Name: Damon Jackson
Age: 34
Job title: Senior manager, advertising sales, ESPN Star Sports
What is your greatest work achievement? Winning the sports sales award at a TV network with the lowest profile sporting line-up in the market.
What would be your dream brand to work on and why?
Any brand that is willing to take a risk and charge ahead of the market.
What would you do if you weren't in marketing?
Be a house husband or play rugby.
What was your big break?
Hanging up the high-rise construction tool kit for a business suit at Channel 10 in Sydney.
Who was your mentor and how did this person influence you?
Grant Blackley from Ten Network Australia. He took me in as a naive kid and gave me an opportunity, taught me, supported me and led by example, showing me how working in advertising and TV can be a great career and a whole lot of fun.
Is there a secret to your success?
Know your product. I'm a TV addict.
How do you handle difficult clients?
With honesty.
What advice would you give to the next person to do your current job?
Work hard, play hard.
What are you currently reading that will help you in your job?
Bringing Down The House, a book about a card-counting syndicate in Vegas and it reinforces that you should always know that if a deal is not going to work, then move on.
Who is the business person you most admire and why?
George Lucas, because against untold odds, he has created a very successful group of companies centered around his passions. His production companies set the benchmark by which all others measure themselves. The result of this dream and passion is a product, technology and a legacy that will stand ahead of the game for years.