Ahead of our AMG ‘7 Minute Mentor’ speed learning session in Melbourne on May 17, Clemenger BBDO Melbourne managing director Paul McMillan shares his motivations for getting into advertising and what you need to stay at the top of your game.
TCC: Why advertising as a career?
PM: Given the amount of shit advertising I saw, I figured I couldn’t do any worse.
TCC: If you hadn’t pursued this as a career, what else would you have done?
PM: I always wanted to be a landscape gardener, but I get hayfever, so…
TCC: Name three skills or qualities you think you need to stay at the top of your game ?
PM: Think four plays in front. Get a core circle of trust. Read constantly.
TCC: What’s the best part of your job?
PM: The electricity I get from hearing an idea for the first time.
TCC: What’s the worst part of your job?
PM: I don’t have a bad part of my job.
TCC: What’s your most embarrassing career moment?
PM: When I first started, my managing director didn’t know my name in a new business pitch.
TCC: What’s your career high?
PM: Being made the 6 th ever Managing Director of Clemenger BBDO Melbourne.
TCC: What do you look for in a team member?
PM: Resilience, Creativity, passion for the art.
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?
PM: Bide your time, and try to be the best in the world in the job you are in.
Paul McMillan is one of our ‘7 Minute Mentors’ at our AMG speed mentoring event in Melbourne on May 17.