Bryan Branam

Partner + Account Director

Bryan made his way to Austin from Houston and never looked back. He is a proud University of Texas alum who started his advertising career at GSD&M. After working in media buying and account service on Wal-Mart and AT&T, he shifted his career to focus on the digital space with Third Rail and driving growth for our cornerstone client - Charles Schwab.

Bryan balances work with DIY projects around the house and staying active with his 8-year old son and wife - distance running and cross-training mostly.

Tyler Kirk

Senior Copywriter

After graduating from Texas Tech University (verified), Tyler sold his software company, DEEDA, to Oracle for $300 million (not verified). Soon after, he moved to the Windy City and enrolled in the Copywriting program at Chicago Portfolio School. In 2017, twelve years into his three-year Chicago plan that included included stops at agencies such as HAVAS and Leo Burnett, he set his sights on returning to the Lone Star State and setting up camp in Austin.

When he’s not concepting or crafting copy, chances are he’s either hiking in the Texas Hill Country with his wife and daughter, trying to build something that doesn’t fall over, or playing baseball on his sandlot team, The Austin Grackles. Tyler can lift over 30 pounds without even stretching and is fluent in both English and Canadian.

Holden Christiansen

Sr. Developer

Holden joined the Third Rail team as Sr. Developer. With more than 7 years dedicated to front end web development, he has a diverse array of experience building mobile apps and websites for Fortune 500 companies including AGCO, Cox Media Group, and Walgreens.

In his spare time, Holden enjoys traveling and being active by biking, running, or hiking. You’ll also find him at home with his husband and two adorable cats.

Mariana Rodriguez

Interactive Designer

Mariana graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a BFA in Advertising Design and a minor in Photography. She started her career at a design shop in California where she did everything from print to social media projects. She is an amazing designer and a bright personality to add to the Third Rail team.

Mariana enjoys being active by attending fitness classes and taking long walks with her husband and rescue dog. She likes outdoor activities like hiking, paddle boarding and landscape photography.

Mark Scholes

Partner + Creative Director

After graduating from the University of Texas, Mark started at The Richards Group working on national accounts including The Home Depot and Chick-fil-A. Moving back to Austin to be with his soon-to-be wife, he started Third Rail Creative building relationships with local clients as well as a few Fortune 500 clients.

Mark and his wife, Anissa, have 4 children, and when he’s not stepping on Legos, you can find him on the tennis court, golf course, or with Anissa at the Paramount Movie Theater watching the classics.

Jordan Gray

Art Director

Jordan brings a multi-disciplinary skill set to the Third Rail team, providing creative solutions and art direction for all mediums. A Texas State alumni with degrees in art history & mass communication she thrives on projects that allow her to curate brand experiences from start to finish, which led her to the ambitious world of advertising.

When she isn’t flexing her creative muscles you can find her: exploring Austin for the best happy hour menus, kayaking Central Texas’ multitude of rivers, watching horror movies, hosting dinner parties and taking spontaneous road trips with her husband and their two little monsters, Diego & Ollie (a blue heeler & miniature dachshund).

JJ Livesley

Head of Design & Interactive

JJ joined Third Rail with over 12 years of experience in the design industry. He supervised a team of 12 designers as Art Director at the largest publishing company in Europe and since moving to Austin, has worked for countless local and national clients.

When he is not in front of his computer, you can usually find him relaxing with his lovely wife and black pug, playing video games or watching movies with a good stout or scotch.

Cara Clear

Account Executive

Cara is a University of Texas at Austin alum with over 7 years of experience in advertising and public relations. She started her career as Publicist at the Frank Erwin Center, then switched gears after 2 years to advertising as an Account Executive at a local agency.

Born and raised in Austin, Cara is a fan of all things Longhorns (Hook 'em!). She also enjoys playing golf, watching movies, going to open houses, board games, and of course, playing with her adorable son, Liam.

Chris Sandoval

Associate Creative Director

Chris has spent the last three years of his decade-long career crafting copy at Third Rail. From emails to websites to employee bios, he does it all.

When he’s not writing for work, he’s writing for pleasure. He also enjoys swimming and biking in the great outdoors as well as drumming and watching movies in the great indoors.

Marissa Chumbley

Account Executive

Marissa has been with the Third Rail team for the last two years on the account management side. She primarily focuses on managing Schwab Trading Services client marketing, Schwab Retail and optionsXpress. After receiving her MA in Advertising, she spent time at a local ad shop honing her digital marketing skills focusing on email, web, and social channels.

In her spare time, Marissa enjoys being outdoors on the trail or at the lake with her husband and two pups, Ava and Max. She loves traveling, concerts and a good cocktail. You’ll also find her cheering throughout the season for the Cowboys, Spurs and her alma mater, the Longhorns.

Brittany Macken

Account Executive

Brittany has been with Third Rail for the last two years working in account services. Her focus has been predominantly on Trading Insights and paid search. She spent over 5 years honing her marketing and PR skills in California, and a year here in Austin at a small ad agency leading business relationships and project management.

Brittany enjoys spending time with her husband and dog Brody exploring all things Austin. When she is not attending a bachelorette party or wedding (which is rare), she loves to try new restaurants, entertain, spend time with friends, and create spreadsheets of all kinds.

Devin Yates

Account Executive

Hailing from Alabama, Devin has worked with some of the southeastern United States' most innovative chefs, developers, and designers. After moving to Austin, she worked on a diverse portfolio of accounts from non-profits and health care initiatives to statewide public agencies featuring the Texas Department of Transportation. Devin has worked on projects that have been recognized for industry excellence in the Wall Street Journal, Garden & Gun, Southern Living, Food & Wine, CNN, House Beautiful, and TEDx. She believes in the power of building community through design.

In her spare time, Devin loves cooking, exploring new restaurants and art galleries, going on home tours, and practicing yoga. She’s often found at the dog park trying to tire out her two little mongrels: Baxter and Lolly. During football season, she’s always at The University of Alabama’s alumni gathering, cheering on the Crimson Tide!

Myles Robinette

Motion Designer

Myles’ motion design career has taken him around the world from Savannah, New York City, London, and now Austin! He’s a mograph generalist that loves classical 2d animation, creative transitions, well thought-out design, and harmonious color palettes.

Being from Knoxville, Tennessee he is a whiskey sippin’ connoisseur, loves to play guitar, host dinner parties, and explore the great outdoors.

Kristi Helm

Account Executive

Kristi came to 3RC with more than 7 years experience working on internal marketing teams brand-side, and account management teams agency-side. She is our internal process guru, ensuring things stay on track and follows protocol.

Outside the office you’ll find Kristi shooting weddings on the weekend, exploring Austin’s latest restaurants, hiking, and cuddling with her husband and rescue pup, Franny, alongside an Old Fashioned and Cubs game.

Moving brands forward since 2001.

High-voltage creative energy

Leadership

Bryan Branam

Tyler Kirk

Holden Christiansen

Mariana Rodriguez

Mark Scholes

Jordan Gray

JJ Livesley

Cara Clear

Chris Sandoval

Marissa Chumbley

Brittany Macken

Devin Yates

Myles Robinette

Kristi Helm

Bryan Branam

Tyler Kirk

Holden Christiansen

Mariana Rodriguez

Mark Scholes

Jordan Gray

JJ Livesley

Cara Clear

Chris Sandoval

Marissa Chumbley

Brittany Macken

Devin Yates

Myles Robinette

Kristi Helm

Bryan Branam

Tyler Kirk

Holden Christiansen

Mariana Rodriguez

Mark Scholes

Jordan Gray

JJ Livesley

Cara Clear

Chris Sandoval

Marissa Chumbley

Brittany Macken

Devin Yates

Myles Robinette

Kristi Helm

Bryan Branam

Tyler Kirk

Holden Christiansen

Mariana Rodriguez

Mark Scholes

Jordan Gray

JJ Livesley

Cara Clear

Chris Sandoval

Marissa Chumbley

Brittany Macken

Devin Yates

Myles Robinette

Kristi Helm

Bryan Branam

Tyler Kirk

Holden Christiansen

Mariana Rodriguez

Mark Scholes

Jordan Gray

JJ Livesley

Cara Clear

Chris Sandoval

Marissa Chumbley

Brittany Macken

Devin Yates

Myles Robinette

Kristi Helm

High-voltage
creative energy