JACOB, IAIN
Job: Chief executive, EMEA.
Company: Starcom MediaVest Group, 89 Whitfield Street, London W1T 4HQ.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7190 8008.
Born: 1962.
Career highlights: Working with the best people in the industry, which I have been fortunate enough to do at BMP, Bartle Bogle Hegarty, Motive and SMG.
Why are you good at what you do?: I work hard at it.
Greatest influence: My wife.
Fantasy business partner: I don't fantasise about business partners.
Biggest risk taken: Downhill mountain biking.
Best job outside advertising: Publicity officer for Harrogate Arts Festival.
Favourite media: Too many to list.
Favourite gadget: My bike.
Clubs: Solus, MySpace.
Most-admired politician: Undisclosed.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: I garden.
Perfect day: Having a good idea.
Fictional hero: The Terminator.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: I wouldn't impose that on anyone.
Hidden talent: My good temper.
Most expensive purchase: Airline tickets (for my job).
Desert island objects: Family, music, bike.
Lowdown: Jacob has thrown himself enthusiastically into the extremely challenging task of building the Starcom MediaVest network in one of its weakest regions. Maintaining his good humour in the face of adversity, Jacob has made some strides in building a central team around him, and he has also enjoyed some new business success (landing GlaxoSmithKline in Central and Eastern Europe).
JACOB, KATHRYN
Job: Chief executive.
Company: Pearl & Dean, 3, Waterhouse Square, 138-142 Holborn, London EC1.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7882 1000.
Born: 29 March.
Career highlights: Getting a job in media since I'm bad at maths. Working at The Daily Telegraph during seismic changes in newspapers. Weekly magazines at IPC taught me to think broadly. Virgin Radio for gigs, music, laughter, court cases, work as a rollercoaster, and the importance of ideas and bravery. Pearl & Dean for reinventing an icon, people singing your sonic logo, watching films for a living, popcorn, and a really fantastic bunch of people, whom I look forward to seeing on Monday morning (and the rest of the week).
Why are you good at what you do?: Optimism, determination and surrounding myself with talented people.
Greatest influence: My family (and Jessie, my assistant, who has the highest standards of anyone I've ever known).
Fantasy business partner: George Clooney, in a strictly cinematic sense, an ideal person to work with.
Biggest risk taken: Giving evidence in the High Court. I have never been so scared in my life.
Best job outside advertising: Epsom Swimming Baths during the summer holidays when I was at university.
Favourite media: Depends on the day of the week for newspapers, The Week, Virgin, AdamBowie.com .
Favourite gadget: iPod.
Clubs: Wacl.
Most-admired politician: William Wilberforce, for going against received opinion, taking risks and fighting for many years to achieve his aim. Currently, Aung San Suu Kyi.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: By taking the orthern line every day to work. Recycling. Using green taxis.
Perfect day: One when I achieve something that makes a difference. However small. If it involves shopping, film, eating, wine, or any of my other hobbies, then all the better.
Fictional hero: Atticus Finch.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: In my dreams Selma Hayek. In reality, a very bad Davina McCall lookalike (dark hair, dark eyes, loves to chat).
Hidden talent: Now that would be telling.
Most expensive purchase: I can't say, my husband reads this.
Desert island objects: I'll just take one - Ray Mears.
Lowdown: Jacob's bubbly, enthusiastic approach has been instrumental in helping Pearl & Dean to punch above its weight in the cinema sales market. She's moved it towards offering greater numbers of creative solutions, and is fielding dozens of calls about commercial opportunities around the upcoming Sex and the City film.
JAMESON, LUCY
Job: Executive strategy director.
Company: DDB London, 12 Bishop's Bridge Road, London W2 6AA.
Work tel: Undisclosed.
Born: At elevenses.
Career highlights: Joining DDB (then BMP) as a graduate.
Why are you good at what you do?: I like what I do.
Greatest influence: Reading.
Fantasy business partner: Undisclosed.
Biggest risk taken: Staying at DDB.
Best job outside advertising: Hand-painting T-shirts of Oxford gargoyles for tourists.
Favourite media: Financial Times, The New Yorker, The West Wing, Radio 4, primelocation.
Favourite gadget: Undisclosed.
Clubs: Undisclosed.
Most-admired politician: Undisclosed.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: I don't own a car.
Perfect day: Undisclosed.
Fictional hero: Undisclosed.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Undisclosed.
Hidden talent: Undisclosed.
Most expensive purchase: Some pictures.
Desert island objects: Undisclosed.
Lowdown: With Matt Dyke off to make his fortune, Jameson's presence above DDB London's planning department ensures the future is in safe hands. The DDB-diehard joined as a graduate trainee in 1993, and combines a curiosity about the world with a refreshing sense of humility. Seeing how she works with Dan Ng, the agency's new head of planning, who takes the reins from Dyke, having returned from Crispin Porter & Bogusky this year, should be interesting.
JAUME, LEON
Job: Executive creative director.
Company: WCRS, 5 Golden Square, W1F 9BS.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7806 5000.
Born: London.
Career highlights: Spending three days in Sussex with Ian Botham judging a Pub of the Month competition; now, at WCRS (honestly).
Why are you good at what you do?: Necessity. I'd be useless at anything else.
Greatest influence: David Gower.
Fantasy business partner: Roger Federer in a touring doubles partnership.
Biggest risk taken: Putting ú500 on Desert Orchid to win the 1989 Gold Cup in atrocious going - still can't believe he did it.
Best job outside advertising: Being the body on which a cardiac scanner was demonstrated at a medical exhibition.
Favourite media: The Guardian, The Observer Food Monthly, The Simpsons, Radio 4, YouTube.
Favourite gadget: Sky+.
Clubs: Groucho, Soho House.
Most-admired politician: Ken Livingstone. He's truthful.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Stick to locally sourced beer.
Perfect day: Long lunch, languid sex and beating the Australians at cricket or rugby (maybe both, since it's my perfect day).
Fictional hero: Captain Haddock.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: (According to Rooney Carruthers) John Le Mesurier.
Hidden talent: Damn. I haven't got one.
Most expensive purchase: Probably something my girlfriend is buying for our 17-month-old son right now.
Desert island objects: A photograph of Katie, Louis and Lana; an oyster knife; the Fullers brewery.
Lowdown: Continues to bring the best out of his creative teams to consistently deliver top-class creative across a range of clients. Jaume has made the executive creative role his own at WCRS, and is easily one of the best in the business.
JEANS, ROY
Job: Chief executive.
Company: IPG Outdoor, 7th Floor, Lynton House, 7-12 Tavistock Square, London WC1H.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 3059 0400.
Born: 22 September 1956.
Career highlights: General manager, Zenith; managing director, Amra; managing director, Initiative; managing director, Magna; chief executive, IPG Outdoor.
Why are you good at what you do?: Focused, friendly and fortunate.
Greatest influence: My parents, wife and children.
Fantasy business partner: Archimandrite Luseferous.
Biggest risk taken: Going to live in the US alone at 21.
Best job outside advertising: Teaching English Literature at USC.
Favourite media: The Daily Telegraph, Monocle; Frasier, Planet Rock, Univillage.
Favourite gadget: Ventolin inhaler.
Clubs: Esporta, Everton FC.
Most-admired politician: Winston Churchill. The single most important Englishman in our history.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: With difficulty.
Perfect day: Lerici with family.
Fictional hero: Dave Robicheaux.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Norman Wisdom.
Hidden talent: Swam for England, Subbuteo, table tennis for Surrey.
Most expensive purchase: Children's education.
Desert island objects: Library, a life-long supply of Maltesers, flippers.
Lowdown: Jeans is one of the slickest negotiators in the marketplace, as perhaps you would expect from someone who's seen so much high-level action on both sides of the buying/selling fence. But he certainly has his work cut out at IPM, which is third in the outdoor buying business by a long way. Jeans is an ardent member of the industry's small but perfectly-formed Everton mafia.
JONES, ANDY
Job: Chief executive.
Company: Universal McCann, 42-47 St Johns Square, London EC1M 4EA.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7833 5858.
Born: 1962.
Career highlights: 1983 to 1985, ITV; 1986 to 1995, McCann Erickson; 1995 to 2007, Universal McCann.
Why are you good at what you do?: No idea.
Greatest influence: Fear of failure.
Fantasy business partner: Tony Wilson RIP.
Biggest risk taken: Attempting to avoid an altercation on the A316, April 2007.
Best job outside advertising: Sunday paper round, 1977 - easy money.
Favourite media: The Daily Telegraph, Mojo, The Sopranos, Radio Five Live, liverpoolfc.tv.
Favourite gadget: iPod.
Clubs: Liverpool FC Supporters Club.
Most-admired politician: Although he is ostensibly a scientist, Richard Dawkins.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: I am a passionate advocate of recycling.
Perfect day: Tomorrow.
Fictional hero: Holden Caulfield.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Marlon Brando.
