Age: 39
Job title: regional director Asia-Pacific, J.Walter Thompson
What is your greatest work achievement?
To make colleagues and clients understand that digital marketing and branding is not a 'stand alone', but an integrated communication and branding tool that enables brands to build, enhance and maintain consumer relationships.
What would be your dream brand to work on and why?
Any brand with a brand manager who is ready to think 'outside the box', and who understands the importance of integrated marketing communication beyond traditional media. A brand that doesn't thinks 'above the line' or 'below the line', instead acting 'through the line'.
What would you do if you weren't in marketing?
Marketing - I can't imagine doing anything else.
What was your big break?
When Marc Capra hired me in 1997. With a financial/banking background and with no experience in advertising, he gave me the chance.
Who was your mentor and how did this person influence you?
Marc, the former CEO of JWT Thailand and Southeast Asia, now COO of JWT New York. A friend and mentor with a powerful vision, as well as being charismatic, honest and straightforward.
Is there a secret to your success?
"Life is an aspiration. Its mission is to strive after perfection which is self-realisation ... Human life is a series of compromises, and it is not always easy to achieve in practice what one has found to be true in theory - Mahatma Gandhi
How do you handle difficult clients?
Understanding a client's business beyond marketing avoids "difficulties".
It is vital that you build a partnership and that you help him proactively to achieve the set business goals and objectives in an open, straightforward way.
What advice would you give to the next person to do your current job?
Keep focused and follow your vision. Never forget that it's all about people. Show respect, honesty, competence and openness.
What are you currently reading that will help you in your job?
"emotion - engaging customer passion with e-crm by Zingale/Arndt.
Who is the business person you most admire and why?
My late father - arrived in Germany after World War II with nothing more than a box of his personal belongings. He built up his business from scratch.
