I have worked in the media since…
A long time ago. Put it this way, Mrs Thatcher had not yet become prime minister.
I was attracted to this particular role because…
I like being in charge of the adventure. When I first set up the company, there were no media comms consultancies in the East of England and it's incredible to think, almost 10 years on, about how far the company has come.
Not many people know…
That I am an Old Etonian (how unfashionable is that?).
My worst experience in the media was…
When I was at a radio station, I took an advertiser to lunch to discuss increasing their rates. He was in construction and said, all too seriously, that he was working on the M11 Stansted extension, and I might find myself in one of the supporting pillars.
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt in the media industry it’s…
That, especially in an ambitious agency outside of London, it’s important to keep ahead of the curve in marketing comms thinking. That's why I lecture for the CIM on Integrated Marketing Communications. Keeps me sharp.
The best bit of media business I have been involved in was…
Managing the build and launch of Q103, a commercial radio station in East Anglia. The radio station achieved the fastest recorded growth in the UK, achieving market-leader status within 14 weeks from its launch. In 2009, the radio station was rebranded. It’s now called Heart Cambridgeshire.
The one thing I can’t stand in media is…
People who say "no" and "can't".
Outside of work I spend my time…
Trying to prove Seinfeld wrong, when he said that "fun for all the family is not possible". Not there yet…
If I could do it all over again I would…
Be a screen writer. I had a top agent and was promised a guitar-shaped swimming pool in Hollywood. But that's another story.
The one event I would never miss is…
Family birthdays and The Caesarewitch Meeting at Newmarket Racecourse.
If money were no object I would…
Launch a new bank, which would be open, honest, respected, customer-care and community orientated, profitable without being obscene, and supportive of entrepreneurs and business. Oh and without call centres, so there will be real people to engage with.
The next 12 months will be...
Very busy. Media Managers will be celebrating its 10th birthday in 2013.
If I ruled the media world I would…
Encourage more ongoing training. I think a lot of people in the industry think that once they're in, that's it – they know what they know and don't need to do anything else. I personally think that ongoing training is an important asset. It enables you to learn about things you perhaps hadn't considered, and to sharpen up skills that are a bit rusty.
If I could switch places with anyone in the media world it would be…
Tom Hanks.
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