Hidden talent: Modesty.
Most expensive purchase: A house.
Desert island objects: Not sure that they're objects, but my wife and children.
Lowdown: It's been a difficult year for Jones following a serious motorcycle accident that led to multiple injuries, several operations and months away from work. He is now back at the helm and intent on giving his agency the focus it needs.
JONES, DAVID
Job: Global chief executive officer.
Company: Euro RSCG Worldwide, 350 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014.
Work tel: +1 212 886 4389.
Born: 9 November.
Career highlights: 1989 to 1991 BDH, account manager; 1991 to 1993, JWT Paris, European account director; 1994 Lowe Europe, European account director; 1994 to 1998 Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO, board account director; 1998 to 2002 Euro RSCG Partnership Sydney, chief executive officer; 2002 to 2004 Euro RSCG Worldwide, president global brands; 2004 to 2005 Euro RSCG New York, chief executive officer; 2005 to current, Euro RSCG Worldwide, global chief executive officer.
Why are you good at what you do?: I'm a team player and know how to build successful winning teams.
Greatest influence: Currently, Vincent Bollore.
Fantasy business partner: Steve Jobs. A fantastic example of the difference brilliant creativity and one individual can make to a company.
Biggest risk taken: Calling agencies and pretending to be the marketing director of Coca-Cola in order to get my first job in the industry.
Best job outside advertising: Tennis coach.
Favourite media: Financial Times, The Economist, Vanity Fair, Dora the Explorer is probably what I watch most often, Franklin the Turtle comes a close second. When not accompanied by my children, then pretty much any sport that is going, Google.
Favourite gadget: The little cable that connects my iPod to any hotel hi-fi system.
Clubs: Le Bois Plage tennis club, White City Tennis Club Sydney, Soho House, asmallworld, and many trade organisations such as: IPA, AACC, AAAA, DMA, IAA, Ad Council, and the Advertising Club of NY.
Most-admired politician: Anyone capable of telling the truth and standing for what they believe in, so that rules most of them out.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: We've invested in a gold-standard wind power generation project in New Zealand.
Perfect day: Any day spent at our house on Ile de Re with my wife and children.
Fictional hero: Jeremy Miles.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Jack Nicholson.
Hidden talent: Creating a table out of four human beings.
Most expensive purchase: Wine.
Desert island objects: Laptop with satellite broadband access, a boat, my family (or if I'm not allowed to take them, then a "How to learn Mandarin" CD).
Lowdown: The young and hugely talented Euro RSCG chief executive might polarise opinion, but he never fails to impress. Divides his time between New York and Ile de Re on the French Atlantic coast. Probably racks up more air miles than the rest of his agency put together.
JONES, DYLAN
Job: Editor of GQ and editor-in-chief of GQ Style.
Company: Conde Nast, Vogue House, Hanover Square, London W1S 1JU.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7499 9080.
Born: 18 January 1960.
Career highlights: Eight years at GQ.
Why are you good at what you do?: A short attention span.
Greatest influence: Tom Wolfe.
Fantasy business partner: Philip Green.
Biggest risk taken: Putting David Cameron on the cover.
Best job outside advertising: Photographer.
Favourite media: The New Yorker.
Favourite gadget: My iPod.
Clubs: The Chelsea Arts Club, The Groucho Club, Soho House.
Most-admired politician: Alan Clark was always my favourite, principally for his innate sense of survival.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: By walking to work.
Perfect day: A long one, followed by a long night.
Fictional hero: Yossarian.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Piers Morgan.
Hidden talent: Can BlackBerry with my eyes closed.
Most expensive purchase: The other house.
Desert island objects: A PowerBook, my iPod, Heidi Klum.
Lowdown: Jones has an unrivalled grasp of male reading habits, turning in good performances across all ABC results this year. It will be fascinating to see how he copes with rival title Esquire, which underwent a radical redesign under Jeremy Langmead, its new editor. Both are magazine lovers, commercially savvy and chasing similar readers. Game on.
JONES, GWYN
Job: Chief executive.
Company: Bartle Bogle Hegarty New York, 32 Avenue of the Americas, 19th Floor, New York, 10013.
Work tel: +1 212 812 6600.
Born: July 1966.
Career highlights: BBH lifer.
Why are you good at what you do?: Stay in one place for 20 years. You'll work it out eventually.
Greatest influence: Undisclosed.
Fantasy business partner: Undisclosed.
Biggest risk taken: The US.
Best job outside advertising: Entertainment for college ball.
Favourite media: Financial Times, The Week (UK version), Entourage, WCBS 880 Home of the NewYorkYankees, bbc.co.uk.
Favourite gadget: My fridge.
Clubs: Soho House NY. NY branch of the Liverpool FC Supporters Club.
Most-admired politician: Michael Bloomberg. Probably because he isn't really a politician.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Not well enough.
Perfect day: Undisclosed.
Fictional hero: Undisclosed.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Undisclosed.
Hidden talent: I am really very good at packing suitcases.
Most expensive purchase: Holidays.
Desert island objects: Undisclosed.
Lowdown: Will start 2008 back in Blighty after moving back from his role strengthening the fledgling network's New York Office. It's currently unclear where the BBH lifer will sit within the senior management team, but whispers that he is in line to replace Nigel Bogle may upset certain other BBHers.
JONES, LOUISE
Job: Chief strategy officer.
Company: PHD, The Telephone Exchange, 5 North Crescent, Chenies Street, London WC1E 7PH.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7446 9809.
Born: 3 July 1964.
Career highlights: Media Audits; Still Price Lintas; Michaelides & Bednash; PHD.
Why are you good at what you do?: Maybe because I think I'm not.
Greatest influence: George Michaelides has been my biggest career influence to date. I am influenced generally by the clever people I meet.
Fantasy business partner: I think Oprah Winfrey would be amazing to work with.
Biggest risk taken: Buying a house that I couldn't afford.
Best job outside advertising: A cocktail waitress in a bar on Sunset Beach, LA.
Favourite media: The Observer, Conde Nast Traveller, EastEnders, Magic, wikipedia.
Favourite gadget: I'm hopeless with gadgets.
Clubs: None.
Most-admired politician: Tony Benn. An amazing brain, and still sexy in his eighties.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Badly. Although I do have a milkman and I recycle the bottles.
Perfect day: Having fun with my husband and children.
Fictional hero: Nanny McPhee. I wish my children would behave like that for me.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Someone short and feisty.
Hidden talent: I make a fantastic shepherd's pie.
Most expensive purchase: Our annual travel budget.
Desert island objects: A great book, chocolate, and a luxurious goose down pillow.
Lowdown: Following the departure of her planning colleague Mark Holden, even more of an onus was placed on Jones' talents to drive forward PHD's strategy offering. Its Etna planning offering seems to be winning over clients.
JONES, MARTIN
Job: Director of advertising.
Company: AAR, 26 Market Place, London W1W 8AN.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7612 1200.
Born: 29 July 1958.
Career highlights: Getting a job at JWT in the first place; becoming new business director there, and being part of a great team. Joining AAR and becoming part of another great team.
Why are you good at what you do?: Never believing I am any good at what I do.
Greatest influence: My father.
Fantasy business partner: Julie Flexen, the managing director of Munro & Forster.
Biggest risk taken: Buying AAR.
Best job outside advertising: Picking fruit on a kibbutz in my gap year. I started work at 7am and I was then finished by 10am.
Favourite media: The Daily Telegraph, Q, The West Wing, Virgin Radio, www.seagulls.co.uk.
Favourite gadget: iPod.
Clubs: Brighton & Hove Albion Supporters Club.
Most-admired politician: Nelson Mandela, for obvious reasons.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: By trying really hard to think about the effect I am having on the future of the planet, but not doing as much as I should.
Perfect day: Any day when Brighton beat somebody.
Fictional hero: Leo McGarry from The West Wing.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Tintin.
Hidden talent: I can converse with animals.
Most expensive purchase: Wedding.
Desert island objects: Photo of Jules and Jack, iPod (with wind-up charger), prescription sunglasses.
Lowdown: He's one of adland's most important figures, but doesn't let the power go to his head. It's been a busy year for the AAR, something its rivals will be all too aware of.
JONES, NEIL
Job: Managing director.
Company: Carat, Parker Tower, 43-49 Parker Street, London WC2B 5PS.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7430 6235.
Born: 26 July 1964.
Career highlights: Getting my first job in advertising at Saatchi & Saatchi in its heyday, being at Zenith when it was set up, being the youngest board director at (TMD) Carat, then becoming the managing director of Carat, being named Campaign and MediaWeek Media Agency of the Year in 2007.
Why are you good at what you do?: A hunger and passion to constantly improve, and I always listen to what my clients and people want.
Greatest influence: The fear of failure.
Fantasy business partner: Rupert Murdoch.
Biggest risk taken: Taking out a ludicrously big mortgage about five years ago (it still seems big now).
