Creative Q&A: Tribal DDB India's Abhishake Das

How did you get into advertising?

Accidentally. I was looking to make some quick bucks. Actually, I had a decent hand at free-style sketching. So one day, I was sketching away at a nearby coffee shop, and this complete stranger asks me if I could illustrate? I thought I could, and followed him to this three-person set-up of an agency, where I was given an assignment. During the assignment, the owner, an ex-Ogilvy creative director, asked me if I could write copy. I had no clue what copy was. I was however, an English honours graduate, so I had a good grasp of the language.

He then gave me The Copy Book, and my professional life was born.

What was your first ever ad?

It was a recruitment ad for a photo album manufacturer. The headline read, ‘Frame your career.’ I’m not very proud of it, of course :)

What was your first ever job?

AB&M Communications

What was your worst job ever?

Interactive Avenues/ Reprise

What does it take to impress you?

Passion and endurance. We are in a profession where we have to dream, but unfortunately those dreams are mostly gunned down. So it is important that one must always stay passionate while enduring this battle to create something better. 

Where do you go to be inspired?

On a ride. There’s nothing more inspiring than a whiff of fresh air, the thumping sound of my bike and the human landscape of India.

If you can spend one day with a celebrity/ historical figure, who would it be?  Why?

Douglas Adams. I would love to understand and comprehend the method to his madness, and possibly train under him to learn his trademark humour. 

What is your guilty pleasure?

Touring on my bike. I just love the proverbial wind in my proverbial hair.

If you have to come back as an animal, what would you be? Why?

As an eagle, flying beyond the clouds, nesting on mountain peaks. And, they mate for life :)

What is the last book you read?

1984, for the umpteenth time. Just can’t put that one down. 

What is the first thing you do when you wake up?

Reach for my packet of smokes, and jog to the throne.

Statutory Warning: Smoking causes cancer. 

Worst haircut you’ve ever had?

My entire life has been a bad-hair day. Until the time I decided to chop it all off. And for the last three years, it’s been smooth sailing.

Describe your typical day.

Wake up. Turn on music. Freshen up. Drink a liter of water. Walk to work. Check my social links and mail. Plan my day on the planner. Glide through the chaos. Have lunch. Dodge con-calls. Hit the gym in the evening. Get back to work. Finish the laundry list for the day. Walk home. Call for food. Write something for personal satisfaction. Try to fall asleep.

If you could change just ONE thing in the world right at this moment forever, what would it be? (Question supplied by Iris’ David Brown)

Religious fanaticism. Nothing good will ever come out of violence, especially fuelled by communal hatred. 

Can you suggest a question for our next Q&A candidate?

If you had the power to become someone else, anyone you wanted to be, who would you prefer to be? And why?