Basel Jumaa, Creative Director at J. Walter Thompson Amman, is one who takes strength in weakness thereby grows in strength every day as he ‘battles’ to transform his thoughts into tangible ideas.
What first sparked your interest in advertising?
When I was seven or eight years old, I went for an audition for a chocolate commercial. I remember I was fascinated by the theme, the colours, the happiness and the number of people working to produce what we know now as a 30 second commercial.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I’ll never know the meaning of the word “routine.”
What would you say is your strongest skill?
The ability to make mistakes.
Who do you ultimately want to become?
The younger version of myself.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Games and action figures.
What’s your motto in life?
From 'Assassins Creed' game: “Nothing is true, everything is permitted”.
What keeps you in the game?
Everyone who is way better than me. They are countless.
What keeps you up at night?
The thought that is trying so hard to become an idea. I call it the “mosquito thought.”
What would be your worst nightmare?
Running low on coffee.
What inspires you most?
My true inspiration comes from people. For example: You would be surprised at how much insight and ideas you can get in a 10-minute taxi ride.
What music have you been listening to lately?
Led Zeppelin and Skrillex.
What is the gadget you cannot live without?
My X-Box.
What can we find on your phone?
A self-made sculpture as my wallpaper, and social & sports apps (whatsapp, livescore).
What quality do you most look up to in a woman?
Spontaneity.
What quality do you most look up to in a friend?
The ability to spot my lies.
Who would you like to sit next to on a seven-hour flight?
Martha Stewart.
If you could live for one day the life of another person, who would it be?
Bruce Banner (The Hulk).
If you could have dinner with someone, living or dead, who would it be; and what question would you ask him/her?
My late father. I would ask him: “Been a while, How are you?”
If you were to be reincarnated, what would you like to come back as?
A tricycle.
If you were to change profession, what would you choose to do?
Baker.
What do you consider to be the greatest headline of all time?
War is Over.
What business tip would you give the newbies?
Be patient and don’t be hard on yourself.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
An epic meal.
Where can we find you on a Friday night?
Corner’s Pub.
If you could choose one superhero power, what would it be and why?
Reading minds … for the fun of it.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
I would buy a desert.
What is the one word you catch yourself saying too often?
“Mashawi,” meaning BBQ.
What would you like to be doing five years from now?
The five year’s improved version of what I’m doing now.
If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
Forbidden City, China.
What’s the last book you read or movie you saw?
The Epic of Gilgamesh. It was EPIC. Storytelling at its best.
What is the one thing you wish you have designed?
The lighter.
Who Are You?
I am... Curious
I like… Cars
I want... A Toyota Corolla 1979
I have... C3
I wish... My beard were longer
I hate... Routine
I fear... Boredom
I Google... My name
I wonder... About everything
I regret... The things I didn’t do
I love... Coffee
I need... Coffee
If I ruled the world... I would invite agencies to pitch for the best idea to fix it
I dream… every night... It is scary
My Favourite…
Dream Destination: North Pole
Restaurant: The Cheesecake Factory
Hotel: Kempinski
Meal: Medium-rare Sirloin steak
Quote: ‘Traveling- it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller”- Ibn Battuta’
Book: One Thousand and One Nights
Movie: Kung Pow: Enter the Fist
Flower: Jasmine
Animal: Leopard
Poet: Al Mutanabbi
Music/band: Led Zeppelin
Painter: Salvador Dali
Heroes: Mother Teresa
