Interview: Bristol Planning Director Keith Nichol

My first attempt to get industry professionals to answer a few questions beginners have while starting their careers. Keith Nichol - Owner, Planning Director in Flourish, Bristol. He has worked on a wide range of both commercial and not for profit organisations and been in the industry for over 20 years. During my work experience I was fortunate to have a mentor who has so much to offer and gain a fraction of this expertise.

When would you say is the best day/ time to apply?

In June or after christmas in January. This is when a lot of companies have their new yearly budgets set, so they know how much money is available for hiring new staff for the year. Recruitment Cycle

And Thursday according to me is a good emailing day.

What are the one/ two mistakes people do in interviews apart from the usual dress well, act well?

That does't happen often, they don't let me interview around here [laughs].

I would say, research about the clients. Although this is an essential one, many times new comers don't know much about the clients and the past work done for them. We (interviewers) don't expect the applicant to know every detail but they should at least do their homework about the important ones.

Second one is arrive only 5 mins early or on time. Don't be 30 mins late but definitely not 30 mins early. This creates an awkward situation for both the interviewer and the interviewee. If you are early, just get a coffee or spend time around the area.

If you had to pick an instant winner what would it be? (thing you really liked in an application/ work ethic)

The originality and ability to come up with fresh ideas, and maturity in terms of work ethic are very important. Apart from that, it is impressive to have a real world knowledge about the way things are done and being up to date with whats happening in the industry.

When agencies hire, they rather have people whom they don't have to teach from the beginning.

Till date, which has been the most favourite thing you’ve worked or something you're proud of?

Starting the film production unit has been amazing. We started with small stuff and have been gradually taking on bigger projects. Currently our teams are we're filming in China and Brazil.

Other than that, Black friday christmas and the work done for S7 Samsung launch have been great to work on.

If you could choose 3 brands to for, who would you choose?

That is a tough one.

I'd love to work on Arsenal Football Club account. For the free ticket and merchandise.

Second would be BMW. Just because they are a big client and there's a lot of room for everything. BMW has a very interesting and unique customer buying journey.

I would also really like to handle a big sports event. We worked on Coca Cola's campaign for Olympics but that was only online advertising. But, It'd be nice to be in charge of something big like event tickets and merchandise programs adverting and promotion.

If you weren’t into planning, what would you do?

I'd be a groundsman at a football ground, I like cutting grass it's very peaceful.

Or I'd be a postman.

One tip/ favourite quote you'd like to share?

I have two favourite quotes.

"Insisting on certainty leads to ineluctably to arrogance and dogma based on ignorance."

And, "Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer."