The A-List: 2008

Job

Chief executive

Company

Internet Advertising Bureau

Work Telephone

+44 (0)20 7886 8282.

Address

Adams House, 7-10 Adam Street, London, W1F 7HR

Fantasy business partner

Sofia Loren, circa 1965.

How do you off-set your carbon footprint?

We sold one of our cars... and bought a racehorse.

Greatest influence

Sergeant Bilko.

Clubs

Adam Street, RSA, David Lloyd Leisure, "Jeff Beck is Better Than Hendrix" Facebook group.

Favourite gadget

Corkscrew.

Desert island objects

Midnight at the Oasis, sung by Maria Muldur; Ravel's Le Tombeau de Couperin; and The Pump by Jeff Beck.

Most-admired politician

William Wilberforce. Helped abolish slavery.

Favourite media

The Guardian, Classic Cars, Channel 4 Racing, Radio Five Live, and all my members' fabulous websites.

Biggest risk taken

Buying a race horse.

Perfect day

Get up about 10.00am, play on beach with little Jazzo (two), go racing after lunch with Susannah (15), Jeff Beck concert in the evening with Rebecca (darling wife).

Who should play you in the film of your life?

Hugh Grant, but I'd have to direct him.

Career highlights

Rock star, cable TV, mobile phones, and finally, our wonderful medium, the interweb.

Fictional hero

Top Cat.

Hidden talent

I can sing How Much Is That Doggy In The Window? backwards.

Best job outside advertising

Shortlived drag artist.

Lowdown

Two years spent at the helm of the IAB would be enough to turn anyone's hair grey. Trying to balance the needs of media owners and agencies is not an easy task. Phillipson has a reputation for being a bit hard to talk to, but his measured approach does seem to work, particularly with advertisers.

Most expensive purchase

My Novice Hurdler (the horsey).

Why are you good at what you do?

Natural charisma, and a genuine love of all things media? and I'm good with children.