Dave Monk, Executive Creative Director at Publicis London opens up about his best and worst business decisions and what other career path would have worked for him.
Dave Monk: What makes him tick?
Dave Monk in his own words
"ECD of Publicis London last three years. Highlights so far; Tourism Ireland, Renault, Heineken. Five years at Grey London. Eleven years growing up at BBH with my creative partner of 17 years Matt Waller. Previously both waiters in Leicester Square, and met at Uni in Leicester. Which is grey. Summary, lots of Leicester and grey things."
1. If your house was burning down, what one thing would you save (excluding people and pets)?
My Piano. Worth its weight in burnt skin.
2. What is your favourite word?
Globule
3. What do you wish you’d invented?
Time travel
4. If it wasn’t advertising, what career would you have chosen?
Carpentry
5. What have been your best and worst business decisions?
Best: a risky career move to Grey in 2010
Worst: not reading a non-compete clause
6. What is your most over told personal anecdote?
See question 1
7. What’s been the best thing you’ve read recently (article, book, tweet etc)?
"Grief is The Thing With Feathers" by Max Porter.
8. What’s your most hated business jargon?
When 'product' is used to describe creative work.
9. What advice would you give your younger self?
Manage your time better, your life depends on it.
10. What song or film has influenced you the most?
"Say No Go" by De La Soul
Quick fire questions
- Breakfast / lunch / dinner?
Dinner aka tea - Cats or dogs?
Dogs - City, sea, fields or mountains?
Sea - Early bird or night owl?
Night owl, especially long summer ones - Head or heart?
Heart