Copywriter | Editor

About

Olivia Finlayson

Senior Writer + Editor

Melbourne

 

I've been a compulsive writer for as long as I can remember. If I didn't commit something to paper how could I be sure that it happened? If I didn't catalogue teenage heartbreak in my journals – which now consume a sizeable plot of real estate in my long-suffering parents' garage – did it even happen? Eventually (and fortunately) writing became financially viable.

After obtaining a Bachelor of Communication from RMIT, I contributed on a freelance basis to various online publications, and worked with leading digital agencies on wide-ranging projects. 

In 2011, I kicked off my copywriting career with international skin care company Aesop. Three years as a full-time writer polished my writing and editing skills, and honed a sharp eye for detail, attention to syntax, grammar, punctuation and rhythm. I continue to write for the brand on a freelance basis.

When writing and editing, I strive for exacting language. And prizing concision and clarity, I hold fast to Rule 17 of seminal text The Elements of Style: omit needless words – a mantra and practice essential to clean, clear and well-written copy.

I currently work as Associate Creative Director, Copy, at Melbourne-based creative studio, PLAYGROUND.

Prior to this incredible role, I held the position of Senior Copywriter at Movember, the world’s leading men’s health charity. And before Movember, I enjoyed my position as Senior Copywriter at Cornwell, one of Australia’s leading creative studios specialising in lifestyle branding and exceptional creative across retail, luxury, finance, fashion, property, commercial and hospitality.

As a Senior Copywriter, I focus largely on helping brands to create and deliver a consistent tone, voice and presence. From social media to individual campaigns to placemaking strategies to brand books and guidelines, I work across a diverse range of projects targeting diverse audiences.

FAVOURITE READS OF 2024
For couldn’t-put-it-down recommendations, see those in bold.

Homegoing Yaa Gyasi
The Most Fun We Ever Had Claire Lombardo
Circe Madeline Miller
Second Place
Rachel Cusk
On Palestine Ilan Pappé, Noam Chomsky
Shuggie Bain
Douglas Stuart

The Inseparables
Simone de Beauvoir
Held
Anne Michaels

FAVOURITE READS OF 2023

My Name Is Lucy Barton Elizabeth Strout

Invisible Cities Italo Calvino
Convenience Store Woman Sayaka Murata
Confabulations John Berger
Minor Detail Adania Shibli
Songs for the Dead and the Living
Sara M Saleh
So Late in the Day
Claire Keegan
Simple Passions
Annie Ernaux
Kitchen
Banana Yoshimoto
Nothing to See Here
Kevin Wilson
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies Deesha Philyaw
Western Lane
Chetna Maroo
No Country for Old Men Cormac McCarthy
Hydra by Adriane Howell
The Neapolitan Series Elena Ferrante
Drive Your Plough Over the Bones of the Dead Olga Tokarczuk
Foster Claire Keegan
The Song of Achilles Madeline Miller
The Labyrinth Amanda Lohrey
Cold Enough for Snow Jessica Au
Boy Swallows Universe Trent Dalton
Small Things Like These Claire Keegan
Misunderstanding in Moscow Simone de Beauvoir
Detransition, Baby Torrey Peters
Never Let Me Go Kazuo Ishiguro
Home Fire Kamila Shamsie
All That I Am Anna Funder
Hamnet Maggie O’Farrell
Parable of the Talents Octavia E. Butler
The Rabbit Hutch Tess Gunty
The Trio Johanna Hedman
Olive Kitteridge Elizabeth Strout
Dinosaurs Lydia Millet
The Yield Tara June Winch
Sula Toni Morrison

 

 

 

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