Writing is in Alison’s DNA.
She blames her parents.
Alison Rentoul (or Craddock, as she was at the time) was born to write. Being the daughter of two English teachers, she really didn’t have much choice.
In primary school she wrote, illustrated and hand-published a series of children's books. Receiving a classic old manual typewriter at age 12, she clacked out endless stories and plays, some of which were actually quite entertaining. When her parents purchased a brand new Apple Mac in 1986, Alison spent happy hours swapping floppy disks in and out, revelling in the ability to edit on-screen instead of with whiteout.
Being early adopters, her parents further embraced this new technology, establishing a Desktop Publishing company. This provided Alison with a great source of income during her university years, while also giving her a great grounding in the skills of layout, design, and persuasive writing.
After completing an Arts Degree, AWARD School and a junior copywriting gig at St Kilda Road’s Grey Advertising, Alison flew to the UK seeking apprenticeships with London Advertising giants Bartle Bogle Hegarty, Leo Burnett and Ogilvy. She even travelled to advertising Mecca: the Cannes Lions Festival, where she completed the Young Lions program.
Alison and Advertising eventually parted ways when it became apparent that she needed to earn some actual money… and she took a break to travel and expand her horizons. This break lasted somewhat longer than intended, manifesting in ski seasons in the French Alps, combi vanning around Europe and working aboard luxury superyachts, cruising the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
Along the way Alison kept her Advertising and Marketing skills up, with journalism, copywriting and various marketing roles, and running her own successful businesses.
In 2017, Alison returned to Melbourne Australia, where she was ultimately reunited with her first love: Advertising, taking on the role of Head of Strategy at The Incubator. To find out more about Alison’s adventures, check out her Linked in profile here.
Why Seaside Copy?
If there’s one consistent element running through most of Alison’s life, it’s the sea. When not doing yoga or meditating in front of it, walking alongside it, or just sitting and staring at it, Alison is out sailing on it, or swimming in it, as much as she can. Alison’s morning beachside walks are an essential source of Vitamin Sea, which gives her the energy she needs to get through the day. Sea what we did there?