Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandi Rand
Hi Brandi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a former advertising executive who began in 2009 as a self-taught media maven in Kansas City, MO (my hometown) launching SEO and digital campaigns for real estate leaders and small businesses. Fast forward, to being recognized as one of the Top 20 women in Dallas advertising in 2020 and ultimately becoming a Group VP at top Publicis ad agency managing their largest social account. I am proud to have built culture-shifting campaigns while leading agency teams for AT&T, Toyota Motors North America, Uber, Samsung and Bank of America. As a trailblazer thriving at the intersection of sports, music and entertainment, I launched the first influencer campaign with the Dallas Cowboys in 2016 and have since worked with everyone from PGA noteable and Dallas native, Jordan Spieth to Terrell Owens, Jerome Bettis and Jason Witten of the NFL. In collaboration with top media outlets including ESPN, OWN, ABC, YouTube and BET my work has been experienced on TV, in stadiums and on red carpets including the NAACP Image Awards, BET Awards and the College Football National Championship. My expertise is deep rooted in storytelling and culture.
Currently, I am the Founder of HER Agency: The Collective, a platform curated for Black women in advertising where we can level-up and have real conversations on how to thrive in the industry while building real community. I am also the host of HER Agency: The Podcast, a pod that centers Black women in leadership who are bold enough to own their agency. I am proud to say the podcast broke the top 100 in marketing podcasts at launch and continues to add subscribers weekly across YouTube, Spotify and iTunes because the stories of resilience resonate. Yes, they are of Black women in advertising, but the experiences, lessons and ah-ha moments are universal.
I am also a speaker and trainer and love to share my zone of genius — teaching women and girls to own their agency. Approaching agency as an action is a game-changer for those who want to take control of their lives. Every action has a reaction but knowing your values, goals, and beliefs empower you to make strategic decisions vs unplanned reactions. I always say “if you are always reacting you are always behind.” I also speak on influence, social media and career pivoting.
This work is important to me because after navigating over 17 years in advertising I have seen more Black women leave the industry at the mid-career mark than any other demographic; all while brands increasingly marketing to Black women because of our impact on the consumer marketplace, spending power and ability to shift culture. What I know to be true, is if we are not in the rooms and at the tables telling our stories, they will either be told wrong (stereotypes and misrepresentation) or not told at all. What many are unaware of is that the ad industry holds unparalleled power in shaping perceptions, driving consumer behavior, and influencing cultural narratives. In an era of digital disruption and societal change, the power of advertising lies in its ability to both amplify and disrupt, serving as a catalyst for shaping the future of brands, communities, and the global marketplace and Black women need to be at the forefront.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? (Hell to the nah, to the nah, nah, nah plays in my head.) No, it has not been smooth, but nothing great in life ever is. Advertising is not an industry built for Black women or any group considered a minority to win. Take a look at any episode of Mad Men, that is the vision a lot of agency CEOs and marketing leaders at brands still have for this industry.
The challenges have been instrumental in shaping the leader I am today. Navigating this industry as a Black woman has meant facing unique hurdles — like overcoming bias, microaggressions and being the only Black person Black woman in the room. Early on, this meant having to constantly prove my worth which often meant fighting for recognition and opportunities.
As I matured in my experience I began to develop strong boundaries– agency, to advocate for myself and others who were in similar situations. In everyday life decisions like taking time off to care for a relative, have a baby or go to your kid’s recital are constantly tough decisions when agency and boundaries are not in place.
I was also exposed to industry organizations which led with the promise of leveling up and building community but oftentimes under-delivered due to geographical boundaries, lack of consistency or other key factors. I learned a lot and made life-long friends while serving on boards including ColorComm as the inaugural comms director for Dallas as well as during my 3-term tenure as DEI chair with American Advertising Federation – Dallas. However it was while I was serving as national ERG lead for Black employees at a national ad agency where I learned that regardless of agency, location, organization, level of career stories of Black women (and men) in advertising were very similar and laced with lack of support and opportunity. The through line for those who were thriving was they learned how to leverage their agency. From those stories, trials and experiences, HER Agency was launched.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about HER Agency?
HER Agency: The Collective is a platform dedicated to empowering Black women in advertising, media, marketing, and PR. We specialize in helping high-achieving Black women own their careers, tell their stories authentically, and tackle the unique challenges they face in corporate spaces. Through our tailored coaching, digital products, and training programs, we equip women with the tools, strategies, and mindset shifts needed to succeed in leadership roles and elevate their personal brands.
What sets us apart is our laser-focus on the specific needs of Black women in these industries. We address issues like bias, microaggressions, and the lack of support and promotion that many Black women face. Our collective thrives in a 12-month cohort, where we focus on building strategic leadership skills, creating professional boundaries, and advocating for promotions and raises and building our personal brands.
The HER Agency Podcast is a cornerstone of our brand, where we feature inspiring conversations with women leaders who share their lived experiences, triumphs, and lessons learned in their journeys. The podcast serves as a source of inspiration, mentorship, and empowerment, helping listeners feel seen, heard, and connected to a community of like-minded professionals. This podcast was a passion project to amplify new voices in advertising and new stories. Other podcasts in this space are sponsored or promoted via various industry organizations so the conversations are more politically correct or safe. I am beyond thrilled that my self-funded podcast broke into the top 100 marketing pods at launch. I believe what made it pop was that I am independent and was able to dig deep into my guest’s lived experiences without guardrails or someone to answer to. I am honored they felt so open to share the real and create inspiration through authentically sharing their perspectives.
What I’m most proud of is how HER Agency creates a space for Black women to thrive unapologetically. The work we do goes beyond traditional career development. We’re building a movement, a network of support that empowers women to take ownership of their careers, create sustainable careers, and rise to leadership positions.
I want our readers to know that HER Agency is more than just a business or platform—it’s a community where Black women in advertising can find support, guidance, and the inspiration they need to reach their highest potential. Through our coaching, podcasts, and resources, we’re creating a movement that shifts the narrative and elevates the voices of Black women in this space. Our mission is to ensure that every woman we work with knows her worth, owns her agency, and feels empowered to lead with confidence and purpose. Simply put, it’s giving everything you wish your ERG, group chat and industry organization gave. You can sit with us!
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happy right now is the ability to be free in my creative expression and do the work of my heart’s desire. For over 17 years I’ve been in advertising at one agency or another underneath a major holding company and am not free to explore the different perspectives and voices that those who work in this industry have to offer. To be able to bring that to light through this platform and to build a community where women in this industry can thrive and not just survive brings me so much joy.
Also what brings me joy is living life. I am a proud mom of two boys who play all the sports, garden, do yoga and meditate with me — and who are also on the honor roll and top achievers in their age groups academically. The ability to make all of their practices and games is so fulfilling as an active and engaged mommy. There is a saying that the majority of the time your children spend with you will be from birth through the age of 18 and I love that as an entrepreneur I am here for absolutely every moment. Last but not least, I’m married to the love of my life and the yin to my yang, my husband Michael who is truly my best friend. So those are the things that bring me joy right now just being able to explore creatively and live life fully.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brandirand.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandi_rand/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandirand/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HERAgencyPod
- Other: https://heragency.co
Image Credits
I own rights to all images.