Best job outside advertising: A summer spent working in a bar in Lindos on the Greek island of Rhodes after finishing university.
Favourite media: The Sunday Times, The Week, ER, Radio Five Live, lufc.co.uk.
Favourite gadget: BlackBerry.
Clubs: Dulwich Golf Club, Solus, lufc supporters club.
Most-admired politician: Nelson Mandela, for what he achieved in the face of such adversity.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Walk a lot, turn off lots of plugs at night.
Perfect day: On holiday with the family by a pool in the south of France.
Fictional hero: Bart Simpson.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Danny DeVito.
Hidden talent: I can do a very good Brummie accent after consuming large quantities of alcohol.
Most expensive purchase: Jewellery for my wife.
Desert island objects: BlackBerry, iPod and a hammock.
Lowdown: Jones has led his agency through an interesting time - continuing to oversee an ambitious restructure and being frenetically busy on the new business front. He's kept his good humour throughout it all, but remains increasingly inseparable from his BlackBerry.
JONES, NIGEL
Job: President, Draft FCB UK.
Company: Draft FCB, 80 Victoria Street, London SW1E 5JL.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 3048 0092.
Born: 23 September 1960.
Career highlights: Head of planning, BMP DDB, 1990 to 98; founding partner, Jones Mason Barton Antenen, 1999 to 2001; chief executive, Claydon Heeley Jones Mason, 2001 to 2006; chief executive, FCB, 2006 to 2007; president, Draft FCB, 2007 to present.
Why are you good at what you do?: Persistent.
Greatest influence: My mother.
Fantasy business partner: Undisclosed.
Biggest risk taken: ú50 per minute that the aggregate minutes of all goals scored in the Premiership on a certain Saturday in 2005 would exceed 1,116.
Best job outside advertising: West Midlands sales rep for The Residents. I did it for art rather than money.
Favourite media: Uncut, The Sopranos, Radio 4, hihowareyou.com.
Favourite gadget: My Yamaha CD player with hard drive storage.
Clubs: None, although I have a Wolves season ticket.
Most-admired politician: Winston Churchill,
for his determination and individuality.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: I planted a 480-tree plantation in 1995 because I like trees. Can I be excused now?
Perfect day: Hiking in the Alps to a mountain-top restaurant on a brilliantly sunny day.
Fictional hero: Steven Maturin.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Paul Bettany.
Hidden talent: Undisclosed.
Most expensive purchase: 5,000 CDs.
Desert island objects: Lifetime supply of Lipsyl, lifetime supply of Omeprazole and my Yamaha CD player.
Lowdown: Few were surprised when John Minnec evaporated last year, leaving Jones as the sole UK president of DraftFCB. The former chess champion is more comfortable with numbers than a Pentium processor, making him ideal for DraftFCB's quantitative aspirations, whichever side of the line he's working on. A true gentleman of adland, Jones has spent the year building a strong team around him. Now he'll need to pull in some big business.
K
KEAN, JACQUI
Job: Brand marketing director.
Company: The Economist, 25 St James's Street, London SW1A 1HG.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7830 7121.
Born: Sunday at 2.00am.
Career highlights: Co-authored Silver IPA Award for The Economist; Nelson Mandela TV ad with Mac Maharaj voiceover; Campaign Medium of the Year 2006; most recent The Economist advertising campaign.
Why are you good at what you do?: Because I care.
Greatest influence: My Dad, and the Scottish work ethic.
Fantasy business partner: Gordon Ramsay.
Biggest risk taken: Skiing through a total white-out. No choice.
Best job outside advertising: Au pair to a lovely family in the South of France.
Favourite media: The Economist; Intelligent Life, Radio 4, stumbleupon.com.
Favourite gadget: Le Creuset Screwpull.
Clubs: Guest of several, member of none.
Most-admired politician: Robin Cook for sticking to his principles on Iraq.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: I prefer to minimise it.
Perfect day: Sunday.
Fictional hero: Inspector Morse.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Diana Quick.
Hidden talent: Football punditry.
Most expensive purchase: New kitchen.
Desert island objects: Continuous supply of hot water, my favourite pillow and a virtual library.
Lowdown: Described as "a breath of fresh air"
when she arrived at The Economist from the BBC, Kean is acclaimed for her high professionalism and her determination to get the maximum mileage from The Economist's advertising heritage. Rumour has it that Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO, the agency that created it, once attempted to poach her.
KEENAN, PAUL
Job: Chief executive.
Company: Emap Consumer Media, 189 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7859 8618.
Born: Early in the morning.
Career highlights: Launching new things and reinventing older things.
Why are you good at what you do?: Because I work with extremely talented and passionate people.
Greatest influence: Those who have encouraged us to be creative, contrary and disruptive.
Fantasy business partner: Steve Jobs.
Biggest risk taken: Launching Grazia in the UK.
Best job outside advertising: Editing.
Favourite media: The Sun and the Corriere Della Sera and Curb Your Enthusiasm. On mags and radio I plead the Fifth. Emap does too much good stuff to chose.
Favourite gadget: The iPod still makes me smile.
Clubs: Soho House, The Hospital.
Most-admired politician: Undisclosed.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Undisclosed.
Perfect day: Lunch in Martina Franca is still hard to beat.
Fictional hero: Jackie Brown.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Undisclosed.
Hidden talent: Undisclosed.
Most expensive purchase: Undisclosed.
Desert island objects: The complete works of Elmore Leonard; London Calling by The Clash, a top-of-the-range radio.
Lowdown: It's been a tricky year for Keenan, who has continued to run Emap's consumer operations, despite the prospect of a break-up of the business. He presided over a restructure of the business, designed to prepare it for the future, but it looks as though its radio and magazine businesses will go their separate ways.
KENNETT, MIRANDA
Job: Executive coach.
Company: First Class Coach, 30 Nightingale Lane, London SW12 8TD.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7628 2557.
Born: When the air was clean and the sex was dirty.
Career highlights: Publishing, advertising (first female account handler at DDB), director of training and development at the IPA, launched Baby Ideal Home, the first-ever exhibition for babies and their parents; executive coach since 1992, working with top-level people - many in our industry - to help them be happier and more succesful.
Why are you good at what you do?: I've learned to listen.
Greatest influence: Kate Springford, an inspiring coach and individual, now in her seventies, but still providing life-changing experiences for creative directors, as well as normal mortals.
Fantasy business partner: Richard Curtis, the screenwriter. I want him to write the screenplay for my movie.
Biggest risk taken: Getting married again last year, to Douglas McArthur. So far, it's a risk that's paid off.
Best job outside advertising: Gaining sponsors for a book on Scotch whisky. I had to buy a bigger briefcase to hold all the bottles I was given.
Favourite media: Var Matin (the local paper for my part of Provence) Psychologies, Shark, Radio 4, bbc.com.
Favourite gadget: My breadmaker. I have two, one in France, because it is possible to get fed up with baguettes.
Clubs: Wacl and SKP-SC (the Stop Knocking Pear-Shape Collective).
Most-admired politician: Gordon Brown. We were at university together, and I know he is a man of principle.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: By restricting flights to Provence to once a month.
Perfect day: A coaching session with an energetic, challenging client, a healthy lunch, some painting in the afternoon, cooking and eating a great dinner with friends in the evening, with a few glasses of good red wine.
Fictional hero: Dennis the Menace.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Sienna Miller. They'd only need to change her hair and eye colour, her body shape and her voice.
Hidden talent: Writing -columnist for Management Today, have a film script going the rounds and just had my first book accepted by a leading literary agent. Also painting. I'm hoping to have my first exhibition later this year.
Most expensive purchase: A photograph of Frank Zappa at The Barbican for my huband.
Desert island objects: A sharp knife, loads of art materials and a comfy mattress.
Lowdown: The IPA's one-time training director has built up a formidable reputation as a management coach over the past 17 years. She believes many businesspeople achieve less than they're capable of, and that they don't achieve the levels of job satisfaction they could.
KERSHAW, DAVID
Job: Chief executive.
Company: M&C Saatchi, 36 Golden Square, London W1F 9EE.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7543 4500.
Born: London.
Career highlights: Joined Wasey's in 1977; joined Saatchi & Saatchi in 1982; joined M&C Saatchi in 1995.
Why are you good at what you do?: Slipstreaming Moray.
Greatest influence: Billmauricejeremy.
Fantasy business partner: David Dein.
Biggest risk taken: White-water canoeing in Canada with Mrs Kershaw.
Best job outside advertising: As a student, working in a typing pool comprising of 20 women and myself.
Favourite media: The Sunday Times, The Spectator, The Sopranos, Radio 4, http://www.newsnow.co.uk/newsfeed/?name=Arsenal&x=4&y=6.
Favourite gadget: Nespresso machine.
Clubs: Blake's 7, 30 Club, Solus, Coombe Hill, Golf Club, Arsenal Travel Club.
