Andie Lowings, Alex Forrester and Mark Hutchinson join TRA

International insights agency TRA has strengthened its team in Melbourne with three experienced hires: Andie Lowings, Alex Forrester and Mark Hutchinson.

The appointments come six months after Auckland-headquartered TRA launched its Melbourne office, marking its entry into Australia (while the firm has been active in the Australian market for years, it now has a permanent presence).

Mark Hobart, a Partner at TRA, said that the appointment of the trio was a result of the successful launch in the country. “We have a growing roster of iconic, cross-category Australian and Trans-Tasman brands who benefit from our innovative and multi-disciplinary approach.”

Andie Lowings brings more than 15 years of strategy, research and cultural insight experience to TRA. She previously was Strategy Director at The Lab, held senior roles at House of Brand and served a few boutique consulting firms in the United Kingdom.

Lowings has worked across a diverse range of sectors (financial services, telco, retail, social and government, education and tourism) for iconic brands including Telstra, Mondelez, Australia Post, AIA, Qantas, Woolworths and Citibank. She has also played her part in driving high profile projects in the United States, Canada, Singapore, and New Zealand.

Alex Forrester has previously held strategy and client service positions with Clemenger BBDO, VMLY&R and most recently was Strategy Director at The Lab, working on household brands including TelstraSuper, Toyota Australia, Mondelez, Maurice Blackburn & SPC.

Lowings and Forrester have both been appointed as business directors at TRA.

Mark Hutchinson joins the firm as product owner of TRA’s new brand management product, Streamlight. He brings more than two decades of experience developing and promoting brands to the firm, having previously held roles at agencies across Australia, the UK, China, and Indonesia.

Andrew Lewis, Managing Director of TRA said: “Never has there been a more exciting time to be in the research and insights business as our clients strive to capture and retain the loyalty of their customers. Our clients need people on their team who can deliver actionable insights to their business – and tools like Streamlight to support their work.”

“Alex, Mark and Andie will bring their own particular lens and expertise to their projects, and I have every confidence they will each play an active role in delivering amazing work which has become synonymous with the name TRA in both New Zealand and Australia,” he concluded.