Ian Brocklesby, marketing manager UK and Ireland, Continental Airlines
Education: 10 O’levels and three A’Levels in history, ancient history and economics. Received a BA Honours Degree in economics studies at King’s College, Durham and then went on to get a postgraduate diploma in applied psychology at Liverpool University.
Career path: joined advertising agency Ogilvy and Mather in 1967 as a research executive, then moved into account handling and dealt with the advertising accounts of UK, European, Far East and African clients. During this period, Ian spent two year in Kuala Lumpur. Extensive business travel sparked Ian’s interest in moving into travel as a career. When he left advertising, he became the worldwide management supervisor, with a seat on Oglivy and Mather’s London board. Ian then joined Delta Airlines as advertising manager for Europe in 1993, later rising to regional director for European marketing and communications, with responsibility for advertising, promotions and sponsorship. He then took on his current post as marketing manager for UK and Ireland at Continental Airlines in November 1998.
Advice for people wishing to develop a career in airlines or advertising: “Neither the airline or the advertising industries are easy to enter. A person should aim for the position they want, but if that provesdifficult, they should enter the industry of their choice in whatever capacity they can. Then, if they show enthusiasm and work hard, they can persuade the company to let them transfer.”