The Source: Andy Gulliman

Saatchi & Saatchi’s executive broadcast director Andy Gulliman counts wet wipes and Bordeaux reds among his must-haves, models himself on Jack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets, loves London as much as life itself, and loves to be lost in music – especially if it’s on the BBC Radio 6 playlist 

What is the most creative advertising idea you’ve seen in the last few months?

Seeing Meet The Superhumans win at the British Arrows. It may sound predictable, but ever since we did a film with some of these athletes and I read their casting sheets, I have been in total awe. This film shows the rewards for dedication and passion, obviously, for the cast, but each time I see it I feel the passion from the production and all its shoot crew and post crew. The producers on this film should be very, very proud of what they have delivered.

And another more recent spot that has registered with me was, BGH Summer Hater. It’s simple but special. 

What’s your favourite website?

I feel like I’m supposed to answer NotCot.org, which sits in my bookmarks, but it’s rarely used. To be honest, the website I would credit as being my fave is promonews.tv.

What website do you use most regularly?

Apart from YouTube and work-related sites, its Capferret.fr. For me, this site is the antidote to the politics that come with the job. This site makes me think of perfect times with Mrs G, the three little Gs and the friends that use the house like a bloody hotel.

Mac or PC?

Everything’s Mac but I’m always PC.

What product could you not live without?

Wet wipes! Three kids in fours years puts a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘shit production’. And we now have Stanley the puppy who is busy making my house his own. We should have called him La Trine. After that it would be… Bordeaux reds, Levi’s 1955 Big E’s and series 5 of Breaking Bad.

What product hasn’t beeninvented yet that would make your life/job better?

A slow motion button for life. Things are always moving too quickly. I want to be able to stop, grab a pen and make notes of some of the things the kids say and some of the moments that happen. I want to see things back frame by frame so we can all laugh about them again. And for work, it would allow people to get what they really want in the time they haven’t got.

What track/artist would you listen to for inspiration?

I can’t cope with silence. You’re not giving enough space for my track listing… so to simplify just print the BBC6 Music playlist and Jo Whiley’s playlist. I find inspiration in their track choices all the time… for example this morning they’ve had Dexy’s, Ramones, Public Service Broadcasting, Small Faces, Public Enemy, The Charlatans AND Liam Lynch… How inspiring is that for one morning? But if I hear any track by Biffy Clyro I instantly lack any form of creativity, inventiveness, innovation, ingenuity, genius, imagination, originality, artistry, insight, vision, finesse and flair for the entire length of that track.

What’s the best film you’ve seen over the last year?

The Simpsons Movie with the kids. Simply for the way it’s influenced our country walks. Hearing the family (apart from Mrs G) quoting Homer as we trek over the Dorset countryside pretending we’re walking from Alaska to Springfield gives (only) me a sense of pride in what I have created. AND we haven’t met boob lady yet. Then there’s Untouchable with Mrs G.

Who’s your favourite photographer?

Eve Arnold and William Claxton.

What show/exhibition has most inspired you recently?

We just had a private tour of the Reina SofÍa in Madrid. Seeing Picasso, Miro and Guernica was a real treat. The architecture of the new building is amazing.

If you could live in one city, where would it be?

I’d live in any major city knowing that I’d return to London. London gives so much inspiration so easily. Walking across Hampstead Heath and having a pint in the Holly Bush is inspiring. Watching the kids skateboard under the Westway is inspiring. Being in Soho early and watching the place wake up and come alive is inspiring. Being lost in East London is inspiring and being the only one in baggy Levi’s is aging!

What fictitious character do you most relate to?

Melvin Udall, the character played by Jack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets. Ask anybody who knows me and they’ll tell you my routine and probably tell you the very few shops I use and what I buy.

What’s your favourite magazine?

Saturday’s Guardian; Saturday starts with Tim Dowling’s page. GQ and Q magazine.

Who’s your favourite designer?

Sir Peter Blake, the Godfather of British Pop Art. I love the way he is fascinated by everyday objects. Charles and Ray Eames for creating the house I dream of living in.

Ferdinand Alexander Porsche for creating the first draft of the 911 back in 1963 that still dictates the iconic shape of a 911 built in 2013. Margaret Howell for totally understanding what I like. And of course… Mrs G.

If you could have been in any band, what band would you choose?

The Rolling Stones, of course.