The A-List: 2008

Job

Chairman

Company

AKQA

Work Telephone

+44 (0)20 7780 4786.

Address

London, EC1M 4BL

How do you off-set your carbon footprint?

I use public transport more and don't fly as much. But like everyone else, I can do more.

Greatest influence

My parents.

Clubs

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (does that count?).

Favourite gadget

iPhone.

Desert island objects

Notebook, pen and a sailing boat.

Most-admired politician

Anyone who devotes their life to public and social duty is pretty admirable.

Favourite media

The Economist, Entourage, Xfm.

Perfect day

Seeing my parents and spending time with family and friends. I work with a lot of my friends, so most days are good.

Who should play you in the film of your life?

My brother, because he's better looking.

Career highlights

Apple and AKQA.

Best job outside advertising

Working for Apple was an incredible privilege.

Lowdown

AKQA's notoriously dedicated founder began the year by finally parting company with his managing director, Michael de Kare-Silver, selling a majority stake to a US private equity company, and ended it by launching a media planning unit and buying a search marketing business. Phew.

Most expensive purchase

We just bought SearchRev, and that wasn't cheap.

Why are you good at what you do?

I've got a great team.