The A-List: 2008

Born

11th July 1962

Job

Strategic resources director, worldwide

Company

Zenith-Optimedia

Work Telephone

+44 (0)20 7961 1038.

Address

Headquarters, 24 Percy Street, London, W1T 2BS

Fantasy business partner

Alexander Graham Bell.

How do you off-set your carbon footprint?

Talk as little as possible.

Greatest influence

The theory of evolution by natural selection.

Clubs

Pizza Express Club, Costco, BA Executive Club.

Favourite gadget

Vaughan & Bushnell AS1-1 & 4 Solid Steel Camp Axe (beats the BlackBerry every time).

Desert island objects

CGS Enamelware 16-piece dinnerware starter set in dark green; Lodge Original Finish Pro Grid/Iron Griddle; Lodge 5-Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven with Iron Lid.

Most-admired politician

Oman's Sultan Qaboos. He cares more for his people than himself.

Favourite media

Metro, Wired, Kojak, Heart, marketersportal.com.

Biggest risk taken

Flying.

Perfect day

Sun, sand, sea, and a good book (preferably in Oman).

Who should play you in the film of your life?

Chuck Norris.

Career highlights

Executive to media research director at Saatchi & Saatchi from 1987 to 1992. Research director at Zenith Media from 1992 to1994. Strategic resources director, worldwide, ZenithOptimedia from 1994 to the present day.

Fictional hero

Aladdin.

Hidden talent

Public speaking.

Best job outside advertising

The Lupin Database Company.

Lowdown

Described by colleagues as a gentle giant, Harrison has always been one of the unsung heroes of ZenithOptimedia but he's acquired an even more central role since the agency began staking all on an ROI proposition. Research supplied by Harrison's team is the foundation on which it's all built.

Most expensive purchase

Lots of animals (cost in damage to carpets, chairs, sanity).

Why are you good at what you do?

I do lots of research before I open my mouth.