Interview with Amanda Mackenzie

We dug into the archives to find an interview from 2012 between Project Everyone's Amanda Mackenzie and Elen Lewis.

Do you think of advertising and communications as more of an art or a science?
Inextricably both.

What is the most important thing to remember when building a brand?
Brand is as a brand does.

What are the qualities of a world class marketing leader?
The same as any world class leader of anything – the ability to paint a compelling vision of the future, engage others in it and then deliver it. (Future Engage Deliver Model: Steve Radcliffe)

Who has been your biggest influence?
So many wonderful people: Robin Wight, Cilla Snowball, David Puttnam, Judith Thorne, Peter Davies, Dianne Thompson, Steve Radcliffe, and my husband John Poorta.

What motivates you through your busiest, most challenging days?
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger; dress smart and smile from behind; if all fails I play Hurray for Hollywood very loudly on the piano (very therapeutic!).

If you could give a word of advice to your 18-year-old self, what would you say?
Trust your instincts, be tenacious, happy and confident.