Most-admired politician: Margaret Thatcher, for transforming Britain.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: I use a human, not a PowaKaddy.
Perfect day: Breakfast, a golf victory, lunch, Arsenal victory, Wagner at the Royal Opera House (two supper intervals).
Fictional hero: Horace Rumpole.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Richard Griffiths.
Hidden talent: Playing the clarinet.
Most expensive purchase: Mrs Kershaw's eternity ring.
Desert island objects: PC, clarinet and an espresso machine.
Lowdown: As the youngest of the old guard at M&C Saatchi, his importance to the agency may steadily increase as the other founding partners eventually cash in their chips. Kershaw also still has a hand in Dixons, and represents the agency's link to the City. There's definitely plenty of life in the old dog yet.
KERSLAKE, DENNIS
Job: Chairman.
Company: Publicis Dialog, 82 Baker Street, London W1U 6AE.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7830 3811.
Born: 30 June 1957.
Career highlights: Client for three years, own agency for eight years, and Publicis for the past four years.
Why are you good at what you do?: Good radar, and the ability to listen.
Greatest influence: My wife and family.
Fantasy business partner: Bill Gates.
Biggest risk taken: Starting my own business.
Best job outside advertising: Dustman.
Favourite media: Financial Times on Saturday, South Park, Radio Five Live, bbc.co.uk.
Favourite gadget: Pitchmark repairer.
Clubs: Soho House, Gerrards Cross Hockey Club, Beaconsfield Golf Club.
Most-admired politician: None.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Grow my own veg.
Perfect day: Clear blue sky, fresh powder, and no queues on the lifts.
Fictional hero: Just William.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: George Clooney.
Hidden talent: Cooking.
Most expensive purchase: A racehorse for my wife's birthday.
Desert island objects: A ball, suncream (I burn easily), and a radio (to keep up with the sports news).
Lowdown: Let's just hope that Kerslake has a better grip on the Modem Media/Publicis Dialog/Publicis Modem repackaging than the rest of the DM industry, who are still left wondering just what Publicis Dialog stands for now.
KING, DAVID
Job: Executive director.
Company: Telegraph Media Group, 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DT.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7931 3434.
Born: Just a 50s baby.
Career highlights: What other business would you want to work in, if you cannot be a professional sportsman.
Why are you good at what you do?: Utterly focused on delivery and winning.
Greatest influence: My mortgage and a fear of failure.
Fantasy business partner: Ian Botham. What a great guy, and what a blast.
Biggest risk taken: Joining The Daily Telegraph as it was.
Best job outside advertising: Bricklayers apprentice. Great humour, a bit like a TV buying department.
Favourite media: The Daily Telegraph, ER, Jonathan Ross, telegraph.co.uk, YouTube.
Favourite gadget: Mobile phone.
Clubs: Old Berkeley Cricket Club, Century Club.
Most-admired politician: Nelson Mandela.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Recycling.
Perfect day: A game of Sunday afternoon cricket, followed by a pint of bitter at my uncle's village pub.
Fictional hero: The George Best I believed in. The real one is tough to worship.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Christopher Walken. He was strong and haunting in The Deer Hunter.
Hidden talent: My team.
Most expensive purchase: Family holidays.
Desert island objects: Mobile phone, Jake Arnott's trilogy, toothbrush and toothpaste.
Lowdown: These are exciting times for King as he pioneers ways to sell The Daily Telegraph in its new guise as a multiplatform media brand. King blends the best of the old school and the new economy. He is to-the-point and uncompromising when he has to be, but he also appreciates the subtleties that are inherent in the big picture.
KING, STEVE
Job: Worldwide chief executive.
Company: Zenith-Optimedia, Head Quarters, 24 Percy Street, London W1T 2BS.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7961 1032.
Born: 1959.
Career highlights: 1981, HTV, Dorlands, McCormicks; 1986, launch of Zenith UK (various roles), 1994, Zenith USA general manager and chief operating officer; 1997, Zenith chief executive, EMEA; 2002 chief executive, ZenithOptimedia EMEA; 2004 to present ZenithOptimedia, worldwide chief executive.
Why are you good at what you do?: Undisclosed.
Greatest influence: The many smart and driven people I've worked for, including Christine Walker, Derrick Southon, Bill Grimes, John Perriss, Jack Klues and Maurice Levy.
Fantasy business partner: Undisclosed.
Biggest risk taken: Moving myself and family to New York in 1994 to help launch Zenith USA when most doubted such an operation could succeed (they were nearly proved correct).
Best job outside advertising: Postboy at Top Shop.
Favourite media: The Daily Telegraph, Vanity Fair, The Sopranos, Virgin, bbc.com.
Favourite gadget: Sat nav
Clubs: Home House, Upper Thames Sailing Club, Castle Royle, Marlow RFC.
Most-admired politician: Undisclosed.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Having a holiday home in the UK.
Perfect day: Undisclosed.
Fictional hero: Undisclosed.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Undisclosed.
Hidden talent: Undisclosed.
Most expensive purchase: Undisclosed.
Desert island objects: Sailing boat (preferably Hobie 18), toolkit, Drum kit.
Lowdown: ZenithOptimedia's roving leader is building a strong reputation on the international conference circuit. During the inaugural Venice International Media Festival, he left the audience pondering the wisdom of his proposition that "marketing is no longer the chassis of the car, it is now the sunroof". He continues to bang the drum for ROI and business effectiveness in media.
KIRBY, ADAM
Job: Executive director, business development.
Company: Saatchi & Saatchi, 80 Charlotte Street, London W1A 1AQ.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7462 7130.
Born: About seven in the evening.
Career highlights: Not getting found out.
Why are you good at what you do?: Because no-one has found me out.
Greatest influence: Chelsea's results on a Saturday.
Fantasy business partner: Cary Grant.
Biggest risk taken: Giving it all up to go travelling.
Best job outside advertising: Lady fluffer for Scarlett Johansson's one try at hardcore porn.
Favourite media: The Guardian, Viz, Blackadder II, Blackadder the Third, Blackadder Goes Forth, Radio Five Live, bbc.co.uk.
Favourite gadget: Sky+. Nothing else comes close.
Clubs: Chelsea season ticket holder; Tallblokesinadvertising.net.
Most-admired politician: Clement Attlee. The only Labour PM to have made a difference.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Bury my head in the sand, and pretend that'll do the trick.
Perfect day: Wake after nine hours of restful sleep; full English, Chelsea beat Liverpool 5-0, with Carragher sent off for ritual slaughter of a child on the halfway line, quick dive in the Galapagos. Film. Curry. Dreamless sleep of the innocent.
Fictional hero: Owen Meany.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Gregory Peck.
Hidden talent: Good at sarcasm.
Most expensive purchase: Holidays.
Desert island objects: iPod; Sky+, 50-inch plasma screen TV.
Lowdown: Rumours are the former Diageo man was desperate to get the chief executive role at Saatchi & Saatchi after the departure of Lee Daley. Still keeping the new business flag flying, Kirby (who this year made an appearance on Mastermind) will have a tough year despite the presence of Robert Senior (or maybe because of it).
KITCATT, PAUL
Job: Creative partner.
Company: Kitcatt Nohr Alexander Shaw, 48-50 St John's Street, London EC1M 4DG.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7012 3950.
Born: Croydon.
Career highlights: Starting our own agency.
Why are you good at what you do?: Restlessness.
Greatest influence: The weather.
Fantasy business partner: Bill Gates, if he'll give me a 50/50 split on the shares at 1975 prices, and doesn't telephone me for advice. I'll settle for a 49/51 split if he insists.
Biggest risk taken: Undisclosed.
Best job outside advertising: Bookselling.
Favourite media: London Review of Books, New Scientist, Radio 3, Project Gutenberg.
Favourite gadget: Bicycle.
Clubs: None.
Most-admired politician: Themistocles. His persuasive but unconventional interpretation of the Delphic Oracle's utterances led Athens to adopt his naval strategy, which resulted in the defeat of Persia, to our eternal benefit.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Train, cycle, walk.
Perfect day: Saturday.
Fictional hero: Atticus Finch.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Undisclosed.
Hidden talent: Undisclosed.
Most expensive purchase: My piano.
Desert island objects: Pencils, paper and a good astronomical telescope.
Lowdown: The quiet but commanding Kitcatt is much loved by his creative team, who all appreciate his non-invasive approach to managing their output. The former English teacher and avid reader, who once commented that 'poetry was more important than press coverage', has instigated a poetry board at the agency to counterbalance the press cuttings display.
KLEIN, DEBBIE
Job: Chief executive.
Company: WCRS, 5 Golden Square, London W1F 9BS.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7806 5000.
Born: 1968.
Career highlights: AC Nielsen, Saatchi & Saatchi, planner to board planning director; WCRS, board planner, then head of planning, 1999 to 2004, chief executive, 2005 to date.
Why are you good at what you do?: Tell it like it is.
