How Jules Rogers Got Ahead
What is the next big brand in your view? Leap, the conflict resolution charity. We really need them!
Name: Jules Rogers
Company: August Media
Job title: Creative Director
What made you get into marketing?
I have always loved magazines. I remember rushing to the newsagents to get the latest copy of Blue Jeans. I pored over my older sisters’ copies of Honey and Cosmopolitan. I was hooked from a young age!
How did you get into the industry?
I thought I wanted to design CD covers but a design job came up on Campaign magazine. I got it and never looked back.
What was good and bad about your first job?
It was the best training ground. Everyone was grown up and very serious – it had a fantastic newsroom buzz. The editor screamed at everyone in true 80’s fashion but I got to commission some of today’s best-known photographers.
List your jobs to date:
I left Campaign to go to New Woman then moved on to Top Santé. I joined IPC and relaunched Ideal Home before launching 25 Beautiful Homes and soon after Livingetc. I left there to join Cabal Communications where I launched Real Homes and Ikea Family Live among others. I then became creative director of Highbury’s Lifestyle portfolio before leaving to set up August Media, a contract publishing agency. We publish magazines for clients including Ikea, City & Guilds and Strutt and Parker.
What were the best and worst, and why?
Creating Livingetc in a broom cupboard for IPC was exciting because it created so much great feedback. I’d have to say the best is August; setting up a company from scratch and handpicking your team is fantastic.
Who has been your biggest inspiration?
Alexey Brodovitch – the original art director.
What is your biggest achievement to date?
It’s yet to come.
On what do you base your success so far?
Being in the right place at the right time, working really hard, having a can do attitude, being optimistic… and because I¹m a Northerner!
What are your ambitions?
To develop August Media.
Change one thing about your job?
Nothing – I love it.
Change one thing about the world:
More equality would be good.
What is your favourite brand?
IKEA. I’m biased but it’s a huge company with a unique culture and a big heart.
What is the next big brand in your view?
Leap, the conflict resolution charity. We really need them!
List your media diet:
E4,Youtube, Saturday and Monday Guardian, Sunday Times, Sunday Mirror, EasyJet magazine, Vogue, Elle, Wallpaper, Creative Review and any magazine that I see with a funky/innovative/different feel that I wish I’d designed.
