“The only source of knowledge is experience.”
Rochelle Burbury
PRINCIPAL
Rochelle Burbury has more than 30 years’ experience as a journalist and editor, media trainer and PR professional. As a business journalist, Rochelle has written on media, marketing, advertising, consumer trends, retail and general business.
Rochelle was voted No. 1 Best of the Best - Trade PR by B&T Magazine.
Rochelle began her career at media, advertising and marketing journal B&T Magazine, where she was Editor and oversaw a successful relaunch of the magazine. She then joined The Sydney Morning Herald as Media & Marketing Editor, followed by The Australian as Media & Marketing Editor.
After spending almost a decade at The Australian Financial Review as Media & Marketing Editor, where she also wrote for AFR BOSS and the AFR Magazine, Rochelle established PR consultancy Open Dialogue, owned by M&C Saatchi, which won the inaugural B&T PR Agency of the Year.
She then co-founded independent consultancy Access PR and headed the corporate and B2B side of the business until 2011 when she sold her stake. Before establishing Third Avenue, Rochelle worked with AdNews magazine as Consulting Editor, overseeing a new editorial team and writing opinion and commentary. She also writes occasional commentary for Mi-3.com.au and B&T.
She is a former Board Director of the International Advertising Association (IAA) and is also a mentor with Legends & Leaders, an Australian-first concept designed to provide marketers with valuable insights to deliver more effective client and company relationships.
Rochelle has been a judge at the B&T Awards, B&T Women in Media Awards, AdNews Awards, News Media of the Year Awards, Australian Magazine Awards, Mumbrella CommsCon and Mumbrella Publish Awards.
Rochelle is married with two ‘adult’ children (hence her penchant for gin) and a dog who is often her favourite family member.
Julie Wright
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Julie has spent 20 years working in PR and strategic communications in both Sydney and London. She has extensive hands-on experience crafting effective public relations strategies and optimising the way companies communicate and connect with stakeholders.
Throughout her career, she has worked in-house and also in the hustle and bustle of agency life — and like with her children, refuses to choose her favourite.
Julie spent a decade of her career managing public relations campaigns in paediatric healthcare for the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. During that time, she led the busy communications team responsible for The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick's $1.3 billion infrastructure program. She has also led corporate and consumer accounts at Access PR in Sydney and 3 Monkeys in London. Clients she has worked with over the years include Fairfax Media, Starcom, SBS, The Walt Disney Corporation and the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network.
Julie has led campaigns for companies spanning the media, healthcare, infrastructure and not-for-profit sectors, as well as for corporates, consumer brands and on major events.
As well as being a judge for a number of industry awards, she was also named as a finalist in Mediaweek’s Next of the Best Awards in 2024.
When she isn’t working, Julie spends her spare time with her husband trying to navigate the chaos of parenting two active boys under 10 and has now added a dog to that mix (hence her penchant for Margaritas).
Emma Spillett
CONSULTANT
Emma has more than 15 years’ experience in public relations, strategic communications, copywriting, social and digital media, and media.
Originally from Wollongong, Emma studied journalism, before beginning her career at The Illawarra Mercury, working her way through the ranks, before being appointed one of the paper’s youngest ever Chief of Staff in 2014.
Moving into communications and PR she has worked in senior roles at Western Sydney Local Health District and also as the Director of Communications for the $1 billion Westmead Redevelopment project.
Following the arrival of her son in 2019, she decided to trade in her corporate Sydney life for the chance to build both a family and a thriving business in Mudgee, NSW. She has worked with dozens of brands and businesses across Mudgee, Sydney, Wollongong and the Central Coast, including Padre Coffee, NSW Health, the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, Adenbrook Homes, Mudgee Region Tourism, Weber Shandwick and more.
Leigh Fenech
CONSULTANT
Leigh brings more than 15 years of experience across multiple industries, including eCommerce, digital content management, inventory control, and marketing.
Throughout her career, Leigh has held key roles in prominent companies such as Seafolly, Universal Music Australia, and HOYTS Group, where she developed expertise in digital content, inventory management, and large-scale project management.
Known for her strategic mindset and ability to manage complex workflows, Leigh excels in helping businesses streamline operations, optimise systems, and enhance digital presence. At Third Avenue, she continues to leverage her extensive experience in delivering innovative and tailored solutions to clients.
Poppy
CHIEF CANINE OFFICER
Poppy's alternate role is Chief Culture Officer. As a fesity but adorable West Highland Terrier (Westie), Poppy brings the vibe to Third Avenue.
She keeps the team happy and often their feet warm as she sleeps beneath the desk. Poppy is great at reminding our team that they must get up from their desks regularly (to fetch treats, play with 'Bunny', or for the ridiculously regular requests for a tummy rub).
She excels at being a 'door bitch' for any incoming deliveries and loves it when anyone - anyone - visits. Poppy keeps her mum (Rochelle) grounded and reminds her, with only a look from her eyes, that we are not curing cancer here.
Every work day she vigorously throws Bunny around the room and moans as it's time to be taken for her favourite part of the day - a walk. Where would we be without a Poppy at Third Avenue?