Greatest influence: My parents.
Fantasy business partner: Lynette Scavo, Parcher and Murphy Advertising.
Biggest risk taken: Undisclosed.
Best job outside advertising: Waitressing at Freda's Cafe in Cape Town.
Favourite media: The Observer, The New Yorker, 24, Magic, news.sky.com.
Favourite gadget: Still my juicer.
Clubs: Wacl, MGGB, "If You Can't Differentiate Between 'Your' and 'You're' You Deserve To Die" on Facebook.
Most-admired politician: Nelson Mandela.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Freecycle.com.
Perfect day: Undisclosed.
Fictional hero: Tintin.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Penelope Cruz.
Hidden talent: Poker.
Most expensive purchase: HDTV.
Desert island objects: Lip balm, Montblanc pen and paper, photograph of my family.
Lowdown: The focused, hard-working and very nice Klein has steered WCRS through one of its most successful years, and she's counfounded the cynics by bedding in the mighty Sky account smoothly. The agency has produced a stunning body of work for the broadcaster, which is considered one of adland's trickest clients, and Klein accomplished all of this while pregnant.
KLEINMAN, DANIEL
Job: Commercial director.
Company: Rattling Stick, 39-43 Brewer Street, London W1F 9UD.
Work tel: 020 78512000.
Born: Hampstead, London.
Career highlights: My wife laughing at one of my ads.
Why are you good at what you do?: Perseverance.
Greatest influence: Art.
Fantasy business partner: Stanley Kubrick.
Biggest risk taken: Mixing the grape and the grain - it wasn't worth it.
Best job outside advertising: Pop star.
Favourite media: The Independent, The Kitchen Garden, University Challenge, Radio 4, forteantimes.com.
Favourite gadget: Wall-mounted corkscrew.
Clubs: Century, Cobden.
Most-admired politician: Napoleon. He was short but big.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Plant trees, grow my own food.
Perfect day: Art, music, garden, wine, wife, dogs, cheque arrives.
Fictional hero: Edmond Dantes.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Danny DeVito.
Hidden talent: Diplomacy.
Most expensive purchase: A ring I bought my wife... don't ask.
Desert island objects: A grape vine, a comfortable bed, ibuprofen.
Lowdown: Kleinman is that rare beast, the commercials director who doesn't appear to yearn for a feature script. Although he did continue his relationship with the James Bond franchise last year - he directed the title sequence to Casino Royale, along with a string of acclaimed ads.
KLUES, JACK
Job: Chairman and chief executive.
Company: Publicis Groupe Media, 35 W Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60601.
Work tel: +1 312 220 4756.
Born: 12 August 1954.
Career highlights: I run two of the most powerful media services networks in the world - Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) and ZenithOptimedia (ZO) - and am also a member of Publicis Groupe Directoire, the elite governing body that guides my organisation's parent company, Publicis Groupe S.A. I was recognized as "Illini of the Year" by the University of Illinois Alumni Association and was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Quincy University in my hometown of Quincy, Illinois.
Why are you good at what you do?: A connector and builder. I can assess a problem or opportunity to quickly see the elements required for the solution.
Greatest influence: Always, my father.
Fantasy business partner: Rich Melman of Lettuce Entertain You. I like food and smart marketing, and he has both.
Biggest risk taken: Undisclosed.
Best job outside advertising: I started my career here, but the best work I do outside of advertising is raise money for Off the Street Club. The integrity and strength of those children humble me.
Favourite media: USA Today (a US-based air traveller's must-read).
Favourite gadget: Mobile phone, always connected.
Clubs: Chicago Illini Alumni Association.
Most-admired politician: Abraham Lincoln, because he mastered the art of learning from failure.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: I make sure my lawn and plants at home stay alive.
Perfect day: Any day that starts on the golf course.
Fictional hero: Don Quixote.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Nicolas Cage, my favourite actor because of his versatility.
Hidden talent: Napa wine enthusiast.
Most expensive purchase: A golf cart for my wife's 50th birthday.
Desert island objects: Assuming that "objects" means my wife is out, I would want my golf clubs, plenty of crisps and beer.
Lowdown: One of the most respected of the media heavyweights, Klues continues to lead Publicis' attempts to create greater links between its Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia networks. It hasn't been an easy task in some markets, though.
KNOX, TOM
Job: Deputy chairman.
Company: Delaney Lund Knox Warren & Partners, 25 Wellington Street, London WC2E 7DA.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7438 4049.
Born: Queen Charlotte's Hospital, London.
Career highlights: Singing Who gives you extra? to the HBOS chief executive.
Why are you good at what you do?: Desperate to be liked.
Greatest influence: My dad.
Fantasy business partner: Warren Buffett.
Biggest risk taken: Starting DLKW & Partners.
Best job outside advertising: Shop boy at Paul Smith.
Favourite media: The Observer, The Week, Frasier, Radio 4, bbc.co.uk.
Favourite gadget: Meridian F80 CD radio.
Clubs: Soho House, 0%ers.
Most-admired politician: Bill Clinton. "It's the economy, stupid."
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Er, not my strong suit.
Perfect day: Early autumn walk in the park, watch Spurs thrash Arsenal, long supper with friends.
Fictional hero: Montgomery Burns.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Mark Strong (for tonsorial reasons).
Hidden talent: I can cook a bit.
Most expensive purchase: A painting by Stephen Conroy.
Desert island objects: My bed, iPod, a limitless supply of distress flares.
Lowdown: The evangelical Spurs fan is also one of advertising's most down-to-earth chaps. Knox can breathe a sigh of relief with the string of new business in the latter-half of 2007. But all eyes will be on how DLKW performs next year.
KUROPATWA, ALEX
Job: Joint managing director.
Company: Delaney Lund Knox Warren & Partners, 25 Wellington Street, London WC2E 7DA.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7438 4057.
Born: 1 November 1970.
Career highlights: Graduate at Delaney Fletcher Bozell, HBS, short sojourn in South Africa, DLKW & Partners.
Why are you good at what you do?: Perseverance.
Greatest influence: Recently, regrettably, a book called The Millionaire Next Door.
Fantasy business partner: Someone with a good idea.
Biggest risk taken: Lately, a squad of Polish builders.
Best job outside advertising: Diamond mine foreman.
Favourite media: The Times, 24, Radio 4, screwfix.com.
Favourite gadget: BlackBerry (inevitably).
Clubs: Leander.
Most-admired politician: Bill Clinton, for being the ultimate politician.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Walk to work, avoid exotic holidays.
Perfect day: Enjoyed 7 May.
Fictional hero: Jack Bauer.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Charlie Snow. Have been a great admirer of his work ever since his first appearance in The Bill.
Hidden talent: Speed doughnut eating.
Most expensive purchase: Wedding, ouch.
Desert island objects: A subscription to The Sunday Times, factor 30 suncream, large hat.
Lowdown: The tall Kuropatwa has become synonymous with DLKW's stranglehold on the Morrison's account. He has recently acquired the nickname "DigitAL" for his sudden burst of interest in the medium. Kuropatwa's soft-spoken manner and humbleness is rarely found among those of his stature. Having tied the knot with a fellow DLKWer this year, Kuropatwa is no longer one of adland's most eligible bachelors.
KYDD, JAMES
Job: Managing director, marketing.
Company: Virgin Media, 120 Campden Hill Road, London W8 7AR.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7909 2045.
Born: 1959.
Career highlights: Launch of Virgin Media and an IPA Effectivness Award for Virgin Mobile.
Why are you good at what you do?: I act like a human being, and not a corporate tosser.
Greatest influence:
The consumer.
Fantasy business partner: Mystic Meg.
Biggest risk taken: Too many contenders, but becoming a father again in my mid-forties probably wins.
Best job outside advertising: Hotel gardener.
Favourite media: The Guardian, The Week, Riches, Radio 1 website and BBC weather.
Favourite gadget: iPod.
Clubs: None.
Most-admired politician: Gordon Brown. A brilliant first 100 or so days.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Low-energy light bulbs. Walking a lot.
Perfect day: Quiet, peaceful sunny day followed by V Festival evening.
Fictional hero: Batman.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: An actor.
Hidden talent: Prince Charles impression.
Most expensive purchase: A photographic print called 3mph.
Desert island objects: The dance tent from the V Festival, a case of Brunello, a black labrador.
Lowdown: The affable, laidback Kydd has been through the most intense 12 months of his whole career. Previously the marketing director of Virgin Mobile, he took over responsibility for the whole Virgin Media entity following its merger with ntl, and found himself in the frontline as Virgin began duking it out with BSkyB.
KYFFIN, DAVID
Job: Managing director, direct and digital.
Company: Group M, 124 Theobalds Road, London WC1X 8RX.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7158 5011.
Born: 1956.
Career highlights: Building MediaCom Direct into a leading direct media agency.
Why are you good at what you do?: I single-mindedly concentrate on improving clients' campaign results.
