Maxus worldwide chief strategy officer Damian Blackden answers M&M Global’s Lucky 13 questions – and reflects on his enjoyment of today’s ‘complex, unpredictable and ambiguous’ world.

1 – Summarise yourself in three words.

Restless, resourceful, compact.

2 – What made you want to pursue a career in media and marketing? 

Advertising just seemed much more normal than either of my parents’ vocations, given that my mother chose ordination and clergy, whilst my father owned a business in fruit machines and jukeboxes.

3 – Describe your ideal client.

Optimistic, adventurous ones who take calculated risks when they think it wise. The ones where you leave the meeting with them charged because they and the agency have invested a great deal of equity in the strategy, and that things aren’t just business as usual.

4 – Name your favourite ever campaign.

PlayStation – Double Life. For making an immediate emotional connection with you – and making you ache for the product, which it never actually showed.

5 – Which award win are you most proud of and why?

M&M Media, obviously. Best Use of the Internet (in 2007 I think) for work on Intel, which involved a partnership with My Space, so rather of its time.

6 – Who is the best industry speaker you have seen?

I really absolutely detest those who feel the need to kiss arse. But it’s Sorrell every single time. Always hyper-clear, compelling, provocative and high energy. Very formidable during debates as well.

7 – Which is your favourite social media platform, and why?

LinkedIn for finding and connecting with like-minded people in media, marketing and tech. And WhatsApp for friends, family, and the Maxus Global ExCo.

8 – Where is your ideal meeting venue?

At a basic level, anywhere that has windows and working IT, neither of which are guaranteed in my experience. Or at the top end of the scale there are people like our client, Jet.com, who is fortunate enough to have offices that have an epic, inspirational view across to Manhattan from New Jersey.

9 – What is your favourite restaurant?

Our local on a Friday night with my wife and daughter.

10 – What is hot in international media and marketing, and what is not?

Hot: Enjoying the fact that we live in an imperfect world that’s complex, unpredictable and ambiguous, but which is so rich in opportunity as a result. Not so hot: Tired metrics, templates, jet lag.

11 – Which industry buzzword would you ban?

Growth hacking.

12 – Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?

No idea. Not thinking about it right now.

13 – Finally, who would play you in a movie of your life?

Joe Pesci.