This Is What I Do: George Patten, Accenture

What does your job involve?
I help our staff across the world drive media value for their clients using our media optimisation tools. I also investigate ways to build on Accenture Marketing Science's market leadership in the US and Europe, and to increase its penetration across Asia and in developing countries.

What's it like working at Accenture Marketing Sciences?
Interesting, varied and never dull. At any given time you could be working on an array of briefs, ranging from an international media agency review to researching how one of the UK's largest advertisers could make their media spend go further.

What qualifications and experience do you need?
The ability to mediate between client and agency to get the best out of all parties is enormously important.

How do you spend a typical day?
As one of the world's largest media consultancies, we talk to many of the biggest advertisers about their businesses. These conversations range from understanding their future plans and priorities to discussing how we can help move their businesses forward.

What's the best thing about your job?
The talented, creative people I work with and the sheer number and variety of clients. A traditional media agency might have one big automotive account, but we work with many such clients in the UK alone.

And the worst?
The commute, as I live outside London. However, I actually find the quiet time useful for catching up on e-mails and reading.

What keeps you awake at night?
Having two kids under the age of five.

Who helped you get where you are?
I have been lucky to work with some of the industry's smartest people. Neil Duncan and Steve Williams at OMD taught me incredible amounts in my early career. And my current leader-ship team of James Walker and Jeffrey Merrihue has helped me continue to develop and take advantage of fantastic opportunities.

Who do you aspire to be like?

James Bond, because he doesn't seem to get jet lag.

Got an interesting job? E-mail harriet.dennys@haymarket.com

This article was first published on Media Week