Spotlight on...Chris Slack

Q. At the age of 16 where did you see yourself in 5 years?
A. As a planner in Ad agency...Growing up through the 80’s and the era of the truly great advertising campaigns.

Q. And where were you at the age of 21?
A. Studying Advertising & Marketing at Lancaster University and reconsidering agency life, looking more at client side...

Q. How did you get into your current role?
A. Networks – the vital network of people you know can never be downplayed.
I followed an unconventional path through a number of really diverse sectors. From retail, research, consumer durables, to the drinks industry equivalent of working in Willy Wonkas factory, via food safety and now pharma/life sciences. I don’t think you can go wrong in food and drink or life sciences/pharma. Both excellent and diverse sectors that serve real consumer and patient needs.

Q. What’s the thing you love most about your job? The impact it has on consumer/patients.
A. I always love a good service/product launch too. The fruits of months of planning always gives you a buzz.

Q. If you could give one piece of career advice to aspiring marketers, what would it be?
A. Don’t over specialise. Get a good grounding in the many different areas of marketing and approach your career as a continuous learning opportunity. Try to sample as much breadth as possible. Comes back to the T shape to your career...not sure I totally agree...I think maybe a more balanced approach is more useful, in this time of agile working.

Q. In another life, your career would have been…
A. An archeologist or paleontologist/geologist. I obviously like old things and earth sciences…

This or That?

1. Tea or coffee? coffee
2. Twitter or Facebook? Twitter – but unfair as neither now.
3. Netflix or Amazon Prime? - Prime
4. Physical book or Kindle? Physical book any day
5. Chocolate or crisps? crisps
6. Dog or cat? dog
7. Beach or poolside? pool
8. Big party or dinner party? Dinner.
9. Run or walk? walk
10. Pop or rock? rock