This week's Adland Rockstar is: Jocelyn Chabanis, art director, Euro RSCG India.
1. Why did you get into advertising?
I was quite an impressionable kid. So, I started reading about manipulation processes, social psychology, linguistics and politics when I was in high-school in order to understand why. This led me to communication studies, then advertising school and I ended up as a creative.
2. What is it that you like best about your job?
It's the only job where you can say, "I think we should use a giant talking robot-tomato that can fly" and not look stupid. Well, not too stupid.
3. If you were stuck in a desert island, what is the one thing that you would like to have with you?
My collection of Tiki mugs. I would take pride in drinking my coconut juice in style.
4. Which is the one book that you can re-read any number of times?
"Beautiful Losers" by Aaron Rose and Christian Strike. It's one of the best art books I've ever read, documenting the rise of underground art coming from the skateboard scene in the 90s and 2000s; from a "historical" point of view and with an accurate aesthetic analysis. This book showed me how independence of thought and not complying to the rules were important, and not only in art.
5. Who is the one person in advertising that you would like to have dinner with?
I don't really think of advertising people as people I admire, but more as co-workers. So to choose someone, I'd say Sarabjit Singh Chadha (copywriter with Euro RSCG and a part of 'our' band...Menwhopause) because he's good fun.
6. Who is the one person outside of advertising that you would like to have dinner with?
Ian McKaye, owner of Dischord Records and member of Minor Threat and Fugazi. He's one of the few men who has managed to live his life based on his values. And to create something from it, without ever trying to spread them around. He's not that fun, though!
If you've missed any of our previous Adland Rockstars, you can check them out below: