High-voltage
creative energy
We are not a traditional agency.
We are not a social agency,
or a digital agency.
We are a creative agency.
Leadership
Bringing together over 20 years each of creative and strategic experience, Mark Scholes and Bryan Branam have honed their ability to creatively solve their clients' unique challenges. Starting at agencies like The Richards Group and GSD&M respectively, they learned the processes of the big shops, but worked to maintain a real authenticity with each client. They are dedicated to finding like-minded folks to work with, and have cultivated a diverse, creative environment at Third Rail.
Devin Yates
Sr. Account Executive
Mark Scholes
Partner + Executive Creative Director
Cara Clear
Sr. Account Executive
Desiray Davis
Account Coordinator
Kristi Helm
Sr. Account Executive
Nicholas Pessarra
Copywriter
JJ Livesley
Head of Design & Interactive
Holden Christiansen
Sr. Developer
Bryan Branam
Partner + Account Director
Chris Sandoval
Associate Creative Director
Marissa Chumbley
Sr. Account Executive
Laurel Martin
Account Coordinator
Nguyen Pham
Production Artist
Jordan Gray
Associate Creative Director
Madeline Brooks
Director of Business Development
Abbey Dandy
Interactive Designer
Mariana Rodriguez
Sr. Interactive Designer
Devin Yates
Sr. 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!
Mark Scholes
Partner + Executive 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.
Cara Clear
Sr. 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.
Desiray Davis
Account Coordinator
Desiray is our Account Service intern in her second year of grad school at the University of Texas at Austin, Stan Richards School of Advertising and PR. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Advertising focusing on Account Planning and Media Insights. When she is not discovering consumer insights, you can find her yelling "Texas! Fight!" at UT football, volleyball, and basketball games. Hook'em!
Kristi Helm
Sr. 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.
Nicholas Pessarra
Copywriter
Our first pandemic-era hire, copywriter Nick joins 3RC without having physically met most of us! He brings a range of experience and he’s quickly become an invaluable part of our creative team. And while we haven’t all been able to meet in person, we’ve had several game sessions and quickly learned how valuable he would be on a trivia team.
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.
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.
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.
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
Sr. 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.
Laurel Martin
Account Coordinator
Laurel joins the 3RC team as our new Account Coordinator. Hailing from the Windy City, she moved to Austin in search of warmer weather and weekend hikes. After getting her undergraduate degree in Advertising from the University of Oregon, she made her way back to Chicago and spent the beginning of her career as an Account Management Intern. Now, she’s looking forward to finding the best breakfast taco, kayaking on Lady Bird Lake, and getting comfortable saying “y’all” in conversation.
Nguyen Pham
Production Artist
Nguyen is a multi-disciplinary designer with a focus in print design and production. Her experience working with various print and design software enables her to work behind-the-scenes to ensure all files are ready for the next stage.
Outside of the office, Nguyen enjoys finding the best karaoke places to belt out some classics, going to local breweries and shows, and embroidering on a quiet evening.
Jordan Gray
Associate Creative 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).
Madeline Brooks
Director of Business Development
Madeline serves as Third Rail’s Director of Business Development. Her passion for helping businesses reach their goals and her ability to create strong, meaningful partnerships have allowed her to work with incredible companies, including Lionsgate, Warner Bros., Nestlé, Rooster Teeth, and many more.
When she isn’t at the office or meeting with clients, you will probably find her at a concert, doing something in nature, jamming or performing with her band, playing video games, planning her next scuba diving trip, or doing makeup for weddings and special events. Or she’s just being completely lazy, eating pizza, and watching classic Mel Brooks comedies with her Maine coon cat, Link.
Abbey Dandy
Interactive Designer
We’re excited to welcome Abbey and her passion for web design and typography to our creative team as our new Interactive Designer. Drawing inspiration from contemporary and classic fashion and graphic design, she has always used art to express herself. Outside of designing, you can catch her riding her bike, collaging, and relaxing with family and friends.
Mariana Rodriguez
Sr. 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.