Rhett Brennan shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Rhett, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Too often in our industry, creatives are undervalued. The work is used, praised, and shared widely, but the people who actually craft it can end up overlooked, underpaid, or simply forgotten once the final product is out in the world. That cycle is something I’ve made it my mission to change.
At Iconic Media Studios, we’re pushing to set a higher bar, one where creatives are not just compensated fairly and on time, but truly recognized for the value they bring. To us, it’s about matching the energy and effort of the creative with equal respect, resources, and opportunity. By doing so, we’re not just producing content, we’re helping to shift the culture of how creative work is treated, celebrated, and sustained.
That’s the part nobody sees: the work behind the work. Building an ecosystem where creatives can thrive, where their contributions aren’t just appreciated with praise, but with real investment. This is what makes us proud. It’s not just about making beautiful videos, it’s about making the creative community stronger and raising the standard for everyone who comes after us.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Rhett Brennan, and I’m the owner and creative director of Iconic Media Studios, a commercial advertising agency based in Austin, TX and was built on the belief that creativity has the power to shape culture and move industries forward through creativity.
At Iconic Media Studios, we specialize in producing high-level events and campaigns that seamlessly blend creative direction with full-scale production and advertising capabilities. What makes us unique is that everything happens in-house, we’re a small but powerful team of passionate creatives who can take a campaign from concept to execution under one roof. That allows us to move quickly, maintain quality, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in today’s creative space.
I started Iconic Media Studios in 2018 while still a student at Texas State University. At the time, my professors let me submit real client work as part of my coursework, which was both validating and eye-opening. It showed me that the value of what I was building outside the classroom went far beyond the traditional path. After moving to Austin in 2020, I dove into the city’s creative and business community, producing work for local businesses and personalities. Over time, Iconic grew from a scrappy college startup into a full-fledged commercial agency trusted by billion-dollar companies and industry leaders.
Today, we’ve had the privilege of working with brands like Capital One, Clarins, Formula 1, Chief Network, and many more who rely on us to deliver impactful, high-quality creative work. But at the core, what drives us isn’t just producing polished campaigns, but creating experiences and visuals that leave a lasting mark while raising the standard for how creatives are valued and supported in this industry.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
The world doesn’t tell me how to be, I decide how to shape my own world, and I believe in that more than anything. When you find something you’re passionate about, something you can do without even thinking about money, that’s when you’ve truly found your place.
The world will try to hit you every single day, but I see that as fuel. Each hit only makes me stronger, more capable, and more ready for whatever comes next. So no, the world doesn’t get the privilege of defining who I am, that’s mine alone.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I think every business owner and leader has moments where giving up feels like the easier option, sometimes that feeling shows up almost daily. The pressure, the setbacks, the constant grind can make walking away seem tempting. But if you truly want something big in life, you quickly realize the easy route won’t get you there.
What’s carried me through is the belief that persistence is what separates those who make it from those who don’t. Every challenge has tested me, but it’s also reminded me that giving up isn’t in me. The harder the road gets, the more it proves I’m heading toward something worth building.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Very much so. I’ve never been good at pretending to be someone I’m not. What you see publicly is the same person I am privately, someone who works hard, travels often, and genuinely cares about the people around me. My hope is that who I am and what I value always comes through, whether it’s in my work or in my relationships.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope the story people tell about me isn’t just about my work, but about me as a person. I want people to remember my presence, that they genuinely enjoyed being around me, that I brought energy, care, and connection into their lives. My hope is that who I am is felt so strongly while I’m here that it continues to be felt even when I’m gone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.iconicmediastudios.com
- Instagram: @iconicmediastudios @lostwithrhett
- Linkedin: Iconic Media Studios / Rhett Patterson
Image Credits
All images were taken by me or my team at Iconic Media Studios. One image being the horse and guy was taken by Henry Selis and contractor of ours but thats the only image he took
