New Juror Spotlight: Julian McBride

Julian McBride

Global Media Relations & Communications, Accenture Song

A passionate champion of communications, marketing, creativity, and the diverse people that fuel it, Julian McBride is the North America media lead for Accenture Song, the $16 billion creative tech unit of Accenture. He manages Accenture Song’s global innovation, sustainability, talent storytelling, and strategic initiatives, including executive visibility for its leaders and stakeholders worldwide. Before Accenture Song, he served as Head of PR & Communications at Droga5 and looked after the creative agency’s reputation since 2015.

Born in Illinois, USA, and raised all over the East Coast with stints in France, Brazil, and the UK, Julian brings a highly multicultural and intersectional mindset to everything he does. He is an advocate for diversity and inclusion, consistently challenging himself and those around him to create influence for positive impact, and enjoys the ride along the way. He earned a master’s degree in Marketing from the Bristol Business School (UK) and a bachelor’s degree in French from Rutgers University (USA). Julian lives in New York City with his husband, daughter, and Jack Russell terrier.

What are your top three brands that you currently follow?

The New York Times: I read it daily, specifically for business and local news and indulgent reads on culture, wellness, and travel.

A Kids Book About: The world is a complex place, and as a parent, it’s been helpful to lean on sources like this book series that ignite and empower grownups to have essential conversations with their kids — whether that be about race, justice, climate and everything in between.

Björk: As NPR put it best, she’s an “ecosystem.” She consistently raises the bar for creativity with her music, performance, art, and experimentation with technology, fashion, media, and more.

Are there any podcasts you recommend?

Everyday Positivity by Kate Crocker: I’m all about bite-sized shows. I came across this one in the early days of lockdown and continue to listen. Two-minute doses of practical positivity.

What was your first job?

Fast food. No glamour, just hard work and a crash course on customer service, food prep, and capitalism.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

No day is typical. What I dig about my gig is that I get to work with colleagues from around the world and delve into areas of expertise not often found within traditional marketing organizations — metaverse, sustainability, artificial intelligence, accessibility, and even space. It’s a playground for storytelling.

What are your top mobile apps this year?

Spotify: An obvious choice. Music is everything, and it’s wild how well this app knows my constantly evolving tastes.

Calm: One of my best habits coming out of the dark early days of the pandemic is meditation. I’m grateful to have an employer that offered this seemingly small benefit that comes with an extensive and juicy value: more peace of mind, clarity, and optimism about the world. Icing on the cake? A new habit.

What are you optimistic about for the future of Corporate Communications?

I’m optimistic about seeing more intentional inclusion of communicators that reflect the diverse spectrum of humanity.

What companies are you keeping an eye on that exemplify diversity and inclusion?

I pay particular attention to companies that communicate their diversity and inclusion journeys and ground those communications in tangible and sustained action.