1. Survival essential
Making a shelter, finding food and attempting to escape are going to be high on your agenda -- so which brand will you find most useful in your attempt to tame the great outdoors?
Swiss Family Robinson style there would be a trunk full of stuff on board the conveniently sunken wreck of my boat -- not too far from the shore. It would be stashed full of goodies like Bosch power tools and Swiss Army Knives. I am not a great tamer, but I am excellent at delegating so I would opt for meeting up with the locals and handing over a selection of useful items to them with a fairly detailed drawing of what I would like to have done.
2. Last taste of civilisation
The island has a plentiful supply of nuts and fruit, not to mention a healthy population of fish, so you will have plenty to eat. But which one food brand are you really going to miss from your old life?
I have always found tea very comforting -- it's quintessentially English and great to drink in hot climates so I'd opt for Twinings. Oh and Mr Kipling Mince pies at Christmas -- it's an office vice. Either those or a good red wine. If I was going to cheat I'd say that there was a case of very good claret on the boat too, with remarkably no breakages.
3. Best reminder of home
Successful survivalists always claim that it is mental attitude which sees them through. Belief that you will get back home is going to be vital -- so which brand will sum up home best?
This is a really tough one. There's a bit of me that wants to say my football club. But you know, and this sounds corny, I would probably say it's Coutts. The company is such a big part of my life and we have all worked really hard to make it a success -- I would really miss working here.
4. Most welcome online brand
Eventually you manage to rig up your own connection to the internet using bits and pieces found on the beach but you have only one chance to log on to a website before it goes down -- which online brand will you choose?
Online brands that I love include Amazon.com -- can they deliver books by parachute? But, I also like the BBCi portal where you can find out the weather in any part of the world. I'd tap in the postcode for Shepherd's Bush, check that it was tipping down with rain in June, and sit back with my coconut punch and feel very smug indeed.
5. Ultimate luxury
Self indulgence is hard to come by on a desert island, so what brand would you be most excited to find washed up on the beach?
Just like all people who work really hard I like a bit of self-indulgence in my down time. Usually, this manifests itself once a year by turning left when we get on a plane to head for somewhere sunny and very far away. Ironically, that's usually a beach! But, asking for a long-haul Virgin flight to South Africa might be a bit daft when I have my own island paradise! My luxury certainly wouldn't be very gadgety -- I'm probably the only person in the UK that has bought an iPod and never used it. So, I guess I'll give the tricky designer answer and opt for something that doesn't exist yet, but maybe it should. If Audi made a motorboat I'd like to find that washed up on the beach -- comfortable, reliable and fast escape.
6. Transferable skills
You already work in the jungle of marketing so there are probably skills which you have acquired through your job which will come in handy -- or you may have other hidden talents. Which of your personal skills will help you to get to grips with life on a desert island?
My wife Sue will probably be weeping with laughter by this point. So here goes, I will admit that it certainly wouldn't be DIY. But, I could design a really great tree house. Once again over to the locals.
Adrian Whitefoord, founding partner of Pemberton and Whitefoord, comments:
I can understand Nigel's move towards delegation but I would urge a degree of caution. Certain tribes on the island are lethal enough when armed with mere bamboo spears, the idea of them brandishing Swiss Army Knives and Bosch power tools sends a chill down my spine. Perhaps introducing them to the calming effects of a nice cup of Twinings and a mince pie would sweeten their nature but I would steer clear of the unpredictable effects of alcohol unless Nigel has the engine of his custom Audi powerboat gunned and ready to cruise out of poison dart range.
Perhaps Nigel's Amazon.com airdrop should consist of Dorling Kindersley 10,001 Hints & Tips for the Home. Rather than relying on the natives he could use all those tools to build himself a luxury apartment and whisk his wife back to the island in the boat for a romantic weekend break. If only he had included Milk Tray on his list the picture would be complete.
Q&A supplied by design consultancy Pemberton & Whitefoord.
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