Hi Zac, I’m running a new thread on my blog called Six Questions With… Seth Godin was the first cab off the rank, I was wondering if you’d like to be next? If so:

1. You’re young. The economy is fucked. Scared?
   1. Discuss.
2. You could have been a firefighter. Or a social worker. Or someone who rescues kittens. You chose marketing instead. Why?
3. Is there anything in particular about the world that you think needs changing and have you got any plans to do anything about it?
4. I have a new brand of toothpaste and I want you to buy it. Lots of it. What do I need to do?
5. Choose:
   1. Fame
   2. Fortune?

Cheers,
Matt

—

Following Seth? Biggest anti climax ever.

But yeah, I’ll send them through tomorrow. Good idea by the way.

Zac

—

1. Fuck no!

2. Is that even a question? Well, I’ve never lived in a time where the economy has suffered this badly, so perhaps it’s just that I’m naive. But as a Uni student, things aren’t going to affect me too heavily. In two years time when I graduate, I imagine things will just be starting to pick up with many doors opening for employment. Hopefully that’s just about the time the housing marketing is at its cheapest too. So no, I’m not too scared at all.

3. While kitten rescuing is a fall back in case the economy turns worse than I thought, a teacher at high school and a lecturer at Uni had a big influence on me. I decided to do a business degree because of the first and then major in marketing because of the second. Marketing is cool, creative, controversial and constantly changing (how’s that for some alliteration!). For me, there’s no question, this is my passion and I want to spend the rest of my life being a part of it.

4. Transport etiquette is a big one. If only there were more people like Martin Merton. But big worldly issues aside, I think consumer interruption is a problem and if the industry doesn’t change soon then the consumers will force it. As to what I plan on doing about it, I think social media, remarkability and tribal leadership are answers, all of which I’ll continue to push.

5. For me, that honestly wouldn’t be too hard. I only buy my current brand because that’s what my Dad bought for me as a teenager. Be remarkable and give me some social currency and you’ve probably converted me for life. Get the CEO to send me a witty hand written letter. Ask me if I want a giant eight foot toothbrush for no particular reason (I’d say, “Yes”). Heck, even getting the Marketing Manager to drop a comment on my blog would be a good place to start. But if you produce a thirty second spot, radio commercial or print ad, you don’t have a chance.

6. Secretly, deep down, everyone one wants both. Fame within the industry I’d like, but only for the right reasons. And enough fortune to live happily and help others would be nice too. But at this stage in my life, fortune for enough beer would probably be adequate.

How’s that?

Zac