Ahead of our AMG ‘7 Minute Mentor’ speed learning session in Melbourne on May 17, McCann head of strategy and media Dave Phillips shares the value of remembering everyone’s name and spending more time with clients than colleagues.

TCC: Why advertising as a career?

DP: While mine are more than enough, I love working on other people’s problems.

TCC: If you hadn’t pursued this as a career, what else would you have done?

DP: If it becomes my career I’ll let you know.

TCC: Name three skills or qualities you think you need to stay at the top of your game ?

DP: Be quick. Be likeable. Try to be smart.

TCC: What’s the best part of your job?

DP: The people at my agency. Nothing else comes close.

TCC: What’s the worst part of your job?

DP: Disappointing others.

TCC: What’s your most embarrassing career moment?

DP: Spending almost $2 million on an event few people came to.

TCC: What’s your career high?

DP: Building my current team.

TCC: What do you look for in a team member?

DP: Honesty, intellect and a desire to get their hands dirty (give it a go).

TCC: If you could step back in time and offer yourself just one piece of advice as you started your career, what would it be?

DP: Remember everyone’s name. Spend more time with clients than colleagues. Digital media pays better.

Dave Phillips is one of our ‘7 Minute Mentors’ at our AMG speed mentoring event in Melbourne on May 17.