Public Relations: Careers Q&A - Marina Leung, Senior director of corporate relations, McDonald's China Development Company

<p>How did you get into PR? </p><p>I always loved writing and talking to people, so in terms of career choices, publishing and PR seemed like a no-brainer. </p><p>What do you enjoy about your job? </p><p>The challenge of managing issues and also the satisfaction of seeing them resolved. To sink my teeth into almost every aspect of the company which might relate to corporate communications and reputation management. </p><p>What do you dislike? </p><p>Flying. I have yet to get used to that after all these years. </p><p>What inspires your career? </p><p>A quote from William Blake: "To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wildflower, to hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour". </p><p>Who was you mentor and why? </p><p>I don't really have a mentor per se, though I have worked with a lot of very professional individuals throughout the years. One of those is my ex-boss at Ogilvy PR, Katy Ehrlich, who now works for Waggener Edstrom in the US. </p><p>How do you handle difficult clients? </p><p>For an agency/client relationship to work, mutual respect is crucial. </p><p>Where do you see yourself in 10 years? </p><p>My dream is to 'retire' and write thrillers and travel pieces. </p><p>Which PR person do you most admire and why? </p><p>John Englehart. He's dynamic, creative and always in high spirits with new ideas and strategies. </p><p>Any advice for a PR rookie? </p><p>Read, watch and listen. </p><p>Your biggest mistake? </p><p>I am very much a forward-looking person, so after learning from the post mortem, I flush mistakes out of my mind and get on with my life. </p><p>Your greatest achievement? </p><p>The national school programme for Procter & Gamble to help launch Crest toothpaste and its line of oral products. It helped to sell products and was also very beneficial in getting proper oral/dental healthcare education down to a grassroots level in China. </p>