The A-List: 2008

Born

29th November 1952

Job

Chairman, chief creative officer

Company

DDB Worldwide

Work Telephone

+1 212 415 2150.

Address

437 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022

Fantasy business partner

Whoever owns the Chicago Cubs baseball team.

How do you off-set your carbon footprint?

Well, I am a fanatical recycler. And I've seen An Inconvenient Truth.

Greatest influence

In business, Keith Reinhard. In life, my wife and sons.

Clubs

None, really. I'm on a few boards.

Favourite gadget

BlackBerry 8800.

Desert island objects

My iPod. A bottle of Sassicaia 1997. A book (one of many) about the American Civil War.

Most-admired politician

Abraham Lincoln. He led the US through its most difficult time with common sense and wisdom.

Favourite media

The New York Times, Vanity Fair, The Sopranos, WXRT-FM, beatles.com.

Biggest risk taken

Maybe I've been naive, but nothing I've done seemed like a risk at the time.

Perfect day

At home, in my garden, with my wife? and a visit from my sons. I'm not a good relaxer, but that's a way to relax.

Who should play you in the film of your life?

Most people would say Albert Brooks. I'd say maybe Greg Kinnear, but I wish it were Brad Pitt.

Career highlights

Everyday, being around talented, passionate people creating great ideas.

Fictional hero

David Bowie. He's been a constantly changing work of fiction.

Hidden talent

I don't have enough talents to hide any.

Best job outside advertising

As a student, I spent a summers working for the Encyclopaedia Britannica, when there was an Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Lowdown

Known for leading the charge at DDB's infamous Cannes parties, Chicago-born Scarpelli marks 30 years in the DDB network this year. In the new procurement-driven world, Scarpelli believes the passport to business effectiveness is pure unadulterated creativity. And with the trucks full of awards DDB has pulled in under his watch, he might well be on to something.

Most expensive purchase

The Aston Martin doesn't count?

Why are you good at what you do?

Give people confidence.