Rupert Faircliff

BRAND STRATEGY CONSULTANT, Interbrand

What attracted you to Accelerate?

I had done a few work experience placements in journalism, politics and PR. I knew that the marketing world was something I was definitely interested in, but I didn’t know exactly what. Accelerate appealed as I got to try a variety of disciplines across marketing. Plus, I thought the application wouldn’t take 2 weeks to complete!

What stream were you on and what companies did you work for?

As I’d done a few PR placements, I was selected for the Corporate Reputation Management stream. I began at Kreab Gavin Anderson, then went to Interbrand, Fleishman-Hillard, Weapon 7 and Hall & Partners.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learnt through being on the programme?

I think the most important thing I’ve learnt is to have that inner confidence to grab every opportunity that comes my way. Otherwise, you’ll never know if you can do it and you probably won’t get asked again!

What’s the best thing about being on the programme?

Being able to experience different marketing disciplines and then if you impress, being able to choose where you’d like to work is great. Secondly, the training that DAS provide is fantastic and I don’t know of many grad schemes that provide as much. And lastly, a trip to New York to meet some of the top executives at Omnicom and DAS agencies isn’t bad!

What’s the hardest thing about being on the programme?

Having to switch placements every 3 months is tough. Not only are you changing where you work, you change who you’re working with, who mentors you, as well as what you’re doing. You might not have much experience of what you’re doing. So you have to be able to keep up with the pace, but it gets easier as you go through the programme.

Where are you now and how did you get there?

When I finished Accelerate I had a really tough decision to make about where I wanted to work. Even though I wasn’t on the Brand stream, I decided I had enjoyed and got the most from my placement at Interbrand. When they offered me a role as a Brand Strategy Consultant, it was too hard to turn down.

What piece of advice would you give to someone applying to Accelerate?

3 things: have some work experience on your CV, have an (informed) opinion, and be keen.

Please give an example of something you’ve done that you never would have had the opportunity to do if you hadn’t been on the programme?

Picking their brains and then giving a solo presentation to all the CEOs and MDs of all my agencies. I certainly couldn’t have done that until I’d gained all the experience of Accelerate.

What brands have you worked on?

H&M, Investor AB, Mercedez Benz, Smart, New Look, Cadbury, Mondo Visione, Gucci and many more.

Describe yourself in 3 words

Motivated brand man

Describe in 3 words what we look for in an Accelerate graduate

Articulate, enthusiastic, stand-0ut.