10 Questions with... Nicole Yershon, author, speaker & former Ogilvy Labs chief
The Drum speaks to people across the global media and marketing sector who are bringing something a little different to the industry and talks to them about what little insights they can offer the rest of us. This week's 10 Questions With... features Nicole Yershon, author, speaker and innovation consultant.
Nicole Yershon
What was your first ever job?
Avoiding being mugged, when working every Sunday 6am til 3pm as a sales assistant on a market stall selling blouses in Petticoat Lane Market - aged 13!
Why did you get into marketing?
A creative bug bit me back in the day when TV ad’s were the most glamorous thing in the world and my Dad was a legend and game changer in the industry, so I couldn’t avoid it.
Favourite person you have ever worked with and why?
Dave Trott - I was 19 and I thought (and still do) that he was inspirational. He was always the smartest person and best teacher. Inspiration is addictive.
What is your ideal work night out?
Anything where there’s an absence of alcohol, tobacco and idiots.
Android or iPhone?
An iPhone - Steve Jobs inspired me.
If you could ban one buzzword or piece of jargon what would it be?
I don’t mind buzzwords or jargon if they’re backed up by doing something with them. When they are meaningful they are meaningful. The problem is when they are used by people who have no idea what the words mean
What is the most exciting thing about your job?
Turning disruption into advantage and then my back on the people intent on stopping it. Collaborating with good and talented people who want to effect change.
Who is the person you most want to meet in the industry and why?
Elon Musk because he smashes the boundaries between industries and ignores the idea that anything is impossible
What is the best book you have ever read?
I still can’t decide. There are at least 200 that I started and still need to finish. I'm sure one of them would qualify.
What's the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Never trust any advice that you are given. Experience everything yourself and really learn what it means - that way you have your own advice you can give to others!
The next installment of 10 Questions With... will run next Monday.