Name: Jay Lin
Age: 38
Job title: Managing director, Heartland Media Shanghai
What is your greatest achievement?
Building up the Heartland Media company. I opened the door to do business on my own in Shanghai last April with six staff, six clients and a bowl of green apples. Yes, apples. Today, we have 28 clients, and a decent second year annual revenue.
What would be your dream brand to work on and why?
Marlboro. The greatest brand idea in the world. Even if you are a non-smoker, you can't help but be inspired by its values and integrity, and that's not just because I spent six years at Leo Burnett on the account.
I would also like to support a well-run Chinese consumer products brand.
Perhaps the Haier brand in China.
What would you do if you weren't in marketing?
Teaching. I started out as an English teacher in Guangzhou back in 1984.
I plan to become a professor one day after I retire from advertising.
What was your big break?
When I was recruited by Leo Burnett Chicago as a client service associate on P&G in June 1989, after receiving a master's degree in advertising from the University of Illinois as the first mainland Chinese.
Who was your mentor and how did this person influence you?
Bob Boyer at Leo Burnett USA. He retired as a lawyer and company secretary in the early '90s. Through our decade-long friendship, he taught me to be tough in hard times, to care for loved ones, be alert to what's happening around you, and to strive to do some good to the community.
Also, Peter Boczar, a senior vice-president at Burnett in Hong Kong.
He was a Chinese kung fu instructor. His belief in Chinese people and Chinese ideas helped me believe in myself.
Is there a secret to your success?
Yes, trusting in friendship.
How do you handle difficult clients?
I tend to run into good clients. If a client is difficult, he is either showing you that he is not happy with your work, or that he doesn't like you, or simply that he is having a bad day. Either way, you should be a good listener.
What advice would you give to the next person to do your current job?
Spend more time with family and friends, and if possible, play more golf.
What are you currently reading that will help you in your job?
'Think and Grow Rich' by Napoleon Hill.
Who is the person you most admire?
Leo Burnett.
