Hardworking, decisive, northern – meet Martin Heaton Cooper, vice president of commercial development at Discovery Networks UK and Ireland.

1 – Summarise yourself in three words.

“Hardworking, decisive, northern.”

2 – What made you want to pursue a career in media and marketing?

“I fell into it to be honest. A friend used to work for ITV sales (TSMS) almost 25 years ago and he got me an interview with Tom George at Zenith Media. Tom had the good judgement to snap me up right away.”

3 – Describe your ideal client.

“The ones that trust us and let us do what we do best – create fantastic content.”

4 – Name your favourite ever campaign.

“The Hamlet ‘Photobooth’ for Hamlet Cigars. I love the fact that whilst it is obviously very dated now (a TV ad for cigars!) it is still really funny – the timing is comic genius.”

5 – Which award win are you most proud of, and why?

“When the Discovery Channel UK team won Media Week’s ‘Media Brand of the Year’ for 2015. We were up against Instagram, Time Out, Twitter and Vice Media. A very proud day for us all.”

6 – Who is the best industry speaker you have seen?

“I like Lindsay Clay, Thinkbox’s CEO – she combines wit and intelligence to get her points across whilst remaining objective at all times.”

7 – Which is your favourite social media platform, and why?

“I have accounts on a lot of them – but still drift back to Twitter, even though we beat them at the Media Week Awards. Sorry Twitter.”

8 – Where is your ideal meeting venue?

“Any of the Soho Houses. Even their farm for that matter.”

9 – What is your favourite restaurant?

“Changes all the time – this week I like Picture on Great Portland Street, and in general any of Jason Atherton’s.”

10 – What is hot in international media and marketing, and what is not?

“HOT: Content creation – perhaps it has been for a long time, but it currently seems hotter than ever.

“NOT: Bad social media content – when it is overly commercial it produces low views. Obvs.”

11 – Which industry buzzword would you ban?

“Native. There are already other names for it.”

12 – Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?

“I tend to follow my instinct when opportunities arise. So I could still be at Discovery or I might have a Chilli Farm in Cumbria – so long as I’m happy.”

13 – Finally, who would play you in a movie of your life?

“Simon Pegg.”