Back Chat: Adam&EveDDB's Ben Priest on inspiration, Crystal Palace and what makes him 'sick with envy'

I am very well. Refreshed and ready for all that 2015 has to offer. I’m busy working on the shape of the department going forward. You can’t do the right work without having the right people!

What’s your biggest gripe at the moment?

I’m not keen on the rise of the ad man who thinks it’s his job to PR himself. Success is measured by the volume of column inches he generates and photo opportunities grasped. Personally, I’d rather be back at the ranch overseeing work that will deliver PR for my clients. This is not a new breed but they always fade in the same way, so be wary of that career plan.

Crystal Palace buying a new centre forward would also improve my mood considerably.

Likewise, what are you loving?

I cannot stop listening to Two Door Cinema Club. I’m also watching the IT Crowd over and over and it just gets funnier. I’m halfway through the original Danish series The Killing. It’s interesting but I worry it may prove too protracted for me.

What would you change if you were prime minister and/or had unlimited resources?

Poverty, illness, hatred and the capacity at Selhurst Park.

Who is your biggest hero in advertising?

David Abbott, because he was so much better than anyone else but made it look so easy. He produced brilliant work over such a long period of time and also built a wonderful agency in his own image.

My godfather Alfredo Marcantonio inspired me with his passion for great work and my dad was a client who fought for strong creative, which had a big impact on me.

Which ad do you wish you had worked on?

I wish I’d worked on the Sporty Girl/Brainy Girl campaign for Lynx. It’s so perfect it makes me sick with envy every time I see it. The brand has a long history of fabulous work, so stepping into the spotlight for the next round would be interesting.

What the guys at BBH managed to do here was deliver on the Lynx Effect but in a way that felt totally fresh. It’s an adrenaline shot in the chest of a long-running campaign. I love the writing – a real kick in the balls for those ageing copywriters who love to jaw on about the ‘lack of writing skills’ and ‘death of craft’. The direction is also perfect. Slow, mesmeric pictures complement the VO beautifully.

Outside of the industry, who inspires you?

My mum – she set up our village nursery, ran our family and went on to become a child protection social worker.

My friends – they are a wonderful, varied lot and I’m lucky to have them.

My children – Bridget aged seven and Elsa aged five.

Sebastian Faulks for Birdsong, Graham Linehan for IT Crowd and Wilfried Zaha for two goals against Brighton.

Where else do you find inspiration?

I don’t look for inspiration. I follow things that excite me, but you cannot consume art or film hoping that it will help you in advertising. That’s a sad lens through which to view the world and all it has to offer.

And what’s your last word on the industry?

We are lucky to be it, and it’s our duty to make it as good as it can be.

This feature was first published in the 21 January issue of The Drum.