How do you become a Top Ad Executive

'What it takes to be a top ad exec'
[Economic Times]
[ WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2005 12:48:23 AM]

Jagdip Bakshi,
CEO, Contract Advertising

Involvement is the key. If you are truly involved in the job, success will come to you. Erstwhile US President, John F Kennedy used this line in many of his speeches and that is, “I don’t mind if my son chooses drilling roads as his occupation, but he should be the best at that.”

John Goodman,
CEO, India and South Asia, Ogilvy & Mather

Get under the skin of your client’s business to a degree that it is clear you care about their success as much as they do. Be willing to take on new things and take some risks with your career — difficult assignments, strange places, and unfamiliar disciplines.

One of the smartest moves I ever made was going to the Czech Republic to run a start-up office right after their revolution in 1992. Everyone thought I was committing career suicide, but it gave me a very early taste of real entrepreneurship and running an agency by myself. And, start work early! I’ve usually cleared a lot of admin 1-2 hours before everyone else starts.

CVL Srinivas,
Managing Director, Maxus

Believe that there is no reward without risks. And, judgment and intuition are as important as analysis and research. Today’s world needs a multidimensional approach to problem solving. In this fast changing world, the rate of change “inside” must be greater than the rate of change “outside” in order to stay alive.


This is especially true in our media business. And lastly, convert problems into opportunities. As Richard Bach said, “There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for us in its hands. We seek problems because we enjoy their gifts.”

Meenakshi Madhvani,
Founder, Spatial Access

Hardwork, Honesty & Humility. Work each day as if it is the last day of your life. Be honest so that if tomorrow comes you can look it in the eye. Be humble and recognise the fact that you are but an instrument to serve a larger purpose. Have fun while doing it!

Jayshree Sundar,
Executive Director, Leo Burnett

Advertising is like joining the university of life. Observe life — the best ideas and insights come from there.

Preet Bedi,
President, Rediffusion DY&R

Assess and be fair to yourself. That makes you cope with both failure and success and doesn’t let you become either over-defensive or over-offensive.

Prem Mehta,
Chairman & Managing Director, Lintas

Commit yourself to a cause beyond self-interest and chase excellence in whatever you take up.