Meet the obsessives

An idea can arrive from anywhere, and inspiration comes in all shapes and sizes - as do our team. Though we are all individuals, we have in common an overwhelming passion and commitment to our work, which spills into

our personal interests. After all, if something is worth following, it is worth following to the point of obsession.

Greg
Operations Manager
I’m obsessed with Arsenal FC – such simultaneous love and contempt can only be deemed an obsession. Alongside a life-long interest in comic books and the associated mythology (and the guilty pleasure of a good old soap-opera love story, like Clark and Lois or Batman and Robin) my biggest obsession is music – life should never be without a soundtrack, especially if performed by a bunch of big-haired spandex-clad urchins old enough to know better.
Contactgreg.porter@publicislifebrands.co.uk
John
Revenue Accountant
I’m obsessed with the finer things in life, especially when it comes to food. With good eating come regular gym trips, another obsession. Whether working out or eating out, I try to have fun and enjoy life to the fullest extent possible. No matter what I’m doing, I’m guided by the Golden Rule and do my best to treat people how I would like to be treated.
Martin
Creative Services Director
I’m obsessed with food. I collect cookbooks along with all things chef-tastic. In fact, my wife won’t let me buy any more cookbooks until I’ve finished cooking all of the recipes I’ve already got. Trouble is, I’m really not that good a cook… I just love it. Still, I haven’t poisoned my family yet.
Paul
Joint Managing Director
I’m obsessed with communing with nature. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been trapped in offices all my life, or due to the fact that I was born just a few feet from the sea. Come wind or rain, I’m obsessed with battling the elements, especially when competing against others. Not walking though. If I have to walk, it’s with my beloved Labrador, Polly.
Contactpaul.blackburn@publicislifebrandsresolute.com
Paul
Art Director
I’m obsessed with football, both my team and the game in general. I’ve been an avid Arsenal supporter for years, completely hooked since my dad took me to my first game way back in 1983. I’ve always been into comics and graphic novels and could look at the different styles of illustration for hours. And then, of course, there are my family and friends, the most important obsession of all. They keep me grounded and give me perspective and purpose, something I will always be grateful for. Oh, and of course my dogs too, the other loves of my life.
Megan
Director of Client Services
I’m obsessed with getting to know London. I moved here from New York City, and while I know NYC like the back of my hand, I could only say the same about London if I was wearing gloves. I tend to use food as a guide, checking out new neighbourhoods by way of new restaurants. By the end of the year, I also hope to have picked up a few new recipes from trips to France, Italy and Spain.
Contactmegan.howard@publicislifebrands.co.uk
Nick
Junior Designer
I’m obsessed with skiing. I wrote my dissertation on it and I have skied in three different continents. Perhaps I should focus my obsession on furthering that number. Unable to venture out last season, I’ll have to double my skiing activity with two trips next time round.
Anna
Joint Managing Director
Cheers! Apart from my obsession with work (sorry about that but it’s true!), which means I spend a lot of time thinking about our people and our clients, I’m also lucky enough to have a really great crowd of close friends. They’re all foodies so we spend quite a lot of time obsessing about which restaurant to choose or where to go, with Padstow, Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth so far topping the list. We don’t always go so far afield though, here I’m raising a glass before lunch with friends at Hix in Soho.
Contactanna.korving@publicislifebrandsresolute.com
Salvatore
Designer
I’m obsessed with cars. Not just any old cars. I love my American muscle cars. Specifically, Dodge and Plymouth. Even more specifically, those from 1967–1972. I even own two of them. Quite sadly, I’m somewhat of a walking encyclopedia on the topic. From engines – like the massive 7 litre, 426 cubic inch HEMI – to the ridiculous paint colour names, such as “plum-crazy purple” and “sassy grass greens.” It’s not winning me any friends, I know... but we’re all obsessed with something.
Shaheed
Creative Director
I’m obsessed with Tiger Balm. I carry a pot everywhere. Unfortunately, it’s hard to walk around unnoticed, as people can smell me a mile off. I love The Sopranos. Since they’ve come to an end, I’m now obsessed with the DVD box sets. In my spare time, I run a portfolio site helping connect the world’s best creative talent with the advertising industry (and vice versa). I also mentor students from various colleges and charities who want to break into advertising.
Contactshaheed.peera@publicislifebrands.co.uk
Andy
Account Director
I’m obsessed with something. The only issue for me is that the ‘something’ changes monthly. My current obsession is with the 1987 Raleigh Sprint racing bike I’m rebuilding. Next month might be learning Spanish. Underpinning the majority of my obsessions is travelling – locally or internationally, and experiencing as many different things as possible.
Andrea
Account Manager
I‘m obsessed with musical theatre- I love the immersive experience of the songs, sets, costumes, dance and drama that can transport you to another world. On a similar note I’m obsessed with fancy dress parties, cannot miss an episode of ‘Glee’ and have started listening to way to much Barbra Streisand and Patti LuPone!"
Ed
Digital Project Manager
I'm obsessed with trying new things, understanding the internet, films, knowing everything about anything, creating order. I take pleasure in karaoke (even though I can't sing), cycling through London, reading, and the satisfaction you get from making things. And the one thing I couldn't live without? Music.
Janek
Art Director
I’m obsessed with getting up with the lark for long walks around Hyde Park, illustration and painting, making sense of the world employing the wit and wisdom of close friends, drumming, vintage Sci-Fi, anything coming out of Japanese Animé Studio Ghibli, Radio 4, the Sunday papers and Killer Sudoku, finding the perfect Dirty Martini, and irreverent late-night banter before a solid 8 hour’s sleep. Unless, of course, there’s a lark in the vicinity.
Sarah
Project Manager
I'm obsessed with London, walking and art, and I love to indulge in these activities with my friends. I have always had the compulsion to be creative, mainly through drawing and painting. I can also become obsessed with puzzles and mysteries, spending hour after hour after hour trying to put the pieces together. My set of ‘Where’s Wally?’ books sit neatly on my bookshelves, taunting me with every glimpse of red and white.

