THE JEREMY BULLMORE INTERVIEW

Working Paper No. 7

“If you know your history, then you would know where you coming from, then you wouldn’t have to ask me, who the heck do I think I am.”

Two years ago, I found myself in WPP’s HQ. In between meetings I went for wander.

I walked past a small, corner office and there, Oh, My, God, sitting behind his desk was Jeremy Bullmore.

Trembling a little, I tapped on the door.

“Hello, Jeremy, may I introduce myself?”

“Of course, come in.”

A brief chat ensued.

(If I’m honest, I may have been a little bit fawning but when you meet one of your heroes it’s hard to avoid.)

I had to dash to my next meeting.

As we parted, Jeremy said, “Nice to meet you John. I hope to do so again.”

Buoyed by Jeremy’s farewell, I plucked up courage to write asking if I could interview him.

An hour later I had a reply.

“Of course, John.”

You will find the interview attached.

A couple of caveats:

There’s the buzz of air-conditioning in the background – Jeremy wouldn’t have it turned off for the whole of WPP HQ, just for our interview.

The conversation rambles around a bit and addresses a few parochial issues – e.g. The Guardian newspaper – but we’re both dedicated readers.

There are a few too many ‘errms’ and throat-clearings but, as noted above, I was chatting to a legend.

It’s an hour long; breaking the rule of the 30 Minute University of Planning.

(Gordon offered to transcribe it but that would have meant losing Jeremy’s dulcet tones.)

Caveats offered, I hope you will find this illuminating and if you do, buy his book, ‘More Bull More’ and try to track down the pamphlet to which I refer: ‘Advertising costs half as much as you think it does...’ If you can’t, I could scan and post it; it will cost half as much as you think it does.

If you listen to the legend that is Jeremy Bullmore, “then you would know where you coming from”.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oH0iNgazXKW9uV5gpT-gVssoxlsZr_wL/view?usp=sharing