it takes to last. From The Brownbill Effect.

Information

  • Creator
    Sally Brownbill
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Brownbill Effect