Sam Burrill

What is your current role, and what does your day-to-day look like? 

I’m an Account Director at OnBrand. My day-to-day revolves around working closely with clients, understanding their goals, and translating that into smart, creative, and often technically robust proposals. I lead project scoping, manage delivery expectations, and act as the bridge between the strategy, design, and development teams—often jumping in to troubleshoot or advise on more technical components when needed. 

How did you get into this line of work? What drew you to this industry? 

My path started in design—I trained in graphic design and motion graphics, but over time, I became fascinated by the digital side of things and taught myself to code. That dual fluency in creative and technical disciplines naturally evolved into a client-facing role, where I could help brands understand what’s possible and how best to bring it to life. 

If you had to work with one industry, what would it be? 

I’d lean toward the creative, technology, or public-sector space—industries where design, messaging, and community impact go hand-in-hand. I enjoy working with organisations that have complex needs and big visions, especially when I can help shape a digital strategy that makes things clearer and more engaging for their audience. 

What skills, tools, or platforms do you use most in your work? 

I draw from a pretty wide toolbox. On the creative side, tools like Adobe CC (especially Illustrator and After Effects). On the digital strategy and web side, WordPress, GA4, Salesforce, GTM, and even hands-on coding when needed (PHP, JavaScript, HTML/CSS). 

Have you received any relevant certifications or training? 

Formally, my background is in graphic design and motion graphics. Since then, I’ve added GDPR and CNIL compliance knowledge, and everything from WordPress development to API integrations—especially useful when guiding technical projects or checking feasibility before it hits the dev queue. 

What’s one professional achievement you’re especially proud of? 

Pitching and then helping deliver a fully compliant GA4 proxy solution that protects user privacy while preserving tracking capabilities. It involved legal understanding, user journey mapping, and close collaboration with developers. It’s a great example of how my hybrid skillset lets me bring a well-rounded perspective to complex problems. 

What trends or topics in your area of work do you follow most closely? 

I keep a close watch on data privacy and analytics trends—especially changes to consent models and first-party tracking. I’m also into the crossover of brand, automation, and AI—how new technologies are shaping storytelling and engagement. 

What do you enjoy most about working at OnBrand? 

The blend of autonomy and collaboration. OnBrand has the kind of culture where you can pitch an idea on Monday and see it in motion by Friday. There’s a lot of trust to follow through on good ideas, and a genuine sense of shared standards—creative, technical, and strategic. 

What’s something people might not expect from your background or personality? 

I’ve built alot of web projects and plugins myself over the years—even though my job now is more client-facing. That technical foundation lets me engage deeply with dev teams and explain complex things in simple terms to clients. I also have a creative side that never left—I’m still the go-to person for motion graphics or design checks in a pinch. 

Favourite book, podcast, or piece of media that’s influenced you recently? 

“Creativity, Inc.” by Ed Catmull is a favourite—it reminds me of the power of building teams that take creative risks safely. For a quick hit of thinking-meets-making, I love the Design Better podcast. 

What advice would you give someone starting out in your field? 

Learn to speak multiple “languages”—creative, strategic, and technical. You don’t have to master them all, but knowing enough to connect the dots makes you invaluable. Also, don’t be afraid to teach yourself the hard stuff. You’ll be surprised how often you can outpace people with formal training just by being curious and persistent.