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Tech PR blogger Paul Stallard has tagged me to list three communicators, living or dead, who have most influenced my way of thinking professionally and personally.

So here goes…

First one I’ll choose is Eugen Beer. Eugen was the founder of my first agency Beer Davies who were responsible for some fantastically extravagant PR stunts and campaigns such as Mattel’s Pink Street and the Cup-a-Soup comedy challenge. Eugen, more than anyone, has shaped my creative approach and taught me to stand by my convictions even when client’s raise eyebrows at our thinking.

Secondly, Oasis. These guys are a dying breed, a band that played music for the love of it and wouldn’t be sugar-coated by any producer, manager or record label. They said what they wanted, what they believed in and didn’t care who disagreed (or agreed for that matter). Oasis taught me one thing, consumers and the media will always forgive true talent.

My final selection is two-for-one: Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. Over the past few decades these two have become masters at using the media to achieve business success. And one couldn’t have done it without the other. The media love rivals and these two recognised that and have been playing the PR game ever since.

I tend not to invest too heavily in inspirational figures, which is why my selection was quite tough to reach however it’s quite fun to reflect from time to time and think about who has made me the PR I am today!

Who’s next? Well I’m going to tag Joel Cere, Candace Cuss and Will Sturgeon.