Greatest influence: Stephen Allan.
Fantasy business partner: Drayton Byrd.
Biggest risk taken: Borrowing ú2 million to set up Adlink.
Best job outside advertising: Teaching waterskiing in Crete.
Favourite media: The Sunday Times, Private Eye, Frasier, LBC, primelocation.
Favourite gadget: BlackBerry.
Clubs: Home House, The Winchester House, Entertainers RFC.
Most-admired politician: None, since they seem to have lost all convictions.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: I tend to surf in Devon rather than Hawaii.
Perfect day: A crisp winter day walking-up grouse with friends.
Fictional hero: Odysseus.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Someone who is desperate for the money.
Hidden talent: Not letting it get to you.
Most expensive purchase: Holiday home in Salcombe.
Desert island objects: A fishing rod, a radio, writing paper.
Lowdown: A fan of fine wines and shooting game, Kyffin's media skills lie somewhere near the cutting edge of digital and direct media. Since moving from MediaCom to Group M, he's helped to build strong offerings at all three Group M agencies.
L
LAMBERT, GUY
Job: Managing director.
Company: Ogilvy Advertising, 10 Cabot Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 4QB.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7566 7029.
Born: 14 November 1965.
Career highlights: Joined Ogilvy & Mather Direct in 1988 the same time as Rory Sutherland. Spent a year in Ogilvy Asia, four years in O&M London and Euro RSCG, three years in Ogilvy Asia, seven years in OgilvyOne, and one year in Ogilvy Advertising.
Why are you good at what you do?: You should ask my team, but I think I give them clear direction.
Greatest influence: No-one or nothing in particular, but being the youngest of three boys doesn't half make you competitive.
Fantasy business partner: Undisclosed.
Biggest risk taken: Commiting myself to a huge mortgage I couldn't afford in the middle of the property crash in the late 80s and early 90s, at a time when people were losing their homes and 30 per cent of jobs in advertising were cut. I bought a flat in Fulham. The finance director of Ogilvy at the time said I was stupid and irresponsible and refused to be a reference on my mortgage application. The market turned six months later and I made about ú35,000, which was twice my salary at the time.
Best job outside advertising: Van driver, white to boot.
Favourite media: The Sunday Times, Coast, Top Gear, Johnny Vaughan on Capital.
Favourite gadget: iPod.
Clubs: The Hospital and The WhitstableYacht Club.
Most-admired politician: Winston Churchill.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Reducing one's carbon footprint is down to a mixture of small, individual decisions and grand strategic gestures.
For example, WPP has off-set its carbon footprint for the next three years through various global initiatives and schemes. As the managing director of Ogilvy Advertising, I am working with my team to ensure we meet our target of reducing our carbon footprint by 20 per cent over the next year. And of course, I always switch my computer off when I go home at night.
Perfect day: Sun shining, run on the beach, no issues at work, win some new business in the afternoon. Go home early and go for a bike ride on the beach with my daughter. Stop at the beach bar for real ale. Go home and cook barbecue with friends. Don't look at BlackBerry and go to bed.
Fictional hero: 007.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Peter Sellers. At least it might be funny that way.
Hidden talent: I used to be a very good hurdler and a waterskiier. Do they count?
Most expensive purchase: My wife's engagement ring.
Desert island objects: iPod, boat, PC with wireless broadband connection.
Lowdown: The business-like Lambert seemed an odd choice for the role of managing director at Ogilvy because of his history in DM. But it seems to have brought the ad agency and Ogilvy One closer together.
LAWES, JASON
Job: Art director.
Company: The Red Brick Road, 50-54 Beak Street, London W1F 9RN.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7575 7654.
Born: 1 May 1970.
Career highlights: Founding The Red Brick Road.
Why are you good at what you do?: I try harder because of my inferiority complex.
Greatest influence: Fear of letting people down.
Fantasy business partner: David Hockney or Sir Alex Ferguson.
Biggest risk taken: I'm not one of life's gamblers.
Best job outside advertising: Non-league footballer.
Favourite media: The Times, Golf Punk, Life on Mars, Radio Five Live, eBay.
Favourite gadget: Sit-on lawnmower.
Clubs: Bedfont Sunday FC and The Groucho Club.
Most-admired politician: George Galloway, for his Vanilla Ice-style rap on talkSPORT.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Turn the light off before sex.
Perfect day: Fishing.
Fictional hero: Homer Simpson.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Jamie Bell.
Hidden talent: Patience.
Most expensive purchase: School fees, four times over.
Desert island objects: A football, fishing rod, fags.
Lowdown: With his creative partner Sam Cartmell, Lawes still owns one half of Tesco's creative rubberstamp with Paul Weinberger. The account's steady outpouring of work has left a warm glow, although it is yet to show the creative firecrackers of their days at Lowe.
LAWSON, NICK
Job: Chief executive.
Company: MediaCom, 124 Theobalds Road,
London WC1X 8RX .
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7158 5518.
Born: 02 April 1965.
Career highlights: Becoming chief executive in 2006.
Why are you good at what you do?: I'm passionate about MediaCom.
Greatest influence: Stephen Allan and Allan Rich.
Fantasy business partner: Piers Morgan.
Biggest risk taken: Taking on the new business role in 1996.
Best job outside advertising: Teaching.
Favourite media: The Guardian, Golfing Today, The Sopranos, Radio Five Live, bbc.com.
Favourite gadget: My iPod.
Clubs: Undisclosed.
Most-admired politician: Neil Kinnock. A great orator, an underrated leader and a human being.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: I walk everywhere in central London.
Perfect day: Any day we win new business!
Fictional hero: Cyrano de Bergerac.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: James Woods.
Hidden talent: I can shoot.
Most expensive purchase: My golf clubs, not that they've helped.
Desert island objects: Bottle of wine, cigarettes and my iPod.
Lowdown: The giant, testosterone-driven but totally dedicated Lawson is the man behind one of media's most successful agencies. He might come across as a bit of a bruiser, but Lawson has steered MediaCom through its transition into GroupM.
LAWSON, PAUL
Job: Group managing director Leo Burnett and Arc.
Company: Leo Burnett London, Warwick Building, Kensington Village, Avonmore Road, London W14 8HQ.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7071 1175.
Born: London.
Career highlights: Started at ABM as a media planner; moved into account management; became an account planner for a bit. Along the way, I passed through GGT and Lowe; wrote a Carling TV ad during my eight years at WCRS; went to London Business School; ran a brand consultancy. Now enjoying Leo Burnett.
Why are you good at what you do?: I always find something to get excited about.
Greatest influence: My grandfather.
Fantasy business partner: My wife, Emma Lawson.
Biggest risk taken: Unequivocally establishing the top speed of my Honda CBR 1000 creamy lux missile.
Best job outside advertising: William Hill trainee manager.
Favourite media: The Guardian, Private Eye, Dexter, Radio 4, wikipedia.
Favourite gadget: A GPS thing that works out your running stats on the move (unfortunately, it's still in its box).
Clubs: The Rex Cinema & Bar Club, The Hoist.
Most-admired politician: Ken Livingstone. I like watching cabbies get really wound up about him.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: First agency head to appoint the extreme eco-consultant The Green Man.
Perfect day: An open-day visit to a fire station with Sam and Grace Lawson.
Fictional hero: John Self from Money by Martin Amis.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Rik Mayall as Alan B'Stard (he's got the same goggle eyes).
Hidden talent: Being able to eat spicier food than anybody else.
Most expensive purchase: The extreme performance upgrade I subsequently did to my car.
Desert island objects: My cello, Bible, a small portable altar.
Lowdown: An energetic, compelling presenter, slightly unhinged and with a dirty mouth best describes Lawson. Will work well with John Burley, the newly promoted executive creative director, and has raised the agency's new business credentials.
LEARMAN, SIMON
Job: Joint executive creative director.
Company: McCann London 7-11 Herbrand Street London WC1N 1EX.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7961 2268.
Born: 24 March 1966.
Career highlights: The next good thing.
Why are you good at what you do?: Because I listen.
Greatest influence: John Webster.
Fantasy business partner: Hugh Hefner.
Biggest risk taken: Walking the streets of Sao Paulo.
Best job outside advertising: Picking fruit on a kibbutz.
Favourite media: The Guardian, Wired, The Sopranos, Radio 4, Amazon.
Favourite gadget: Sky+.
Clubs: Not disclosed.
Most-admired politician: Bill Clinton, because he promoted inclusion by keeping dialogue alive, and he is a noted cigar aficionado.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: By walking.
Perfect day: Seeing good work.
Fictional hero: Ignatius J Reilly (A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole), or maybe Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: SpongeBob SquarePants.
Hidden talent: Restraint.
Most expensive purchase: Peace and quiet.
Desert island objects: An iPod, Sky + and a copy of "The Idiot's Guide to Boat Building".
