Harjit Badesha, co-founder and managing director at KBH Digital, is the latest participant in M&M Global’s near-legendary Lucky 13 interview series.
1 – Summarise yourself in three words
“Optimistic, impatient, resilient.”
2 – What made you want to pursue a career in media and marketing?
“I’ve always been into design and tech. I became involved with computers at a young age, and then got into design using desktop publishing software in the days when that was defined as cutting edge. This led to a job in marketing with a bank and it developed from there.”
3 – Describe your ideal client
“Someone who’s clear on what they want, and happy to talk about why they want it.”
4 – Name your favourite ever campaign
“The Guardian ‘Points of view’ advert. I remember distinctly the first time I saw this many, many years ago; it really stuck in my head. It’s a great example of how good advertising never loses its power.”
5 – Which award win are you most proud of, and why?
“I was head of display at Weve and was heavily involved in developing and launching this product. Overall, Weve won a large number of awards, and as part of the team I was proud of how extensively our ground-breaking work was recognised throughout the industry.”
6 – Who is the best industry speaker you have seen?
“Bob Hoffman – the ‘Ad Contrarian’. A man who tells it like it is regarding the industry.”
7 – Which is your favourite social media platform, and why?
“Facebook – for the simple and obvious reason that it is a convenient and easy way to stay in touch with friends and family around the world.”
8 – Where is your ideal meeting venue?
“The rooftop at Soho House Berlin.”
9 – What is your favourite restaurant?
“Hutong at the Shard – the food and the view are hard to beat separately so impossible to beat when combined.”
10 – What is hot in international media and marketing, and what is not?
“What’s hot? Out-of-home – the world’s oldest medium has got a new lease of life through digital and consumers’ mobile connectivity. What’s not? Digital measurement – some media owners marking their own homework (badly).”
11 – Which industry buzzword would you ban?
“Thought leader.”
12 – Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?
“Back in Europe?”
13 – Finally, who would play you in a movie of your life?
“Based on recent delays at airports, probably Tom Hanks in a sequel to The Terminal!”
