Paul Shearer, Memac Ogilvy’s Chief Creative Officer, is a man in love with advertising and big ideas. Through this informal questionnaire, we get a glimpse into the mind and heart of this multi-awarded passionate British creative, who has joined the Memac Group in 2014 and who seems to be on a mission to inject creativity across the board.
What gets you up in the morning?
I am on a mission to educate as many of our creative as possible.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Winning a pitch.
Who do you ultimately want to become?
Someone who always does and says the right thing.
What is your greatest extravagance?
My children.
What’s your motto in life?
Hit refresh.
What keeps you in the game?
Jealousy.
What keeps you up at night?
Nothing. I sleep real well.
What would be your worst nightmare?
To have spent my career producing scam ads.
What inspires you most?
Winning awards for real clients and real briefs.
What music have you been listening to lately?
The Chainsmokers.
What is the gadget you cannot live without?
TV remote.
What screensaver can we find on your phone?
My wife Laura’s photo.
What quality do you most look up to in a woman?
Simplicity of thought.
What quality do you most look up to in a friend?
Honesty.
Who would you like to sit next to on a seven-hour flight?
Obama.
If you could live for one day the life of another person, who would it be?
Phil Knight of Nike.
If you could have dinner with someone, living or dead, who would it be and what question would you ask him/her?
The Wright brothers.
Q: Would you really have given your life for flight?
If you were to be reincarnated, what would you like to come back as?
A golden Eagle.
If you were to change profession, what would you choose to do?
A footballer.
What do you consider to be the greatest headline of all time?
“Your country needs you.”
What business tip would you give the newbies?
Clients make you.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Going on stage at Cannes or D&AD.
Where can we find you on a Friday night?
With my family.
If you could choose one superhero power, what would it be?
Telepathy.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
Buy a big boat.
What is the one word you catch yourself saying too often?
Hurry.
What would you like to be doing five years from now?
Telling young creative how it’s done.
If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
New York.
What’s the last book you read or movie you saw? (opinion)
Of Mice and Men.
I often think that creatives are displaced migrants.
What is the one thing you wish you have designed?
The iPhone
WHO ARE YOU?
I am... grumpy.
I like… big ideas.
I want... to live in a kind world.
I have... too many awards.
I wish... I could do that again.
I hate... people who take credit for something they didn’t do.
I fear... nothing.
I Google... everything.
I wonder... if I am ever going to go to space.
I regret... too many things.
I love... my family.
I need... to look at my calendar more.
If I ruled the world... I would share.
I dream… of high tide.
My Favourite…
Dream Destination: Home
Restaurant: Sheekys, London
Hotel: Mondrian, LA
Meal: Lobster
Quote: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again”
Book: Animal Farm
Movie: Brave heart
Flower: Poppy
Animal: Dog
Poet: Robert Burns
Music/band: Simple Minds
Painter: Turner
Heroes: Everyone who failed and got up and succeeded.
