Colin Russell: "We're always striving to provide brands with the best solution.”

Let’s break the ice with a drink, what are you having?

Nothing fancy, just a pint of Heineken.

Where do you want to travel to next?

When it’s safe to do so, I’d love to go to Italy. I’ve always wanted to go to Italy and love Italian food so it’s definitely on the list. If not Italy, over to London to an Arsenal match. It’s been far too long.

What would you never leave the house without?

My keys and my mobile phone.

What is the worst job you’ve done? 

I’ve enjoyed pretty much all my jobs, but the worst would have to be my first when I was 15 and was too young to get a proper job in a shop or supermarket. I was working on Saturday and Sunday mornings for two hours in an Italian restaurant restocking things in the kitchen and cleaning the floors before they opened. I lasted about three weeks before packing that in.

If I wasn’t Senior Agency Account Manager at Reach, I would be…

Most likely still working in a media agency. I had been working in Spark Foundry up until one of the lads in The Star approached me about a position. 

Last time you cried?

Probably watching Marley & Me. I love dogs, so watching that was a tough watch.

Most overused word or phrase?

Man. I tend to say that a lot when talking to friends or in texts.

Breakfast, lunch or dinner?

Always dinner. It’s by far the best meal.

Favourites of 2020?

There weren't a huge amount of favourite moments with everything going on, but one of my favourite moments was when I surprised my parents after the first long lockdown. I turned up at the house pretending to be a delivery man with a hat, face mask and big box. I hadn’t been over to see them for about 3-4months and they weren’t expecting me for another few days. They enjoyed the surprise. 

Another favourite moment was Arsenal winning the FA Cup. It’s not great being an Arsenal fan lately, so I need to celebrate the successes when they come along...however infrequent they are.

How do you switch off from work?

If there’s a football match on, I’ll definitely be watching that. If there’s no football on, it will be watching a TV series. Loving ‘Mare of Easttown’ at the moment, it’s brilliant.

Name the film you’d watch again tonight?

Anything with either Paul Rudd or Will Ferrell. The both of them are gas.

Best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Don’t let the little things in life stress you out. 

After the last year and a half we’ve all had, I think that’s even more applicable. Some things in life just aren’t worth stressing over.

If you could go back in time, where would you go?

I’d go back to the start of the 2015/2016 season and put a sizeable bet on Leicester winning the league at 5000/1.

What would your superpower be?

My superpower would be to be able to control time and slow it down, pause it or speed it up. Either that or teleportation. It would be handy being able to teleport wherever you wanted.

What’s your favourite question to ask people?

Are you watching any good TV series at the moment? (I’m always looking for a good recommendation).

To the audience: You should collaborate with us/our newsbrands because… we can offer brands the biggest reach within our market, while always striving to provide brands with the best solution in a creative and cost effective manner.