Lowdown: Learman is proof that joint-executive creative directorships work. With his partner, Brian Fraser, Learman has managed to wrest a string of good campaigns out of a creative department which was only ever remarkable for its size.
LEDWIDGE, RINGAN
Job: Director.
Company: Rattling Stick, 39-43 Brewer Street, London W1F 9UD.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7851 2001.
Born: Canterbury, Kent.
Career highlights: Volkswagen, Adidas, Lynx, Levi's.
Why are you good at what you do?: I had no choice. I'm useless at everything else.
Greatest influence: My mum and dad.
Fantasy business partner: I had one. Now, luckily, we work together.
Biggest risk taken: Asking out Julie Bruce when I was 14, and she was 17. I had no chance.
Best job outside advertising: Roadsweeper.
Favourite media: The Observer, American Cinematographer, Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, Radio Five Live, liverpoolfc.tv.
Favourite gadget: Bop It.
Clubs: Liverpool FC.
Most-admired politician: Winston Churchill. He kicked arse!
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: I always walk or use public transport in town.
Perfect day: A sunny day, lazing and reading the papers in the park.
Fictional hero: Phileas Fogg.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: My mate, Matt.
Hidden talent: I'm a mean egg-and-spoon racer.
Most expensive purchase: Mind your own.
Desert island objects: Frisbee, beach towel, beachball.
Lowdown: Despite a much-publicised return to commercials directing, Ledwidge's output has been sparse over the past 12 months. An epic spot for Levi's and some charming work for Orange aside, Ledwidge has spent much of his time since forming Rattling Stick with Daniel Kleinman and finishing off his feature film, Gone. Look out for it, it's brilliant.
LEIH, GARY
Job: Chairman and chief executive.
Company: Ogilvy Group UK, 10 Cabot Square, London .
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7345 3225.
Born: 10 December 1958.
Career highlights: Still waiting (and hoping) for one.
Why are you good at what you do?: Being frank, open
and accessible.
Greatest influence: Nelson Mandela.
Fantasy business partner: David Ogilvy.
Biggest risk taken: Life is an inherently risky business.
Best job outside advertising: Shelf-stacker for a supermarket chain.
Favourite media: The Sunday Times, Harvard Business Review, Grand Designs, www.chardonnay-du-monde.com.
Favourite gadget: Denon microsystem.
Clubs: None.
Most-admired politician: Nelson Mandela, for preventing bloodiness and bitterness through nothing more than sheer charisma and force of personality.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Try to keep my own waffle, hot air and blather to a minimum.
Perfect day: At home in Camps Bay, Cape Town with family, friends and Chardonnay.
Fictional hero: Stephen Kumalo (the pastor in Paton's Cry, The Beloved Country).
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Donald Sutherland.
Hidden talent: I am a qualified bricklayer.
Most expensive purchase: My stash of Chardonnay.
Desert island objects: My wife Sharon, and my two daughters, Alexis and Caitlin.
Lowdown: Making strides towards turning the Ogilvy Group into a fully-fledged integrated company, with strong offerings in all mediums. One of adland's most jovial men, he is a real find for the UK market.
LESSARD, CLAUDE
Job: Chairman of the board, chief executive and president.
Company: Cossette Group, 801 Grande Allee West, Suite 200, Quebec, Canada G1S 1C1.
Work tel: +1 418 647 2727.
Born: 29 July 1949.
Career highlights: I have spent my entire career building Cossette, so my personal career highlights are also Cossette's. These moments would include our first expansion out of Quebec City to open an office in Montreal, which had never been done before. And later expanding to Toronto and Vancouver to become a truly national agency. Going public was a highlight, as was our first overseas acquisition in the UK. Also, opening in New York. But the greatest highlights still come from being associated with talented and dedicated people, and inspiring clients for all those years.
Why are you good at what you do?: I bring passion to everything I do.
Greatest influence: Marie, my life partner for 40 years.
Fantasy business partner: Steve Jobs.
Biggest risk taken: At 22 years of age, borrowing $5,000 to invest in a small graphic design company that was going nowhere and asking five other partners - also young men who were early in their careers - to do the same so that together we could build a successful communications company.
Best job outside advertising: I taught people how to ride horses and jump at a summer camp in the US.
Favourite media: The only TV show I watch is 24. I read Time Magazine and the Wall Street Journal. And I listen to CBC Radio. My favorite website is the one I go to most often, cossette.com.
Favourite gadget: No contest. My BlackBerry.
Clubs: I'm a member of a golf club with only 50 members.
Most-admired politician: John F Kennedy. He was a man of great passion.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: I take personal responsibility for the environment and I try to recycle as much as I can. We have a green policy in place at Cossette and we are working to improve it.
Perfect day: Helicopter snowboarding in the Canadian Rockies with my three sons.
Fictional hero: Tintin.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: James Stewart.
Hidden talent: Building consensus.
Most expensive purchase: A seven-handicap golf swing, which I acquired through a series of intense golf lessons in Orlando after picking up the sport in my mid-thirties.
Desert island objects: Satellite phone, surfboard, family photo album.
Lowdown: The big cheese at Cossette Communications really hit Campaign's radar earlier this year when he beat bigger suitors to buy Dare for around $21 million. With Dare, Miles Calcraft Briginshaw Duffy, Identica and Band & Brown in his UK portfolio, all eyes will be on how the UK elements are pulled together into a unified offering.
LIDSTONE, RUSS
Job: Chief strategy officer.
Company: Euro RSCG London, Cupola House, 15 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7EB.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7240 4111.
Born: Brixham, South Devon.
Career highlights: Working for Coca-Cola, winning Sega as my first pitch, working with Leslie Butterfield, being part of the agency of the decade (HHCL), working on Tesco (among other things) at Lowe, and being made head of planning; being hired by JWT to head planning; joining Euro RSCG with Cadders.
Why are you good at what you do?: I like it.
Greatest influence: My dad.
Fantasy business partner: Mark Cadman and Mark Hunter.
Biggest risk taken: Not going into academia in order to have a go at advertising.
Best job outside advertising: Ethnographic youth researcher for Coca-Cola.
Favourite media: The Observer, The Observer Music Monthly, The West Wing, Radio 4, clubpenguin.com.
Favourite gadget: Hard drive digital video camera.
Clubs: Lidstone Family History Society, Virgin Active.
Most-admired politician: Jed Bartlet (see The West Wing episodes 1 to 154 for the reasons why).
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Every little helps.
Perfect day: Christmas Day.
Fictional hero: Howard Roark.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Morgan Freeman.
Hidden talent: I can put 24 marshmallow flumps in my mouth at the same time.
Most expensive purchase: Bed.
Desert island objects: Grandma's chicken and mushroom pie, a bottle of Ketel One vodka, iPod.
Lowdown: Lidstone is one of the industry's best ambassadors. He's a formidable thinker with brilliant people skills. Entrepreneurial in spirit, he's exactly the kind of strategist David Jones needs in a London office that needed to be almost completely rewired when he and Mark Cadman arrived.
LINDSAY, TIM
Job: Group chief executive.
Company: TBWA, 76-80 Whitfield Street, London W1T 4EZ.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7573 6666.
Born: 16 February 1956.
Career highlights: Working with a lot of fantastic people at Bartle Bogle Hegarty and Lowe Howard-Spink. Being made president of Lowe Worldwide. Rejoining TBWA.
Why are you good at what you do?: I don't mind loud bangs.
Greatest influence: Geoff Howard-Spink. Oh, OK, and Nigel Bogle.
Fantasy business partner: Rebekah Wade.
Biggest risk taken: Joining Publicis. Stepping off a mountain with a parachute strapped to my back.
Best job outside advertising: Assistant steward on Townsend Thoresen cross-Channel ferries. Free booze and fags. Nearly everyone else had been an armed robber.
Favourite media: The Guardian, Bike, Match of the Day, Radio 4, a1surf.com.
Favourite gadget: Corkscrew.
Clubs: Blake's 7, 30 Club, MGGB, The Groucho Club, Soho House.
Most-admired politician: Gordon Brown. Dignity.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: We are manic recyclers in our house.
Perfect day: Early Autumn in Cornwall, three-foot swell, a light offshore breeze, lunch with Caz and the girls at The Waterfront Bar, Polzeath.
Fictional hero: Guy Crouchback.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: No idea.
Hidden talent: Juggling.
Most expensive purchase: Shotgun.
Desert island objects: Cambridge University Library, Tesco Direct, broadband.
Lowdown: Lindsay's move to TBWA/London from Publicis in February marks a new era for both agencies. Now he'll have to impress his boss Keith Smith as he rebuilds the London office. The quintessential suit is blessed with a cool charm and debonair looks that still turn heads.
LITTLE, SUE
Job: Chief executive officer.
Company: McCann Erickson, Communications House, 7-11 Herbrand Street, London WC1N 1EX.
Work tel: +44 (0)1625 822206.
Born: 1955.
