Brand manager of the week: Lauren Brooking

- Describe yourself in three words.

Energetic, curious and creative.

- How would you define marketing?

A way of igniting people's imagination and desire to purchase products and services.

- What would you be if you weren't a brand manager?

I'd probably be an industrial designer, or I'd love to work for an F1 team.

- What advice would you give someone starting their marketing career?

Be curious about consumers and find an area of marketing that gets you out of bed each morning.

You need strong business acumen and creativity.

- What was your first job?

Product designer at Mars, working on the design of the Galaxy chocolate bar.

- What was your finest hour?

Launching Vaseline Lip Therapy Ltd Edition Creme Brulee last year in Selfridges. It went on to become the fastest-selling product in the store's history.

- If you were a brand, what would you be and why?

One that takes something ordinary and makes it fun and quirky, such as Mini or Benefit make-up.

- What is your favourite ever marketing campaign?

'Diet Coke break'. Even now, I think this is how a lot of women remember the brand.

- What is your all-time favourite slogan?

'Only Smarties have the answer'. It's timeless and just rolls off the tongue.

- What marketing trend is dominating your job at the moment?

Limited editions, getting men to understand why they need to look after their face, and the growth in crowd-sourcing product or pack developments.

- What hobbies do you have?

Going to the gym, skiing, socialising, live music, and exploring at the weekends.

- What's your favourite pub?

The Ferry Inn in Salcombe, Devon. It reminds me of summer days by the estuary.

- If you could get tickets to any event, what would it be?

The Singapore F1 Grand Prix.

This article was first published on marketingmagazine.co.uk