I have a weakness for travelling, I love new adventures and exploring, and I have a preoccupation with thoughts of improving, and even inventing, things. My fear is to live in an uncreative world.
Khalid
Copywriter
I’m obsessed with food. Especially sweets. I don’t really take any notice of things like sodium content, trans fat or E numbers. Too many of the latter usually results in an unbearable desire to talk incessantly about other things I’m obsessed with. Like coffee, hot sauce, leather jackets and penguins. And looking wistfully into the middle distance. If there’s a lake nearby, I won’t miss the opportunity.
Louisa
Copywriter
I’m obsessed with learning everything I can about humans from a scientific and social perspective, and trying to understand our biology, our culture, our behaviour, our history and our future. I’m obsessed with documentaries, particularly films about people. I’m notoriously nosey and documentaries provide me with the perfect opportunity to poke into other people’s lives from the comfort of my sofa. I’m also obsessed with travel, macaroni cheese, watching 80s films, and trying to get better at pub quizzes.
Klara
Copywriter
I'm obsessed with flying. When I was five my first attempt backfired and I fell down the stairs. Since then I’ve taken to the skies parasailing, para-gliding, and gliding all around the world. Back on the ground, I love long walks by the river, dancing, orange chilli chocolate, yoga, red wine, shoes, and muesli, although not with milk. My unhealthy obsession is with the number four, although I try to use it to my advantage. Anyone for another chocolate?
Nicky
Senior Account Executive
I'm obsessed with music and, in particular, singing. I sing for five different choirs and choral groups, including the BBC Symphony Chorus - there is nothing like the adrenaline rush of standing on stage in front of hundreds of people and performing with a symphony orchestra (especially when you're standing right next to the percussion). I sing so much that Thursday is generally my only night in, the other nights all being spent rehearsing or performing. I'm totally rock and chorale.
David
Medical Writer
I’m obsessed with music; I’ve learnt to play piano and guitar and sung in several choirs. I’ve also spent far too much time going to gigs and too much money buying albums. I firmly believe in the album as a coherent piece of art, to be listened to from start to finish, and would rather listen to a CD than download some MP3s and shuffle my way around. However, I also enjoy making playlists and mixtapes for friends, because I think there’s a lot to gain from sharing what you love with those close to you.
Leonie
Senior Account Executive
I’m obsessed with John Lennon – or rather, I was between the ages of about 8 to 13. I had read a biography on him for a primary school project on the Beatles and decided that, if he had not died four years before I was born, we would probably have been the best of friends. After several fiery near-misses with a shrine candle in our family home, I came to the conclusion that obsessions were pretty unhealthy and am therefore now obsessed with not being too obsessed with anything!
Katie
Account Director
I'm obsessed with vintage design. This obsession began in the sixth form of secondary school, where it was compulsory to join a club on Thursday afternoons. Seeing the instant disadvantages of being a member of such associations as the "cross country club" or the "ancient language club", I started "charity shop club" – which involved working at local charity shops on a weekly basis. I probably bought more items myself than I ever sold ... but from this moment on, an obsession with vintage design was born.
Suzanne
Account Manager
I’m obsessed with all things summer and my warm weather calendar of events. Bring on the sunshine!
Anisha
Senior Account Executive
I'm obsessed with food and feeding people! I love to try new recipes and adapt them to make them my own - a habit I learnt from my mum. As well as food, I enjoy travelling to the far corners of the world as it allows me to sample different cuisines and collect various cook books! My favourite place would probably be Maui. Even though the food is NOT great, the relaxing Hawaiian way of life is perfect.
Aree
Account Director
I'm obsessed with learning, I love to learn something new every day, whether it be science, business or about people. Anyone can teach you something new and I'm a firm believer that you stop to grow as a person when you stop to learn! I often get called a geek, that's more than ok as I am proud to be one.
Ed
Senior Scientific Executive
I'm obsessed with colour, from the colour of the office walls to the colour of my jeans, to bringing (unapologetically cheesy) a bit of colour to the work that we do. Having said that, coffee, chocolate and an Olly Murs album were my last Secret Santa presents so I guess that tells you quite a lot more about how people at PLBR see me. Given my job description, I fortunately love science, particularly virology (it's infectious), and getting paid to communicate it to the world at large makes this a pretty amazing job to be in.

Oh, and my favourite song? Let's Stay Together by Al Green.
Joanna
Senior Account Manager
I'm obsessed with The West Wing. For anyone who hasn't seen it, it is a US TV series set in the White House. I am currently making my way (again) through the seven-season box set. I love it because you can completely lose yourself in it. It is witty and very smart; sometimes it makes you cry, more often it makes you laugh. But it's the characters that make the show; my favourite is CJ Cregg, the inspirational White House (female) press secretary who generally wipes the floor with all the male characters, of which there are many. Amaze.
Victoria
Account Manager
I'm obsessed with dogs. I love all dogs in general, but anyone who has stood still near me for long enough will have heard about my springer spaniel, Bessie - my pride and joy and single-handed house destroyer. In fact, if any dog - large, small, bald, fluffy - runs past, anyone will tell you that I'm instantly distracted, and often trying to play with it!
Mark
Senior Account Executive
I’m obsessed with football to the extent where I frequently compare real-life events to the game and sometimes replay matches in my head. I also really enjoy living in London as it has an abundance of things to do and new places to explore. Day or night there's always somewhere interesting to go; although, now that I’m in my late twenties, I seemed to have matured into a daytime going out person.
Louise
Junior Account Executive
I'm obsessed with a long list of things, which as you imagine takes up a lot of time. My current focus is on exploring new places and new cultures, but I also find the time to obsess over summer, jazz bars, moisturising (it's hereditary), the sea and sailing, spinning, prints by Carnovsky, the Gipsy Kings and FOOD - primarily mozzarella, Rolo yoghurts and king prawns.
Shane
Senior Account Director
I'm obsessed with not just one thing but many, including travel, wine and U.S. TV dramas. A lack of focus you might say, but not at all. For instance, my obsession with wine has led me to study for two qualifications, while my husband and I have now visited nine countries in the Far East, with another, possibly Burma, firmly on the agenda for next year. Having committed over 20 years to those TV dramas, they can be enjoyed whenever the mood strikes - usually every other evening! For me, life is for living and if you can learn a little something along the way, so much the better.
Charlotte
Junior Account Executive
I'm obsessed with quite a few things, most of which begin with the letter ‘f'. First and foremost, I'm obsessed with having fun! I believe that ultimately, fun and laughter are the most important things in life, which leads to my next obsession, family and friends, whom I would like to think are also very funny people – I feel very lucky to always be around such great people who can always make me laugh. My last obsession has to be food (and wine, although unfortunately that doesn't begin with 'f', but still very important), of which my favourite dish has to be sausages and mash with baked beans!
Dora
Junior Account Executive
Although I am obsessed with a large list of things, one of my long standing obsessions are my chocolate brown poodles Billy and Buster – I can think of nothing more enjoyable than dressing them up in their large collection of clothes. They own "security" and "I love kylie" T-shirts, pink fairy princess dresses, polo neck jumpers and Christmas hats but most importantly they own must need accessories - yes, they have backpacks. Despite my obsession, I must admit it is my Dad that takes care of walking and feeding them – thanks Dad!.
Jane
Director
I'm obsessed with jam making, chicken keeping and growing of prize winning vegetables on my fantasy farm in Kent.
Paul
Associate Medical Writer
I’m obsessed with cricket, the finest game ever invented. This obsession has taken me to Australia, South Africa and India to follow the fortunes of the England cricket team, along with a fellow bunch of eternal optimists: the Barmy Army. The seeds of my passion were sown from a meeting with Ian ‘Beefy’ Botham at a local cricket ground at an early age - I’m not sure whether it was the mullet or the moustache that I was most impressed with but ever since that moment I was hooked. Though things are now looking good for the team I miss the bad old days of ritual thrashings by the Aussies; it seemed more fun back then. Spoken like a true England cricket fan.
Sinem
Senior Account Manager
I'm obsessed with shiny things and can often be found drooling over Boodles and Tiffany catalogues (one day I will own something very big and very shiny and very expensive!) - I must have been a magpie in my former life!