Francesca Davies, group brand manager, Weetabix Ltd was highly commended as Young Marketer of the Year in The Marketing Society’s Awards for Excellence 2010.

Here’s an interview….

What’s your golden rule?

Take people with you; great things in business aren’t delivered single-handed. Concern and responsibility for your marketing plan should permeate all areas of the business. Laying out a clear brand vision is a great way to gain buy in and commitment to make things happen. And when success comes, it does great things for team spirit.

Who has been your biggest influence?

In my second marketing job I was lucky enough to work for someone who taught me the power of great attitude. Ambition, drive, commitment, passion, and responsibility should exist at all levels in marketing. Brilliant marketing skills come only with time and experience, but winning behaviour must form the foundation for all of this.

Which leader do you admire most and why?

Steve Jobs the founder of Apple for his commitment to constantly raising the benchmark for innovation and style.

What advice would you offer other marketers looking to grow old, declining brands?

Take time out to be ruthless with your briefs at the front end; your marketing plan should be rooted in real insight about your brand and consumers. A brief based on these real truths will lead you and your agencies to better creative results. Activities feel joined up and relevant for your audience.

What do you hate most about marketing?

Seeing budgets spent badly.

What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made in your career and what did you learn from it?

Over complicating what we do. Stepping directly into your consumers’ shoes is the best way to do brilliant marketing… how easy is that (?!!)

What’s your favourite word?

Merlot.

What book is on your bedside table?

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Francesca was talking to the Marketing Society on 23rd June 2010

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