How to get ahead in advertising

Love what you do, is Ms Snowball's advice

After graduating from Birmingham University in 1981, Cilla Snowball moved straight into the world of advertising where she joined Allen Brady Marsh.

In 1983, she moved to Ogilvy and Mather before heading off to Abbott Mead Vickers nine years later. There she moved up the ranks to take the post of chief executive, then chairman in 2004.

What was your first car?

I bought an orange Citroen 2CV in my final year at university. It was always breaking down, but I was forgiving.

The bonnet catch was bust and at speeds over 50mph - which were very tricky to achieve - the bonnet would fly up and block the windscreen and my vision.

But I loved that car, until it went to the scrapheap.

I really had my eye on an orange MGB Roadster Convertible. Or more accurately, the very handsome driver of the MGB Convertible, a wonderful chum on a huge Uni grant from Lucas - hence the flash car.

What was your first job?

I was a waitress at The Trumpet Inn, Stafford. It was a Toby Inn - all plastic and set menu, prawn cocktail, steak and chips and black forest gateaux.

The pay was irrelevant but the tips were incredible, especially at Christmas.

I have fond memories of laughter, nylon uniform, a tiny kitchen, gallons of double cream and brown crockery.

What was your first house?

A terrible flat in Shepherd's Bush, which was burgled virtually weekly, with no subtlety.

One day the entire front door was crushed to pieces. Terrifying to live in.

I can't remember the precise cost, but it was a bad buy in pretty much every respect.

What's the best bit of business advice you've had?

To do what you love and do it well. To be yourself. To understand that, in the end, business is about relationships.

Who is your biggest inspiration?

My three children - their energy, the way they see things, their amazing talents and personalities. They are my pride and joy.

What's the biggest challenge facing business now?

The war for talent.

What can the government do to boost business?

The regulations governing both food and alcohol advertising have rightly been a focus of much recent attention.

Following the publication of the recent White Paper on Public Health, we were delighted to see that the government is prepared to work with industry on a behavioural change campaign to promote a healthy diet and active lifestyle.

We've been championing this for some time and share the food industry's desire to work with government on a constructive agenda.

What business story has grabbed your interest recently?

The future of Sainsbury's, our much respected and admired client of 25 years.

We want them to thrive. They helped shape our agency. We believe in their brand.

What was the proudest moment of your career?

Getting a job at AMV in 1992. Walking into reception on my first day, feeling truly pleased as punch to be working there at last. Feeling proud, but also staggered, by the talent around me.

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Established in 1977 by David Abbott, Peter Mead and Adrian Vickers advertising and marketing group AMV was taken over by US group BBDO in 1998 in a £346m deal.

Now known as AMV.BBDO, the group employs 300 staff and services 40 international and domestic clients.

Some of the group's more famous campaigns include the recent stop smoking ads for the Department of Health and Guinness Extra Cold.