Career highlights: Just one. Twenty-three happy (and quite successful) years with one fantastic agency.
Why are you good at what you do?: Has to be down to an eternal sense of optimism.
Greatest influence: One basic belief. Live for today.
Fantasy business partner: Delia Smith to launch a chain of tea shops a la Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate.
Biggest risk taken: Have always managed to convince myself that every potential risk was a golden opportunity.
Best job outside advertising: Running a bar on a Spanish campsite.
Favourite media: The Mail on Sunday, Conde Naste Traveller, Spooks, Radio 2, flymonarch.com.
Favourite gadget: A pineapple slicer from Lakeland. So clever.
Clubs: None.
Most-admired politician: William Hague. Brilliant on his feet, Razor-like wit and intelligence, magnanimous in defeat.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Not very well, given my passion for travel.
Perfect day: One that features sunshine, sea and shopping!
Fictional hero: Mr Darcy (as played by Colin Firth) in Pride & Prejudice.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Helen Mirren.
Hidden talent: Very sadly, I don't think I've got one.
Most expensive purchase: A holiday in Bora Bora.
Desert island objects: Mobile phone, list book and pen, Clarins day cream.
Lowdown: Little has continued to shy away from the media spotlight, much to the annoyance of the McCann network. After all, she runs the biggest regional agency network in the UK, something that most chief executives would be proud to shout about.
LOCKETT, NICK
Job: Chairman.
Company: BLM, Eagle House, 50 Marshall Street, London W1F 9BQ.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7440 0151.
Born: 21 April 1952.
Career highlights: Director of Saatchi & Saatchi; founding director Zenith at launch, launched BLM, now the chairman.
Why are you good at what you do?: Positive, persuasive and fair and I recognise my weaknesses.
Greatest influence: My brother.
Fantasy business partner: Richard Branson.
Biggest risk taken: Launching BLM.
Best job outside advertising: Wine waiter.
Favourite media: The Sunday Times, The Week, Green Wing, Virgin, bbc.co.uk.
Favourite gadget: iPod.
Clubs: Carnegie Club at Skibo.
Most-admired politician: Ken Livingstone. I hate what he does, but I admire his dogmatic approach.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Plant plenty of trees and support The Woodland Trust.
Perfect day: Rewarding work and excessive play.
Fictional hero: Thomas Crown.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Jean Paul Belmondo.
Hidden talent: Table tennis.
Most expensive purchase: Rolex.
Desert island objects: Helicopter, aviation fuel, a pilot.
Lowdown: Lockett has recently become a keep-fit fanatic, a counterbalance, at long last, you could argue, to his life-long passion for good food. And he gets plenty of opportunities to indulge when he finds the time to chill out at his property located in the south of France.
LONG, NIGEL
Job: Chief executive.
Company: Naked Commu-nications, 5th Floor, 159-173 St John Street, London EC1V 4QJ.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7336 8084.
Born: Yorkshire.
Career highlights: WCRS and Partners BDDH were highlights.
Why are you good at what you do?: I'm driven, love people, ideas and business. And I see the big picture. Ouch, what was that?
Greatest influence: My dad. The wisest leader I know, and a gentleman.
Fantasy business partner: My dad.
Biggest risk taken: Investing in a business I didn't run, not for the faint-hearted.
Best job outside advertising: Coaching executives in "proper" business and mentoring school children.
Favourite media: Financial Times on a Saturday (thanks Jac), Country Life, Mock the Week, Radio 2, primelocation.com.
Favourite gadget: Any type of boat.
Clubs: None (that would have me).
Most-admired politician: Winston Churchill, for his leadership skills.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: I cycle and I use a Mini for local journeys.
Perfect day: Any day in Devon with Jenny, Sophie, Hattie and Rupert.
Fictional hero: CJ or Josh in The West Wing (either would do well at Naked).
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Hugh Laurie would be flattering, Nigel Havers is more likely.
Hidden talent: Writing.
Most expensive purchase: That'll be houses plural.
Desert island objects: A boat to build, a mountain bike to explore with, and a photo of my family.
Lowdown: Long continues to provide the business brains that binds Naked's various operations together. This year, he's helped it to branch out into new areas such as data and entertainment content while overseeing its more established businesses.
LOWTHER, JAMES
Job: Founding partner.
Company: M&C Saatchi, 36 Golden Square, London W1F 9EE.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7543 4598.
Born: When I was born, it was considered rude to ask.
Career highlights: Joining Saatchi & Saatchi; helping found M&C Saatchi.
Why are you good at what you do?: Because it seemed better than the alternative.
Greatest influence: My children and the Saatchi philosophy.
Fantasy business partner: Uma Thurman.
Biggest risk taken: Getting married.
Best job outside advertising: A "jackeroo" on an Australian sheep station.
Favourite media: The Sunday Times, Country Life, the news, Radio 4, holdenby.com.
Favourite gadget: My Roland MIDI keyboard.
Clubs: The Car Clamp Recovery Club.
Most-admired politician: Elizabeth I, for her combination of intelligence, wit, charm, education... and occasional ruthlessness.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: With difficulty.
Perfect day: An endless succession of Saturday mornings.
Fictional hero: Levin in Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Anyone who knows Uma Thurman.
Hidden talent: Not keeping whatever small talent I have hidden.
Most expensive purchase: My marriage license.
Desert island objects: My Roland MIDI keyboard, a laptop to record my compositions on, earplugs.
Lowdown: Despite being one of the team of founding partners who walk the halls of the agency without seemingly doing much, Lowther still has his hand on many accounts. What's more, he still boasts a bristling contacts book.
LUND, MARK
Job: Chief executive.
Company: Delaney Lund Knox Warren & Partners, 25 Wellington Street, London WC2E 7DA.
Work tel: +44 (0)20 7438 4007.
Born: 10 April 1959.
Career highlights: Learning about creativity at CDP, learning about brands at Lintas, learning about business at Eurocom Paris.Helping to found and build DLKW & Partners.
Why are you good at what you do?: I know what I can't do.
Greatest influence: Kate.
Fantasy business partner: I'm pretty happy with the ones I've got.
Biggest risk taken: A toss-up between asking Kate to marry me and doing the buyout that led to DLKW & Partners.
Best job outside advertising: Delivery driver for a garage in my gap year - 145mph in Jaguars at 18 years of age.
Favourite media: The Times, Top Gear, The Thick of It, Capital, bbc.co.uk.
Favourite gadget: In-car Bluetooth.
Clubs: Harleyford GC, Solus.
Most-admired politician: Mahatma Gandhi. He had principles for which he was prepared to die.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Not enough.
Perfect day: A good walk (possibly spoiled in a Mark Twain sense).
Fictional hero: I've got to have three. Richard Hannay, Jack Aubrey and Harry Palmer.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: The Great Gonzo.
Hidden talent: I can just about sing.
Most expensive purchase: A picture or two.
Desert island objects: Golf clubs (Augusta and Sunningdale), complete works of Charles Dickens, my family (or is that not allowed?).
Lowdown: The golf fanatic will be pleased with the flurry of new business in the final third of 2007. The decision not to repitch for eBay was vindicated by a sudden surge of wins, including The Stroke Association, Alton Towers, Freeview, General Motors and HomeForm. With the agency keen to shake off its image of briefs-for-melodies, some of its work for RAF and COI has shown glimpses of a larger creative potential.
LYLE, DOMINIC
Job: Director-general.
Company: European Association of Communications Agencies, 152 Boulevard Brand Whitlock, Brussels B-1200.
Work tel: +3 22 740 0711.
Born: London.
Career highlights: Serving breakfast to James Coburn; Setting up a PR agency for Porter Novelli in Brussels and being selected to run EACA.
Why are you good at what you do?: I am a diplomat, a networker, a listener and a problem solver.
Greatest influence: My wife, Vyvyan.
Fantasy business partner: Martha Lane Fox.
Biggest risk taken: Getting married.
Best job outside advertising: Running a restaurant in London's King's Road in the 70s.
Favourite media: The Daily Telegraph, The Economist, Heroes, Radio 4, wikipedia.
Favourite gadget: My mobile phone.
Clubs: Royal Anglo-Belgian.
Most-admired politician: Enoch Powell. He wasn't afraid to speak the truth.
How do you off-set your carbon footprint?: Planting trees.
Perfect day: No traffic, no meetings, no rain, no spam.
Fictional hero: Kristin Lavransdatter.
Who should play you in the film of your life?: Anthony Hopkins.
Hidden talent: I'm a very good cook.
Most expensive purchase: Diamonds.
Desert island objects: A freezer full of Ben & Jerry's, some silk pyjamas, and a guide on practical boat-building for beginners.
Lowdown: With threats to advertising freedom ever more likely to emerge from Brussels rather than from London, Lyle's role as the industry's early warning system becomes ever more important. He'll also be heartened by the growing support among agencies for the EACA-organised Euro Effie awards.