Watching his creative partner at the time, Georgie Parchert, take home the B&T 30 Under 30 Creative category lit a fire in the belly of Lachlan Rotherham. This year he joined the elite crew of young leaders taking home a B&T 30 Under 30 award of his own.
Rotherham joined advertising after starting out in commercial photography and content creation. Since taking out the creative category, his career has rocketed, moving into a director’s role and even directing a few projects for 72andSunny.
Before B&T crowns its next 30 young leaders, we caught up with Rotherham to discuss how the award win has changed his career.
B&T: What’s happened in your career since being recognised as part of B&T’s 30 Under 30?
Lachlan Rotherham: Quite a lot actually! Being recognised was a huge honour. It gave me the push I needed to pivot my career and chase a dream I’ve had since I was a kid: becoming a director. It’s a challenge, and while I’m still working as a creative some of the time, the pendulum has really started to swing to directing. I’ve even been fortunate enough to direct a few projects for 72andSunny in the last few months, which has been really fun.
B&T: What are your career ambitions? Has this changed after being recognised this year?
LR: Yeah, my ambitions have definitely changed this year. The focus now is directing as much as I can. It’s becoming less about trying to crack the “best idea” and more about helping bring other people’s great ideas and stories to life. As well as learning how to write better. I’ve never taken words for granted so much in my life. As an art director, words don’t come as easy as the visuals do. Which I’m learning very quickly writing my own treatments.
B&T: What trends/ opportunities are exciting you in the industry?
LR: The return of well-crafted, handmade things. And also doing things the hard way. Of course AI is still on the tip of everyone’s tongues, but I think people are starting to crave more tactile qualities in the work. It’s so easy to take the shortcut with AI, so I think audiences are really starting to recognise and value when things are done for real. So that’s really exciting to me.
B&T: Why did you choose to enter this year’s 30 Under 30?
LR: I was lucky enough to have close friends and colleagues who encouraged me to enter. Plus, my creative partner at the time, Georgie Parchert, actually won the year before which was super inspiring. Seeing your mates achieve awesome things definitely lights a fire in your belly.
B&T: What advice would you give to other emerging leaders in the industry?
LR: Cliche I know, but you really do just have to say “fuck it”, and go for it. Embrace the cringe, but also try to surround yourself with other like minded people that inspire you. They’re the ones that will push you, challenge you and encourage you to do crazy things… like put on a dress and play a character that’s also your date at a restaurant for a 30 Under 30 entry video.
Ready to go for it? Enter B&T’s 30 Under 30 Awards now!
